Researchers from ICITECH of the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) have devised this new device, patented as “Sisbrick”, whose design and components allow the seismic isolation of the partition from the rest of the building structure.
The key lies in the combination of materials so that a dual behavior is achieved: absorbing horizontal movements due to an earthquake and supporting vertical loads that act on the structure of buildings.
This brick is formed by a matrix whose special formulation gives it properties to achieve the seismic isolation sought, to which the elements inserted in its matrix also contribute, providing it with improved properties for out-of-plane behavior.
It allows the partition wall to be seismically isolated from the rest of the building structure,because of its ability to absorb movements. «They would act as an insulating barrier, preventing the transmission of loads from these dividing elements to the structure; this is how they would not determine in a decisive way the building’s seismic response.
Using a small number of these devices to build a partition, and the rest of the pieces with conventional ceramic bricks, movements of the order of up to three times greater have been achieved in the laboratory with the use of the “insulating brick”.
“The devices thus arranged would act as a security system, hindering the transmission of forces between the structure and the partitions during the seismic movement”
More information:
https://estructurando.net/2016/01/11/la-upv-desarrolla-un-ladrillo-antisismico/