Antiseismic Devices

1. Elastomeric Bearings And Sliding Devices
2. Transpecs

Our experience in construction has taught us to find the most efficient and suitable seismic protection for a project. This protection is based on the following fundamental operational modes:

• Isolation: The principle is to reduce the response that occurs in buildingsin case of earthquake. This is possible thanks to two combined effects:
• Increasing the lateral flexibility by the use of seismic isolators between the foundation and the superstructure, the natural period is greatly increased, reducing the spectral acceleration and hence the seismic forces;
• Dissipating energy in the isolators allows a reduction of the response spectrum that result in a further reduction of seismic forces.
• Connection: Seismic connectors have the characteristic of not only providing very low resistance to slow movements such as those due to temperature and stress-strain variations, but also providing a rigid link between the superstructure and its supports during rapid movements such as those caused by seismic events.
• Using dampers to reduce the effects on the protected structures. These dampers are generally used together with structural isolation bearings to reduce the movement of structures while limiting the forces to which they are subjected.

Solutions for buildings:

• Base isolation (HDRB, LRB, ALGAPEND)
• the stiffness of the building is reduced
• the damping of the building is increased
• the effect of the earthquake is greatly reduced
• the need of local strengthening of the building is minimized
• Energy dissipating bracingscomprising fluid viscous dampers (TRANSPEC SHA, TRANSPEC PDS) or hysteretic dampers (E-PAD)
• the stiffness of the building is increased
• the natural period of the building is reduced
• the energy dissipation is increased
• the effect of the earthquake is reduced

Solutions for bridges:

• Base isolation using:
• high damping rubber bearings (HDRB) or lead rubber bearings (LRB)
• sliding devices (ALGAPEND)
• Additional energy dissipation using:
• dampers (TRANSPEC SHA, TRANSPEC PDS)
• hysteretic devices (ALGASISM PND and PNUD)
• Transmission of seismic effects on more supportsusing mechanical and hydraulic connectors (TRANSPEC S, TRANSPEC SHT)