A new earthquake proofing brace system has been successfully tested and offers to help reduce the associated costs of post-quake repairs for socially critical buildings.

Designed to withstand severe “one in 2,500 year event” earthquakes, the technology was invented by Dr. Pouyan Zarnani of Auckland University of Technology (AUT), and investigated by PhD candidate Mohamed Yousef-Beikin in a joint project with Professor Pierre Quenneville of the University of Auckland.

The brace was designed to self-centre the building following a seismic event, allowing for rapid reoccupancy post-event. The idea is that it works to dissipate the force of a seismic event through a friction joint in which the specially grooved plates are clamped using discs springs to provide self-centring. It is now being used in new buildings, including the Hutt Valley Medical Hub.

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According to Dr. Zarnani, the time immediately post a seismic event is when buildings like medical centres and hospitals are crucial, and this technology will help ensure they can safely provide critical services.

“Earthquakes pose a great threat to social and economic welfare, costing society at every event,” Dr. Zarnani said. “Traditional seismic systems often require costly repairs and maintenance or even complete replacement following a seismic event – in some cases leaving the structure at risk for aftershocks while awaiting maintenance.

“Through effective energy dissipation and self-centring functionality of these new seismic connections, structures are able to withstand earthquake sequences without replacement or structural repairs,” he noted.

The development of this technology was funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and Earthquake Commission (EQC) and was supported by Tectonus, Techlam and Trider Engineers.