16/02/2023
As we continue to face the threat of earthquakes in our communities, it's essential that we consider innovative solutions to protect our buildings and structures. Seismic isolation is one such solution that has been proven to be effective in reducing the impact of earthquakes on buildings.
Seismic isolation involves placing flexible bearings or shock absorbers between a building and its foundation, which decouples the building from the ground and reduces the transmission of seismic waves. This technique can reduce the deformations of a structure by up to 80% in case of severe earthquakes.
The use of seismic isolation has been widely applied in earthquake-prone countries like Chile in the residential, office, hospital, and industrial fields. It's particularly effective for buildings that are located in areas with high seismic activity or are particularly vulnerable to earthquake damage, such as hospitals, schools, and high-rise buildings.
Engineering is known for providing solutions to problem and as such we will continue to invest in the safety and resilience of our communities.
Let's continue to explore new and innovative solutions to protect our buildings and communities from the impact of natural disasters.
The video compares the performance of one building with isolation and another without isolation, in the face of a severe earthquake.
video credit: Giuseppe Masanotti
