Futuristic dome home with advanced friction pendulum bearings for earthquake resistance.

Dome Homes, Earthquake-Proof: The Smartest Move for Future-Proofing Your Home?

Kai Mendoza in Tech & Innovation June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how innovative friction pendulum bearings (FPB) are revolutionizing seismic design, making dome homes safer and more resilient against earthquakes."

For decades, base isolation has been a game-changer in protecting structures from earthquakes. By extending a building's fundamental vibration period beyond the earthquake's predominant periods, engineers can significantly reduce the energy transmitted into the structure. Among the various base isolators, the friction pendulum bearing (FPB) stands out with its unique design featuring a concave sliding surface and an articulated slider.

The friction pendulum bearing (FPB) has been lauded as effective isolation equipment. This technology has been applied to K8 single-layer reticulated domes, known for spanning 80 meters. By using vibration reduction analysis with refined element models of FPBs, the seismic performance of spherical reticulated domes with FPBs has been studied, particularly focusing on how column height and section radius affect structural behavior during horizontal earthquakes.

Imagine a home that not only withstands seismic activity but also integrates seamlessly with its environment. Dome homes, known for their structural integrity and energy efficiency, are now being enhanced with advanced engineering to offer unparalleled earthquake resistance. These innovations promise safer, more sustainable living spaces for the future.

How Friction Pendulum Bearings (FPBs) Enhance Earthquake Resistance

Futuristic dome home with advanced friction pendulum bearings for earthquake resistance.

Friction Pendulum Bearings (FPBs) are sophisticated devices designed to isolate a structure from the ground during an earthquake. An FPB primarily consists of a spherical chute, a slider, and a cover plate. The sliding chute connects to the lower support structure, while the cover plate connects to the upper structure. The slider, moving between these components, facilitates the crucial isolation mechanism.

The functionality of FPBs hinges on two key modes: isolation and energy consumption. During an earthquake, a portion of the seismic energy is isolated through the sliding action between the slider and the sliding surface. The remaining energy is dissipated by the friction generated between these surfaces. This dual mechanism significantly reduces the impact of the earthquake on the structure.

Here’s how FPBs achieve superior earthquake resistance:

Spherical Chute: Allows the structure to move smoothly during seismic activity.
Slider: Facilitates the sliding motion, isolating the structure from ground movement.
Energy Dissipation: Converts kinetic energy into heat through friction, reducing the overall impact.

Recent studies have demonstrated that structures equipped with FPBs exhibit substantially reduced seismic responses. The controlled sliding and energy dissipation capabilities of FPBs make them ideal for safeguarding various structures, including dome homes, against seismic threats.

The Future of Earthquake-Resistant Dome Homes

Advancements in seismic isolation technology, particularly the integration of friction pendulum bearings, are paving the way for safer and more resilient dome homes. As research continues, the potential for creating earthquake-proof structures becomes increasingly viable. These innovations not only enhance structural integrity but also promise sustainable and secure living spaces for generations to come.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1007/s13296-018-0169-9, Alternate LINK

Title: Influence Of Column Supports On Seismic Performance Of K8 Single-Layer Spherical Reticulated Domes With Friction Pendulum Bearings

Subject: Civil and Structural Engineering

Journal: International Journal of Steel Structures

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Dewen Kong, Lingling Wang, Liao Wu, Yuxia Zhang

Published: 2018-10-12

Everything You Need To Know

What is the primary function of Friction Pendulum Bearings (FPBs) in the context of seismic design?

Friction Pendulum Bearings (FPBs) are designed to isolate a structure from the ground motion during an earthquake. They achieve this through a combination of a spherical chute that allows for movement, a slider that facilitates sliding, and energy dissipation via friction. This design significantly reduces the energy transmitted into the structure, thereby enhancing its earthquake resistance. The FPBs are especially effective when applied to structures like K8 single-layer spherical reticulated domes, helping to mitigate seismic threats.

How do Friction Pendulum Bearings (FPBs) work to reduce the impact of earthquakes on buildings?

FPBs employ two primary mechanisms: isolation and energy consumption. During an earthquake, the sliding action between the slider and the concave sliding surface of the spherical chute isolates a portion of the seismic energy. Simultaneously, the friction generated between the slider and the sliding surface dissipates the remaining energy as heat. This dual process effectively reduces the overall impact of the earthquake on the structure, making buildings equipped with FPBs significantly more resilient.

What are the key components of a Friction Pendulum Bearing (FPB), and what role does each play?

The main components of an FPB are a spherical chute, a slider, and a cover plate. The spherical chute connects to the lower support structure and allows for smooth movement during seismic activity. The slider facilitates the sliding motion, which is crucial for isolating the structure from ground movement. The cover plate connects to the upper structure. During an earthquake, the slider moves along the spherical surface, allowing the building to shift, while friction between the slider and chute dissipates energy.

In what ways are dome homes being enhanced to make them earthquake-resistant, and why is this significant?

Dome homes, known for their inherent structural integrity and energy efficiency, are being enhanced with advancements like Friction Pendulum Bearings (FPBs). FPBs are integrated to provide superior earthquake resistance by isolating the structure from ground motion and dissipating energy. This is significant because it creates safer, more sustainable living spaces. Furthermore, the application of FPBs to structures like K8 single-layer spherical reticulated domes showcases the potential for creating earthquake-proof buildings, improving structural safety for future generations.

How does the application of Friction Pendulum Bearings (FPBs) affect the seismic performance of K8 single-layer spherical reticulated domes?

The application of FPBs significantly enhances the seismic performance of K8 single-layer spherical reticulated domes. Studies using vibration reduction analysis with refined element models have demonstrated that FPBs reduce seismic responses. The FPBs' ability to control sliding and dissipate energy makes them highly effective in safeguarding these domes against horizontal earthquakes. The seismic performance is also affected by factors like column height and section radius, which are considered during the design and analysis phase to optimize the dome's behavior during seismic events.