+
Seismic Isolators : Isolating the catastrophe
Technology

Seismic Isolators : Isolating the catastrophe

Though 81 percent of the strongest earthquakes on earth occur along the circum-Pacific seismic belt, which is often referred to as the "Ring of Fire." The Alpine-Himalayan seismic belt extending up to Andaman-Nicobar island region, is also known to be one of the seismically active belts of the world.

Due to a surge in development activities brought on by urbanisation, economic expansion, and the globalisation of India's economy, the risk of earthquakes has increased. After an earthquake, severe financial losses that cause the local or regional economy to collapse could have long-term negative effects on the entire nation. In the event that a megacity like Delhi or Mumbai is affected by an earthquake, this effect would be amplified even further.

All the elements of the built environment including tall buildings have to constantly remain in the shadow of tremors which can cause havoc, in such cases use of seismic isolators can reduce the intensity of damage caused by an earthquake and minimise the loss of life and property.

Seismic isolation is the process of installing isolation devices beneath a building to shield it from major earthquakes. Japan has used it to good effect. The number of seismic isolated buildings exceeds 4000. The National Museum of Western Art in Tokyo was built in 1958 by Shimizu Corporation and was originally designed by Le Corbusier, a well-known architect of the 20th century. In 1998, the seismic isolation retrofit was used to renovate this museum . The seismic isolation retrofit was first implemented in Japan at the National Museum of Western Art in Tokyo.

Since the 1980s, the seismic isolation method has been studied and used in buildings. The columns and beams of the conventional earthquake-resistant design are constructed to be sturdy and adaptable enough to withstand earthquake motions. This method is used to design and construct the vast majority of buildings. When a typical building experiences a powerful earthquake, it may be able to avert collapse and save its occupants' lives. However, the building's furnishings and equipment will almost certainly fall, and the building's structural components may sustain significant damage.

Under the building, isolation devices are installed to separate the structure from earthquake motions. The building's shaking can be significantly reduced with seismic isolation. Laminate rubber bearings have made it possible to use the seismic isolation method.

In order to lessen the bearings' deformation in the event of an earthquake, the seismic isolation method requires the installation of energy-absorbing devices alongside laminated rubber bearings. Layers of rubber and steel make up a lead-rubber bearing, which has a solid lead plug in the center. The lead plug is a device for absorbing energy. Special rubbers are used in high-damping rubber bearings to significantly dampen motion and dissipate energy.

Across India the feasibility of using seismic isolators needs to be studied carefully. A lot of buildings can use this method to shield themselves from the severe impact of earthquakes. These retrofits should also be a part of the smart cities mission to make existing and upcoming cities smarter.

Though 81 percent of the strongest earthquakes on earth occur along the circum-Pacific seismic belt, which is often referred to as the Ring of Fire. The Alpine-Himalayan seismic belt extending up to Andaman-Nicobar island region, is also known to be one of the seismically active belts of the world. Due to a surge in development activities brought on by urbanisation, economic expansion, and the globalisation of India's economy, the risk of earthquakes has increased. After an earthquake, severe financial losses that cause the local or regional economy to collapse could have long-term negative effects on the entire nation. In the event that a megacity like Delhi or Mumbai is affected by an earthquake, this effect would be amplified even further. All the elements of the built environment including tall buildings have to constantly remain in the shadow of tremors which can cause havoc, in such cases use of seismic isolators can reduce the intensity of damage caused by an earthquake and minimise the loss of life and property. Seismic isolation is the process of installing isolation devices beneath a building to shield it from major earthquakes. Japan has used it to good effect. The number of seismic isolated buildings exceeds 4000. The National Museum of Western Art in Tokyo was built in 1958 by Shimizu Corporation and was originally designed by Le Corbusier, a well-known architect of the 20th century. In 1998, the seismic isolation retrofit was used to renovate this museum . The seismic isolation retrofit was first implemented in Japan at the National Museum of Western Art in Tokyo. Since the 1980s, the seismic isolation method has been studied and used in buildings. The columns and beams of the conventional earthquake-resistant design are constructed to be sturdy and adaptable enough to withstand earthquake motions. This method is used to design and construct the vast majority of buildings. When a typical building experiences a powerful earthquake, it may be able to avert collapse and save its occupants' lives. However, the building's furnishings and equipment will almost certainly fall, and the building's structural components may sustain significant damage. Under the building, isolation devices are installed to separate the structure from earthquake motions. The building's shaking can be significantly reduced with seismic isolation. Laminate rubber bearings have made it possible to use the seismic isolation method. In order to lessen the bearings' deformation in the event of an earthquake, the seismic isolation method requires the installation of energy-absorbing devices alongside laminated rubber bearings. Layers of rubber and steel make up a lead-rubber bearing, which has a solid lead plug in the center. The lead plug is a device for absorbing energy. Special rubbers are used in high-damping rubber bearings to significantly dampen motion and dissipate energy. Across India the feasibility of using seismic isolators needs to be studied carefully. A lot of buildings can use this method to shield themselves from the severe impact of earthquakes. These retrofits should also be a part of the smart cities mission to make existing and upcoming cities smarter.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

97 Per Cent Of Rongjeng-Mangsang-Adokgre Road Nears Completion

Deputy Chief Minister in-charge of public works Prestone Tynsong said in Shillong on 26 August that 97 per cent physical progress had been achieved on the ongoing Rongjeng-Mangsang-Adokgre road being constructed under the Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR). He noted the project was sanctioned in 2017 and that the stipulated time for completion had been 24 months from issue of the final work order. The deputy chief minister informed the assembly that the government had decided to include the remaining work under a World Bank project. In reply to a query from Rongjeng MLA Jim M Sangm..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

First TBM Starts Digging Five Point Three Kilometre Tunnel Under SGNP

The Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) Phase three (B) project has reached a key milestone as the first tunnel boring machine (TBM) began excavation of the first of two tunnels beneath the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). The machine, named Tulsi, started cutting a five point three kilometre bore that will link Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari in Goregaon East with Amar Nagar in Mulund West. Officials issued a statement noting the commencement of tunnelling work under the protected green belt. The twin tunnels are being constructed using mechanised tunnelling methods that aim to limit surface di..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

UP Approves Two Expressways And Rs 240 bn Infrastructure Push

The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approved a series of infrastructure and industrial investment proposals totalling Rs 240 billion (Rs 240 bn), including two major expressway projects, a manufacturing and logistics cluster in Sultanpur and incentives for 11 industrial projects across the state. The decisions, taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, underline the state government’s focus on expanding road connectivity around emerging industrial hubs while attracting manufacturing investment to districts beyond major urban centres. The approvals cover both greenfield expressway c..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code