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Seismic Bracing In Washington
Here in the Pacific Northwest, everyone should be prepared for earthquakes, due to the significant seismic hazards along the Cascadia Subduction Zone. This 600-mile-long fault increases the likelihood of a deep, intraplate earthquake, which could result in extensive damage to buildings, disruption to utilities and transportation for significant periods of time, and devastating fatalities.
That’s why VIE Engineers provides seismic bracing services in Washington State. While one cannot control whether or not earthquakes occur, one can take advantage of all available opportunities to prepare for such natural disasters. Non-structural bracing is a critical component of earthquake preparedness.
Stabilize Costs And Decrease Disaster
Ground shaking is the primary cause of earthquake damage in Washington. This is primarily impacted by the earthquake’s magnitude, the distance from the epicenter, the type of structure, and the type and thickness of geologic materials at the surface.
Non-structural components are more vulnerable to seismic damage. Seismic bracing secures non-structural systems in order to mitigate risks and damage from such ground shaking. This is because bracing and anchorage allows non-structural systems to move relative to their supports, rather than in resistance to them.
Non-structural seismic design enables such systems and equipment to remain secure throughout quaking, thus decreasing potential costs and disaster from seismic activity. Seismic braces for electrical systems, mechanical systems, HVAC systems, plumbing systems, fire water systems, and more need to be secured with properly designed seismic braces to maintain functionality during and after a seismic event.
Surpassing Earthquake Standards For Design
When you work with VIE Engineers for your seismic engineering needs in Washington state, rest assured that this is more than just a “does it meet code?” assessment. VIE has served as the design engineer of record, seismic bracing installation contractor, bracing procurement and supply entity, and more.
Our 40+ years of experience have given us extensive experience and allowed us to develop innovative solutions that reduce the size and number or bracing through the use of advanced concepts in bracing hysteric behavior. This ensures that each and every one of our clients receives cutting edge work.
We serve the following types of clients:
- Public utilities
- Private owners of facilities
- State owners of facilities
- Federal facility owners
- Emergency management and response entities
- Municipal entities
- Insurance companies
- Investor groups
- And more
Previous Projects
Washington Seismic Bracing Services
Earthquakes occur on a nigh-daily basis in the Pacific Northwest. While most are too small to be felt, let alone cause damage, Washington has the second highest risk in the United States of large, damaging earthquakes. Since 1870, there have been 15 earthquakes greater than M5.0 in the state. Native American history references many events like earthquakes in this area.
Washington is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plate interactions frequently result in earthquakes. The Cascadia Subduction Zone has about a 37% chance of producing a M7.0 or greater earthquake within the next 50 years. Such an earthquake could result in devastating consequences in the state.
The sooner you begin preparing, the better. VIE Engineers provides innovative, code-compliant seismic engineering services to meet our clients’ needs. From seismic retrofits to design and more, count on us to enable you to preserve the life safety of your structures.
Why Choose VIE Engineers?
VIE Engineers are recognized experts in the seismic engineering realm across the United States. From bracing design to equipment seismic certification to grant writing and more, making structures safer isn’t just a business to us – it’s a point of pride and something that we’re honored to assist our clients with.
Having completed seismic engineering projects across the United States and beyond, with a total construction value approaching $10 billion in the past decade alone, when you work with us for your seismic bracing needs, you can rest assured that you’re working with engineers who know the seismic risks Washingtonians face.
Contact us to learn more about the services we provide and what we can do to mitigate risk and preserve the safety of people and property alike.