Futuristic city skyline protected by friction pendulum bearings.

Is Your Building Ready for Anything? How to Fortify Structures Against Earthquakes

Elliot Brynn in Tech & Innovation June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Explore how innovative engineering, like friction pendulum bearings, can safeguard buildings and infrastructure from seismic events."

In earthquake-prone regions, ensuring the safety and resilience of buildings is paramount. For decades, engineers have explored innovative methods to protect structures from seismic events. Base isolation, a technique that separates a building from the ground's movement, has emerged as a particularly effective strategy.

Among various base isolation technologies, the friction pendulum bearing (FPB) stands out. The FPB is a device with a concave sliding surface and an articulated slider, designed to increase the fundamental period of structural vibration beyond the predominant periods of ground motion. This technology dissipates energy and reduces the acceleration transmitted into the superstructure, offering a reliable means of seismic protection.

Recent research has focused on optimizing the application of FPBs in complex structures, such as single-layer spherical reticulated domes. These domes, characterized by their intricate network of interconnected elements, present unique challenges and opportunities for seismic design. By studying the influence of column supports, engineers aim to fine-tune the performance of FPBs and enhance the overall seismic resilience of these critical infrastructures.

How Friction Pendulum Bearings (FPBs) Provide Earthquake Protection

Futuristic city skyline protected by friction pendulum bearings.

Friction pendulum bearings (FPBs) are a cornerstone in modern seismic isolation, offering a robust defense against earthquake forces. These bearings work by isolating a structure from the ground, mitigating the impact of seismic waves. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how FPBs function:

At their core, FPBs consist of several key components:

Spherical Chute: A concave surface that allows the structure to slide during an earthquake.
Slider: An articulated component that moves along the spherical chute, facilitating the structure’s displacement.
Cover Plate: Connects the bearing to the superstructure, ensuring a stable link while allowing movement.

The mechanism behind FPBs involves two critical modes: isolation and energy consumption. During an earthquake, the slider moves along the spherical chute, isolating the building from the most severe ground motions. Simultaneously, friction between the slider and the sliding surface dissipates a significant portion of the earthquake's energy, further reducing the forces transmitted to the structure. This dual action—isolating and dissipating—makes FPBs highly effective in protecting buildings from seismic damage.

Securing Our Structures: The Future of Earthquake-Resistant Design

As urbanization continues and populations concentrate in seismically active zones, the importance of effective earthquake-resistant design cannot be overstated. The research into optimizing friction pendulum bearings (FPBs) and understanding the influence of structural supports marks a significant step forward in protecting our buildings and infrastructure. By embracing these innovative technologies, we can build safer, more resilient communities capable of withstanding the forces of nature.

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Everything You Need To Know

What is base isolation, and why is it considered an effective strategy in earthquake-prone regions?

Base isolation is a technique used to protect structures from seismic events by separating the building from the ground's movement. This method is effective because it prevents the full force of an earthquake from being directly transmitted into the building. Instead of rigidly connecting the structure to the ground, base isolation allows the building to move independently, significantly reducing stress and potential damage. Technologies such as friction pendulum bearings are used in base isolation systems.

How do friction pendulum bearings (FPBs) work to protect buildings from earthquakes?

Friction pendulum bearings (FPBs) protect buildings by isolating the structure from the ground and dissipating energy during an earthquake. An FPB consists of a spherical chute, a slider, and a cover plate. During an earthquake, the slider moves along the spherical chute, isolating the building from severe ground motions. Simultaneously, friction between the slider and the sliding surface dissipates energy, reducing the forces transmitted to the structure.

What are the key components of friction pendulum bearings (FPBs), and what role does each play in earthquake protection?

The key components of friction pendulum bearings (FPBs) include: a spherical chute, which is a concave surface that allows the structure to slide during an earthquake; a slider, an articulated component that moves along the spherical chute, facilitating the structure’s displacement; and a cover plate, which connects the bearing to the superstructure, ensuring a stable link while allowing movement. The spherical chute allows movement, the slider enables displacement and energy dissipation, and the cover plate provides a stable connection to the building.

How does the application of friction pendulum bearings (FPBs) to complex structures, like single-layer spherical reticulated domes, present both challenges and opportunities for seismic design?

Applying friction pendulum bearings (FPBs) to complex structures such as single-layer spherical reticulated domes presents challenges due to the intricate network of interconnected elements that characterize these structures. Engineers study column supports to fine-tune FPB performance, enhancing the overall seismic resilience. Optimizing FPBs in these complex structures ensures stability and reduces the risk of damage during seismic events.

In what ways does ongoing research focusing on friction pendulum bearings (FPBs) contribute to the future of earthquake-resistant design and resilient communities?

Ongoing research into optimizing friction pendulum bearings (FPBs), including understanding the influence of structural supports, marks a significant advancement in protecting buildings and infrastructure. FPBs offer a robust defense by isolating structures from ground motions and dissipating seismic energy through the movement of a slider on a spherical chute. By embracing these technologies, urbanization in seismically active zones can proceed with greater safety.