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Damper Keeps "Lights On" During Earthquake

Posted September 28, 2016 12:00 AM by Engineering360 eNewsletter

One of the most damaging results of any natural disaster, especially a catastrophic seismic event, is a total power outage. But according to Engineering 360, physics students from the UK's University of Leicester are exploring a way to keep the power on even during a major earthquake. Their primary method for assuring that buildings aren't destroyed during a major earthquake is to outfit their foundations with a damper to prevent excessive shaking. But in this case the damper would contain an electromagnetic coil that acts as a generator.

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Rixter
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#1

Re: Damper Keeps "Lights On" During Earthquake

09/29/2016 8:24 PM

"The student study initially examined how much energy could have been generated by the Kobe, Japan, earthquake of 1995, which measured 7.2 on the Richter scale. They then applied their model to San Francisco, examining the Millennium Tower, a residential high rise. The students calculated that if the foundations of the building were constructed using generator blocks, the tower, which has a surface area of 1,300m2, could generate approximately 770W in an earthquake of magnitude 7.2."

power outage

770W for a few seconds doesn't seem like a lot of energy...

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redfred
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Engineering Fields - Electrical Engineering - Been there, done that. Engineering Fields - Control Engineering - New Member

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#2
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Re: Damper Keeps "Lights On" During Earthquake

09/30/2016 10:39 AM

This makes me wonder if anybody proof reads these articles.

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Rixter
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#3
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Re: Damper Keeps "Lights On" During Earthquake

09/30/2016 2:14 PM

The run it through ProofCheck...
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redfred
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In reply to #3

Re: Damper Keeps "Lights On" During Earthquake

09/30/2016 2:32 PM

Some use a Hydrometer. Some just shake the Mason jar and look at the size of the bubbles.

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