The search for methods of reducing the impact of earthquakes is growing spurred on by recent events. Concrete structures are particularly prone because of their rigidity. [Download CAD animation]
Damage can be gretly reduced if modern seismic design crieria, such as Eurocode 8, are applied. Eurocode 8 is very difficult to implement in reinforced concrete structures because reinforcing bar is manufactured to wide tolerances and is specified to meet minimum strength criteria only. For seismic design, the maximum tensile strength and the yield stregnth are key factors.
The problem of rebar varibility can be overcome by the use of inserts made from high quality tensile steel, manufactured to precise tolerances. These are mechanically coupled to the reinforcement using full performance joints with threaded couplers.
Earthquake Resistance for Reinforced Concrete