Drexel Engineering Design
Base Isolation
Base isolation is a common technique used to reduce the vibrations of a building during an earthquake. When the building is rested directly on the ground, it will match with the earthquake’s motions and will undergo major destruction. So, if the foundation of the building is isolated from the ground with base isolators, the shock of the motion will be absorbed and have slower oscillations.
Cross Bracing
Cross bracing is a type of frame structure used to improve seismic activity. Bracing, specifically cross bracing, is crucial to helping earthquake resistant buildings because the structure is reinforced when the diagonal support intersects. Cross bracing will also support compression and tension, helping to counteract the pressure and push the forces back to the foundation.
Resonance
All structures have a natural frequency, or resonance, which is the number of seconds it takes to naturally vibrate back and forth. If the frequency of the earthquake’s seismic waves match with the natural resonance of the structure, each additional seismic wave will amplify the building’s vibration, causing violent oscillations and result in a collapsed structure.
Tuned Mass Damper
A tuned mass damper is a heavyweight that is suspended on the inside of a building, helping decrease the oscillations and vibrations from the earthquake. This is because the building can trade its energy to the mass damper that will then lose its energy to friction rather than trading it back to the building,