Shake, Rattle, and Stay

The development of a new high-rise structural system may revolutionize how building is done in earthquake-prone areas.

1 minute read

June 28, 2000, 5:20 AM PDT

By Laura Kraft


A consortium of experts has developed a new structural system. The precast hybrid movement resistant frame, also known as the hybrid frame, will accomodate high-rise buildings during earthquakes, reducing damage to negligible levels. The frame focuses on joints which combine elastic and inelastic action, allowing the building to accomodate the motion of a quake and avoid the residual drift or building lean most structures suffer after a quake. Approved by the Uniform Building Code, the hybrid frame is relatively inexpensive to implement and is already being used in a new 39-story building under construction in San Francisco.

Thanks to Laura Krafft

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