Earthquakes pose significant challenges to the structural integrity of buildings. Seismic bracing is one way to mitigate the damage seismic events can cause, as is utilizing Building Information Modeling (BIM) in structural design for smooth integration of various building systems.

Through coordination of seismic bracing within BIM models, it is possible to construct earthquake-resistant structures that prioritize life-safety and mitigate losses in a seismic event.

About BIM

Building Information Modeling is a project management method for construction that centralizes all information related to the design, construction, and maintenance of a structure. When applied to seismic design, it enables integration of seismic requirements from the early stages of the project.

Basically, BIM is a 3D digital blueprint, a guidebook to the various design elements of a building. The virtual model can be completed with all elements you would find in a real building, from walls to windows to plumbing systems to seismic restraints, and more. It also contains information about each element, such as the materials elements are made of, how much they cost, and plans to install and build it.

This enables everyone involved in building design to collaborate efficiently.

About Seismic Bracing

When seismic events occur, damage can be caused by unrestrained non-structural components, like mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. Seismic restraints are engineered to maintain the stability of these systems even when the ground shakes. This mitigates costly damages, improves life safety, and helps maintain system operationality after seismic events.

Engineers can also work with BIM models to locate specific installation spots and prepare models free of unforeseen costs. This allows for more seamless coordination between all consultations and the highest level of accuracy, but is more expensive upfront.

Coordination of Seismic Bracing Within BIM Models

Leveraging BIM models streamlines the modelling process by enabling challenges to be tackled head-on and innovative solutions to be created to conquer space constraints and manage the project effectively.

Seismic force increases with each level a building has, requiring stronger, more closely spaced seismic restraints, such as on upper floors versus ground floors. BIM models account for building height like these, expand product choices, and limit design changes, since changes can be made in the modeling stage, minimizing longer project delivery times as can result from changes during the developed design phase.

BIM makes it easier to account for enough room not just for the MEP systems, but also for their seismic restraints, which need to be installed in specific places, which can sometimes conflict with other utilities and structural elements. Potential conflicts or coordination issues can be addressed before construction begins, saving time and reducing costly on-site modifications..

VIE’s Expertise Involving Seismic Bracing Within BIM Models

VIE works with design teams, which include engineers and architects for buildings, as well as mechanical and electrical contractors, to coordinate building information modeling (BIM). This information is important, particularly concerning seismic bracing to the BIM model for the entire project. By doing this, seismic bracing can be more efficiently installed and more effectively coordinated with other utilities and structural systems throughout the building.

VIE understands BIM models may be revised and updated as projects progress. VIE works with design teams and contractors to keep BIM models consistent with current design and construction at the site.

Seismic Bracing And Engineering In The United States

VIE is proud to be a seismic engineering firm that clients return to, time and time again. With over 40 years of experience, VIE has proven, innovative methods that withstand seismic activity and promote the life-safety of structures. Whether you are in need of coordination of seismic bracing within BIM models or other seismic engineering services, rely on us to help you make buildings safer, more efficient, and better able to withstand the forces of nature.

Throughout the world, seismic activity presents a major threat to transportation networks, like airports. In our previous blog, Seismic Safety For Airports: Crucial Concerns, Impacts, And Mitigating Risks, we did an overview of some of the key factors involved in airport seismic safety. Here, we’ll go further into how earthquake-resistant design enhances airport safety. Let’s get into it.

Keeping Airports Functional With Earthquake-Resistant Design

earthquake resistant design airport safety

Airports are one of the most important transportation networks globally, which means that critical operations, systems, and structures should remain functional following seismic events. Seismic vulnerability increases life-safety issues, and losing performance of airport systems can cause the airport to lose functionality.

This is also dependent on the vulnerability and importance of the system, as the system(s) damaged may result in halting airport operations. If certain systems are damaged, they may not affect the operationality of the airport, such as non-vital supplies and storage facilities. Others may not affect aircraft, but can affect everyday airport operations, such as security systems and piping supplies. The most crucial systems to airport operations are the ones needed for aircraft to safely land and takeoff.

Earthquake-resistant designs can be implemented in order to reduce the vulnerability of airports to seismic events.

How Earthquake-Resistant Design Helps

Some of the ways in which earthquake-design enhances seismic safety are as follows.

Protecting Critical Infrastructure

Terminals, control towers, and runways and taxiways are vital parts of airport operations. Damage to these structures can lead to serious disruptions. Earthquake-resistant design prevents issues like fallen non-structural systems through the use of measures like seismic bracing, which causes these systems to be able to move with ground-shaking, rather than being shaken loose and wrecking havoc.

Minimizing Life-Safety Risks

Life-safety is the highest priority for airports, especially during a seismic event. Earthquake-resistant design reduces risks to passengers and staff by enhancing the resilience of structural and non-structural systems to shaking. This prevents issues like blocked evacuation routes which can impair the safety to human life.

