Seismic shock absorbers for woodframe houses

User rating: 2.3 / 5 after 3 vote(s)

Michael Symans of Rensselaer (left) and Andre Filiatrault of the University at Buffalo with the seismic damper installed inside a bedroom wall of the NEESWood townhouse. Credit: Credit: University at BuffaloParisi
Michael Symans of Rensselaer (left) and Andre Filiatrault of the University at Buffalo with the seismic damper installed inside a bedroom wall of the NEESWood townhouse. Credit: Credit: University at Buffalo/Parisi

As part of a major international project to design more earthquake-resistant woodframe buildings, an engineer from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute will be testing a damping system designed to act as a seismic shock absorber. The dampers, which have never been tested before in wood construction, will be installed inside the walls of a full-scale, 1,800-square-foot townhouse -- the world's largest wooden structure to undergo seismic testing on a shake table.


Full story »
All News summaries from Technology news
All News summaries for June 20, 2006
Goto Archive PhysOrg Forum Goto Archive Video Goto Archive Editorials Goto Archive Free Magazines Goto Archive Newsletter

News Archive