When designing new architecture in seismically active regions, engineers must carefully consider the types of earthquake-resistant building materials necessary to create a safe and sturdy structure. The entire length of the West Coast, for example, experiences frequent tectonic shifts, so architects and engineers from Washington state to Baja California are commonly faced with this task.
Here are some steps you can take to ensure your project — whether a new build or a refurbishment — can withstand high-wind and seismic waves.
In terms of earthquake safety risks, the most dangerous building construction consists of unreinforced bricks or concrete blocks. This type of construction can easily crumble with any lateral movement, resulting in devastating damages and possibly death.
Effective earthquake-resistant steel structures instead contain features either at the top or at the base of the building to protect against unwanted movement.
Earthquake-resistant building materials such as shock absorbing ball bearings, springs, and padded cylinders give taller structures a buffer zone in the event of a ground shift, while heavy counterweights placed at the top of the building can help to counteract any major swaying.
Designing safer buildings and structures – in the case of an existing building refurbishment – begins with reinforcing the bricks and blocks to remove the immediate risk of collapse. This retrofitting process for older buildings can be done by installing features such as steel frames, diagonal bracing, or roof-to-wall-anchors.
For newer buildings constructed from the ground up, engineers should use structural steel beams or tubes to secure the roof, floors, walls, and base foundation together to provide the most resistance against lateral movement. The taller the building, the more it may require additional technology such as the ball bearing base isolation or counterweight systems mentioned above.
A seismically sound construction hinges on choosing high-quality, earthquake-resistant building materials and industrial part vendors with past experience in earthquake protection for buildings. Before making a selection, builders should do their due diligence in researching examples of different vendors’ past work, including any seismic certifications they may have received.
During the construction of the 73-story Wilshire Grand Center – soon to become Los Angeles’ tallest skyscraper when it opens in 2017 – the development team sought a connection that would preserve the aesthetics of the sweeping curved glass atrium, while ensuring the building was seismically sound.
They turned to Lindapter Hollo-Bolts®, a three-part “High Clamping Force” (HCF) fastener designed to bolt hollow structural steel from one side only. Using over 3,000 Hollo-Bolts®, the construction company easily secured structural steel tubes to the atrium without any drilling or welding. The finished product earned full seismic approval from the City of Los Angeles Research Report (LARR) as well as from ICC-ES in Evaluation Report ESR-3330.
Glaser & Associates, Inc. has been a global pioneer in industrial fastening solutions since 1964, customizing projects throughout a variety of applications to suit each customer’s needs. Its Lindapter Hollo-Bolts® are the most structurally sound steel connections for seismic grade buildings.
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