March 9, 2026 -In 2008, the Municipal Services Building of the City of Glendale, California was seismically retrofitted using an innovative combined vibration control solution: the existing elevated building foundation of the building was put on high damping rubber bearings. A steel plate shear wall (SPSW) consists of steel infill plates bounded by a column-beam system. When such infill plates occupy each level within a framed bay of a structure, they constitute a SPSW system. Whereas most earthquake resistant construction methods are adapted from older systems, SPSW was invented entirely to withstand seismic activity.
July 28, 2022 -For stiffness, strength, and ductility, steel reinforced concrete is a great base material to use when designing an earthquake-resistant home. When compared to other common building materials, ICF consistently outperforms other options. ICF construction starts by being securely anchored to the building’s foundation with rebar.
September 12, 2022 -Unreinforced concrete buildings are another story. The shaking from an earthquake will cause concrete to crack and crumble unless it has steel to reinforce and strengthen it. The steel in the concrete pulls double duty: it makes the wall more ductile and also anchors the wall to the foundation.
January 10, 2022 -For seismic resistance in basement, crawlspace, and crawlspace “cripple” wall foundations,connect the plywood or OSB sheathing to the wall framing, rim joist, and sill plate and anchor bolt the sill plate to the foundation... Document from IBHS explaining how to inspect homes for earthquake ...
Such details provide a deeper understanding and appreciation for Earthquake-Resistant Foundation Conversion.
