University of British Columbia researchers have created a new structural system designed to help Vancouver’s future high-rise buildings withstand major earthquakes. Led by Dr. Tony Yang, the team built a one-fifth-scale model of a typical 30-storey Vancouver building and tested it at the International Joint Research Laboratory of Earthquake Engineering in Shanghai, marking a world first for seismic research on concrete-core structures.
The innovative system uses dampers, outriggers, and rocking mechanisms to absorb and dissipate earthquake energy, similar to car shock absorbers, reducing stress on building foundations. This technology aims to prevent the extensive damage and financial losses seen in past earthquakes like Christchurch in 2011.
Vancouver lies in a high seismic risk zone near the Cascadia fault, capable of producing a magnitude 9.0 earthquake. Current building codes protect occupant lives but not the structural integrity, risking severe damage in a major quake. Yang emphasizes that the new technology could keep buildings damage-free, protecting residents’ lives and financial investments tied to their homes.
Though not yet implemented, Yang hopes to collaborate with the City of Vancouver and engineering firms to incorporate this technology into upcoming residential and commercial projects, offering a significant advancement in earthquake resilience.
Source: Swifteradio.com
