Seismic Earthquake Protection

SEISMIC EARTHQUAKE PROTECTION OVERVIEW

We are frequently asked questions regarding seismic retrofitting of buildings where the Cintec™ anchoring systems are being considered. Cintec™ anchors installed in traditional materials provide enhanced seismic earthquake protection against seismic forces. The anchors which induce low bond stresses in the masonry and yet because of their considerable length and perimeter can sustain very large forces without failure due to its seismic earthquake protection.

The anchor installed in a masonry structure can improve (i) the integrity of the wall construction (ii) the wall to wall connection (iii) increase the out of plane bending strength of walls and (iv) improve the capacity of the wall/roof and wall/floor connection.

There is no doubt that the installation of an appropriate pattern of anchors into a traditional building be it framed or cellular masonry will improve its seismic earthquake protection and reduce the risk of loss of life. The extent of the damage to the building obviously depends on whether or not the seismic forces exceed the ultimate capacity of the anchors and its seismic earthquake protection. The size and type of steel anchor, the strength of grout and the diameter of the hole can all be varied to provide the required design parameters and to provide good stiffness compatibility with the masonry and improve its seismic earthquake protection. The bond strength between the grout and the masonry are usually derived from static pull out tests.

In recent years, extensive research and development has focused upon the contribution Cintec™ anchors can and do provide in the fields of Seismic earthquake protection upgrading and seismic earthquake protection repair while still remaining sensitive to the original architecture. Statistically there is little recorded evidence of the behaviour of the Cintec™ seismic earthquake protection  anchor in an earthquake. The system is a relatively recent innovation and the benefits of the improved seismic earthquake protection of the anchor are only now being appreciated.