Operational Continuity

A major concern for earthquakes during and after a seismic event is the ability to continue operations. Earthquake-resistant design allows for critical services to be resumed quickly and effectively after an earthquake, and enables non-structural systems, such as mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, to remain functional.

Improving Long-Term Resilience

Seismic safety for airports doesn’t just address imminent risks, but supports the long-term safety of the airport. Earthquake-resistant designs reduce the need for costly repairs or rebuilding after an earthquake, contributing to operational resilience.

Future-Proofing

Seismic building codes are constantly being updated as more is learned about earthquake risks and how better to mitigate them. Future-proofing earthquake-resistant design makes it easier to retrofit or upgrade them as new standards are developed.

Real-World Example Of Proven Earthquake-Resistant Design for Airports

VIE has been continuously working on the Salt Lake City International Airport for 7 years to enhance its seismic safety. Our work has proven earthquake performance from the 2020 Magna earthquake. Since nothing failed during the earthquake, the airport put a plaque up demonstrating its proven capabilities.

VIE successfully designed for all different complexities and conditions involved in seismic activity. Even during that period, our bracing experienced an earthquake – and performed as needed.

VIE is currently working on Phase 4, the final phase, after successfully completing prior phases.

If you would like to learn more about our work on the Salt Lake City International Airport, feel free to check out our project page here: Salt Lake City International Airport, for some more details. If you have an airport project in need of seismic engineering, you may also contact us if you would like more in-depth knowledge of the type of work we can do and have done for airports.

Expert Seismic Engineering Services In The United States

VIE has over 40 years of experience in the seismic engineering realm. VIE stands for Value Innovative Engineering, and that’s exactly what we provide to our clients. We either meet or exceed the code requirements of client projects with innovative techniques that substantially reduce the number and size of seismic braces needed through advanced concepts.

We take pride in being a seismic engineering firm that clients come back to, time and again. To learn more about our seismic engineering services and what we can do for you, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.

In the Pacific Northwest, there are significant seismic hazards along the Cascadia Subduction Zone. This 600-mile-long fault increases the likelihood of an intraplate earthquake, which could result in devastating damage and fatalities. VIE provides seismic bracing design services in Oregon and Washington in order to help clients prepare for natural disasters and mitigate the damage they cause.

seismic bracing design oregon washington

Seismic Risks In Oregon And Washington

Seismic analysis and bracing design are crucial in the Pacific Northwest due to the high seismic activity in these areas. The Cascadia Subduction Zone creates the risk of an M7 or greater earthquake within the next 50 years. The Pacific Ring of Fire, which is a tectonic belt in the Pacific Ocean, is a place where earthquakes commonly occur, due to tectonic plate interactions.

Not only are these two states at risk of an M7 or greater earthquake, they are also at risk of a resulting tsunami of up to 100 ft in height hitting the coastal areas. As such, proper seismic preparation is essential in order to preserve the life-safety condition of structures and mitigate damage that can result from such activity.

How Seismic Bracing Design Can Help

Most damage from earthquakes doesn’t result from the ground shaking itself, but rather from unrestrained non-structural systems, such as plumbing, fire water systems, mechanical systems, electrical systems, and more. Seismic bracing secures these systems, allowing them to move with the structure, rather than against it.

Seismic bracing design helps with safety, property protection, community resilience, and compliance with legal and insurance requirements.

Safety. Seismic bracing helps buildings withstand seismic forces, which provides protection for human lives – something that cannot be overstated.
Property Protection. Seismic bracing design mitigates the extent of damage to properties, which minimizes economic losses and helps with quicker recovery post-disaster.
Community Resilience. When critical infrastructure remains functional after an earthquake, communities are able to stay resilient, as they have emergency response and recovery efforts.
Legal and Insurance Requirement Compliance. It is often legally required to meet certain seismic codes, and whether these codes are met can affect insurability of properties and insurance premiums.

VIE’s experienced seismic engineers are here to provide you with the seismic engineering services you need to both save lives and protect critical systems.

VIE’s Experience In Oregon And Washington

VIE has completed many projects in Oregon and Washington, from numerous data centers to multi-story, mixed-use buildings, and so much more. We have served as the design engineer of record, seismic bracing installation contractor, bracing procurement and supply entity, and more. 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

For a representative list of our projects in Oregon, Washington, or just in general, contact us, and we will be happy to provide you with whatever information you need.

Seismic Engineering Services In The United States

VIE Engineers provides the seismic engineering services you can count on throughout the United States. We go beyond simply meeting code requirements in order to ensure that our clients are provided with the most economical, technically effective seismic bracing designs for significantly enhanced value and safety.

We pull on our first-hand experience from investigating numerous natural disasters and from our 40+ years of experience in the industry in order to help you improve the life-safety condition of buildings, lifeline systems, and facilities.