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Earthquakes pose a significant threat to buildings and infrastructure, particularly in regions along tectonic plate boundaries. Ensuring that structures can withstand seismic forces is of utmost importance when designing buildings in these earthquake-prone zones. One of the most effective construction methods for ensuring earthquake safety is the steel frame structure building.
In this article, we will explore how these buildings protect building safety during earthquakes and discuss the specific features that make industrial steel frame buildings particularly resilient to seismic activity.
In seismic zones, the primary goal of building design is to minimize the risk of collapse and protect occupants during an earthquake. Traditional concrete or masonry buildings, though sturdy, are often rigid and brittle under seismic stress, making them more susceptible to damage. In contrast, steel frame structure buildings have inherent properties that make them particularly suitable for resisting seismic forces.
Steel is a highly flexible material with excellent tensile strength, which allows steel frame buildings to absorb and dissipate energy more efficiently than other construction materials. The combination of strength, flexibility, and durability makes steel frame structure buildings one of the safest building types during an earthquake. This is particularly important for industrial buildings, which often contain heavy machinery, sensitive equipment, or large spans of open space that require specialized construction techniques to maintain structural integrity during seismic events.
Taking Japan as an example, since it is a country prone to earthquakes, the Japanese government proposed a "zero casualty" plan in 1995. This plan required that all buildings should not collapse even in an 8.0 magnitude earthquake. It was from that time that Japan began promoting steel frame structure building nationwide. In 2011, Japan experienced a 9.0 magnitude earthquake, which also triggered a tsunami. The destructive power was 30 times that of the Wenchuan earthquake in China, yet the number of casualties was only one-seventh of Wenchuan's.
This demonstrates the strong seismic resistance of steel frame structure buildings.
Steel has a distinct characteristic: after bearing a certain amount of pressure, it enters a "yield" phase. In this phase, the steel can undergo significant deformation without immediately breaking. The steel used in construction can generally stretch by more than 20%, which means it is highly ductile and not prone to sudden failure, making it one of the toughest building materials.
Additionally, the toughness of steel can be adjusted based on the temperature of its environment, allowing it to maintain good impact resistance under various conditions. When steel frame structure buildings face strong winds or earthquakes, the structure and components can deform to absorb and dissipate external energy, reducing the damage caused by these forces. Compared to concrete constructions, steel structures are less likely to suffer damage to critical parts during major earthquakes, better ensuring the stability and safety of the building.
Some steel frame structure buildings make good use of the "skin effect," which gives them several advantages: they are lightweight, have strong resistance to deformation, and are not prone to collapse. During an earthquake, the shaking may occur in both vertical and horizontal directions, but steel structures, connected by fasteners, form a stable "box." This prevents floors from falling or walls from collapsing due to ground shaking, effectively protecting people's lives and property.
Additionally, the seismic resistance of steel frame structure buildings is reflected in their ductility. When the building experiences vibrations, the joints can deform, reducing the impact of the earthquake on the overall structure. Therefore, using steel structures with good ductility can lower the load-bearing requirements of the building. In other words, a ductile structure can resist the effects of an earthquake through its own deformation.
It is well known that the density of normal steel is about three times that of concrete, but the strength of the steel used in building structures is more than 20 times that of concrete. Therefore, steel is one of the building materials with the highest strength-to-weight ratio. This allows steel structures to achieve larger spans, bear heavier loads, and have a lighter overall weight. For example, in high-rise and super high-rise buildings, the main structure is typically made of steel. This enables greater height and larger indoor usable space while reducing the structure's weight and saving on foundation construction costs.
Since steel structures have a relatively light overall weight, they generate less seismic force compared to concrete constructions under the same earthquake conditions, making it easier to meet seismic design goals.
Simply put, steel structures have very high strength, as well as excellent ductility and toughness. Steel components and joints exhibit good "hysteresis performance" when subjected to repeated forces, which indicates steel's strong plastic deformation capability. In other words, during events like earthquakes, steel structures can effectively resist seismic forces and absorb energy, reducing damage.
Industrial steel frame buildings are especially designed to meet the demands of large-scale operations, such as factories, warehouses, and manufacturing plants. These buildings often have expansive open spaces with minimal internal columns, which makes them ideal for heavy equipment and large machinery.
The seismic design of industrial steel frame buildings incorporates several unique features to ensure that these structures perform well during an earthquake:
Large Spans: Industrial steel frame buildings can span wide distances without the need for internal load-bearing walls, providing an open layout for industrial operations. The steel frame's ability to support large spans while remaining flexible under seismic forces allows these buildings to withstand the ground motions of an earthquake without losing structural integrity.
Heavy Loads: Industrial buildings often support heavy machinery and equipment. Steel's high strength ensures that these structures can bear the weight without compromising safety during an earthquake.
Seismic Upgrades: In areas with a high seismic risk, industrial steel frame buildings can be upgraded with additional bracing, base isolators, and other seismic-resistant features to improve earthquake performance.
These features make industrial steel frame buildings particularly well-suited for earthquake-prone regions, offering both safety and functionality for critical industrial operations.
With nearly 25 years of experience, PTH offers high-strength Q355 steel, advanced laser blanking technology, and a one-stop service for steel frame structure buildings. Our durable and efficient steel frame structure building solutions are designed to withstand various loads and environmental conditions, ensuring long-lasting performance. Contact us today to get a free quote!
