Sunday, November 11, 2018

6 Common Methods Used By Earthquake Retrofit Companies

By Susan Watson


To modify buildings so that they can withstand seismic activities, seismic retrofitting is usually done. There are several techniques that are usually used. The main aim is to make electives more resistant to ground motions and soil failure. Therefore, in case of harsh climatic conditions that may cause motions, the buildings will be safe from damage. There are so many Earthquake Retrofit companies that are coming up. This is because of the high demand especially in areas that are more prone to earth activities. The following are some of the common techniques.

To begin with, the first PRESS approved technique is called external post-tensioning. This is a method that has been applied for many decades since its approval. In case you are wondering, PRESS is research body that has been there for decades, and it operates in Japan and the U. S of A. The scientists spent sleepless nights looking for ways to curb the impact of seismic activities.

The second technique is called the base isolation that uses base isolators. This is done by collecting structural elements of the building. These elements are then used to substantially decouple the structure of the building from the shaking ground. Therefore, the integrity of the building is enhanced as well as its seismic performance. The seismic engineering technology can thus be applied in any building to make it more resistant.

The third technique is applied using supplementary dampers. During motions in the ground, these supplementary dampers absorb the energy. The energy that is absorbed is then converted to heat. The effects are then damped into the building structures. The building thus remains intact. Nonetheless, continued damping of the heat to the building structures will make it weak overtime.

TMD is another fundamental technique used by retrofitting companies. Tuned mass-dampers are used in this case. Normally, movable weights that are attached to devices that have spring-like structures in them are used. These are applied in skyscrapers to prevent them from swaying during strong winds. Hence, it is very effective in big cities where there are so many tall buildings.

The next technique is called the slosh tank. This is a large container filled with a fluid having low viscosity, water in most cases. This tank is then placed in places in a building where there are significant lateral swaying motions. It is usually placed on the roof, and it counters the local dynamic movements.

The next technique is known as the active control-system. This method is used in buildings that are extremely tall. Usually, most modern buildings are constructed using materials that are light-weight. Hence, during strong winds and earth movements, the structures may start to sway. This method thus makes the buildings stronger.

These and many other techniques are used today to strengthen buildings. Hence, if you happen to live in areas prone to earth movements, soil failure or strong winds, protect your house. You can use the most appropriate method for your structure. The retrofitting company will advise you on the best.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment