Engineering Design Against Earthquake Effect

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Engineering Design against Earthquake effect 1. Introduction Engineers do not attempt to make earthquake proof buildings that will not get damaged even during the rare but strong earthquake; such buildings will be too robust and expensive. Instead the engineering intention is to make buildings earthquake-resistant. Such buildings resist the effects of ground shaking, although they may get damaged severely but would not collapse during the strong earthquake. Earthquake resistant design is therefore concerned about ensuring that the damages in buildings during earthquakes are of acceptable variety, and also that they occur at the right places and in right amounts. To save the building from collapsing some pre-determined parts are allowed to undergo the acceptable type and level of damage. Earthquake engineer has to estimate the strength of the earthquake that could occur in the region. There are certain regions that are known to have more earthquakes, like California in the United States and Japan, where earthquake-resistant design is of special importance. Earthquake-proof Design Example- The Yokohama Landmark Tower Fig 1: The Yokohama Landmark Tower Yokohama Fig 2: Dual tube structure that stabilizes the building against side forces from earthquake and wind. A tube structure is used for the Tower's frame (Fig 2): Outside tube along the building's outside wall and inside tube surrounding the center core. Four corners support the building's periphery. These ensure the maximum safety against side forces from earthquake or wind. Other design concepts contribute to the building's strength: lower than eighth floor is constructed by steel-reinforced concrete, stable proportion spreading towards the base. Also, a 170-ton mobile mass acting as a deadweight is hung from a special pendulum to work as a damping device to counteract the force wind. This

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