Low cost isolation for underdeveloped countries

Even though earthquakes are a global phenomenon, their impact it terms of fatalities is tremendously disproportionate, with most deaths being concentrated in the external page underdeveloped world. The main reason is that structural codes are not followed. This is not because of some “propensity for delinquency”, but merely because earthquake-resistant methods developed in the developed world are too expensive. Therefore, there is an urgent need for methods tailored to the needs of poor countries.

Seismic isolation is nowadays an established and mature method for the protection of structures from earthquakes. However, its cost (more than $10k per bearing plus an extra slab at the isolation level) makes it affordable only to the developed world.

In cooperation with external page PUC Peru and external page CENAIS from Cuba and funding from the ETH for Development scheme, we are exploring low cost seismic isolation methods.

Funding: ETH for Development

Duration: 1.4.2021 - 31.3.2024

PhD Student: Sergio Reyes Arriagada