UBC researchers develop new shock absorption system for highrises to withstand big earthquakes
Technology could protect highrises from from damage due to quakes
A team of researchers at University of British Columbia have developed a new design for highrises that could help tall buildings withstand major earthquakes, while keeping people safe inside.
Led by structural engineering professor Tony Yang at UBC's faculty of applied science, the project aims to prepare cities like Vancouver for the "big one."
"We are expected to have very large earthquakes," Yang said.
Traditional highrise designs rely on a rigid concrete core, which typically place elevators and stairwells inside the central core. But the new system, the researcher says, allows buildings to move and absorb energy through dampers, outriggers and rocking foundations, rather than resist the shaking rigidly.
"These are like the shock absorbers in your car," he said.
"The design philosophy for the traditional system is to protect the people who live inside, but not the status of the building afterwards," he added.
"[With the new system] the owner can feel confident that the building, its occupants and its contents are protected during and after significant shaking."
Earthquake simulations
The system was tested at the International Joint Research Laboratory of Earthquake Engineering in Shanghai, China, a facility with a large enough "shake table" to simulate a full-scale, magnitude-9 earthquake.
Researchers say UBC's one-fifth scale model remained fully functional after more than 100 simulated quakes.
According to Yang, the system allows for lighter construction and more usable space inside the building, making it both more resilient and cost-effective.
"In traditional construction, [builders] put a lot of reinforcement inside central concrete, putting money and labour into it," he said, explaining that the new design philosophy puts less stress on the concrete core and foundation.
He says it may offer long-term savings by reducing the need for large foundations or post-quake repairs, making the new design "much cheaper" to use.
According to a report released by the City of Vancouver last November, modelling suggests a magnitude 7.2 earthquake would cause significant damage to many aging, privately owned buildings — the majority of which are rental properties.
While the new system is aimed at new construction, Yang said it could also be incorporated into some older buildings — though the process would be more complex.
Brent Toderian, Vancouver's former chief planner, says any advancement that makes concrete buildings safer is important — but says builders need to shift toward greener materials.
"Concrete has a large carbon footprint," he told CBC News. "We are in the process of this hopefully continuous transition to more sustainable building materials."
Toderian pointed to mass timber as a renewable and climate-conscious alternative, and said long-term planning should account for both safety and environmental impact.
City of Vancouver Coun. Lisa Dominato said the city is interested in learning more about the research and its potential applications.
"We anticipate more density and development in the future," Dominato said. "If we can benefit from that technology, and the research is happening at UBC, I think it's a good thing for the city."
Looking ahead, Yang says he hopes to work with engineering firms and local governments to explore integrating the design into new building projects.
With files from Renée Lukacs, Shaurya Kshatri and Radio-Canada