4 METHODS TO PROTECT BUILDINGS FROM EARTHQUAKE

Recently, on March 28, 2025, an earthquake of more than 7.0 magnitude in Myanmar caused many places such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to shake. Many people in Hanoi felt dizzy, as if they had vestibular disorders. Some people in Ho Chi Minh City did not dare to go back to the building after the shaking. In 2011, Laos experienced two earthquakes of more than 7.0 magnitude, killing at least 10 people. At that time, some areas in Hanoi also felt the tremors.
According to Vietnam’s warning scale, earthquakes of 7-7.9 magnitude are equivalent to “major”, with an average frequency of 10-20 earthquakes per year worldwide. At this intensity, earthquakes cause extensive or total damage to buildings on a large scale. Some buildings collapsed or were severely damaged.

(Source: VnExpress)

Over the past decades, mechanical engineers have researched and developed construction materials and shock absorbers to better equip buildings against earthquakes. The following article will provide information on 4 methods to protect buildings from earthquakes.

1. How do earthquakes affect buildings?

To learn about earthquake-resistant buildings, we need to understand how earthquakes affect man-made structures and buildings. When an earthquake occurs, a shock wave is created and spreads across the ground very quickly in a short time, then spreads quickly and widely in all directions. Buildings are often equipped with vertical designs from gravity and their weight, but they are not enough to resist the horizontal movements caused by earthquakes.
These horizontal movements cause building components such as walls, floors, columns, beams and braces to shake. Due to the different movements between the foundation and the top of the building, it causes a lot of stress, which leads to structural damage, making the building susceptible to collapse.

2. 4 methods of building earthquake-resistant buildings

To design an earthquake-resistant building, engineers work to strengthen the structure and resist the potential forces of an earthquake. Since earthquakes release energy that pushes buildings in one direction, this strategy involves pushing the building in the opposite direction. Here are some methods used to help buildings withstand earthquakes.

2.1. Building flexible foundations:

To make buildings able to withstand the forces created by earthquakes, an effective way is to “raise” the foundation of the building above the ground through a technique called “base isolation”. This is a method of separating buildings from their underlying foundations with gaskets made of rubber, lead or steel.
>> Normally, when an earthquake occurs, the building above will shake and the foundation will remain fixed. On the contrary, the operating principle of this method only makes the foundation move when there is an earthquake, preventing the force from being transmitted upwards, thereby minimizing the impact on the building.

2.2. Reinforcing the steel frame for the structure:

Earthquake-resistant buildings often include:
– Load-bearing walls are made up of many panels, helping the building not to deform when displaced.
– Diagonal braces have the task of absorbing compressive and tensile forces, while pushing the force back to the foundation.
– The diaphragm, including the floor, ceiling and roof, is the core component, helping to reduce tension from the ground and transmit force to vertical structures.
– The steel frame is installed between the connectors of columns and beams, allowing them to bend while the joints remain rigid.

2.3. Redirecting earthquake forces:

In addition to finding ways to counteract the forces, engineers are researching methods to redirect the forces caused by earthquakes. This method is called “seismic invisibility cloak”, using 100 concentric plastic and concrete rings, buried at least one meter below the foundation of the building.
When the earthquake passes through these rings, it is forced to pass through the outer rings first, in the process the forces are redirected from the building to the ground and disappear, protecting the structure above.

2.4. Creating a counterforce by damping (Anti-earthquake friction springs)

To resist earthquakes, Ringfeder Anti-earthquake friction springs can reduce the intensity of shock waves by absorbing seismic energy, which helps buildings to significantly reduce shaking. There are 2 types of dampers used:
– Damping system: This method is done by installing dampers between the columns and beams on each floor. This shock absorber consists of a cylinder combined with a Ringfeder Anti-earthquake friction springs and a piston top. Thanks to that, the energy will be converted into heat energy to help reduce vibration.
– Pendulum: High-rise skyscrapers are often instructed by engineers to equip a large weight block made of steel cables and a shock absorber system. The steel cables are tied outside the building and fix the roof to the ground. When there is an earthquake, the cables will pull the building in opposite directions to help reduce vibration.
>>> With the above 4 methods of protecting buildings from earthquakes, Ringfeder experts are constantly researching and developing to help minimize serious damage to construction works when there is an earthquake. Ringfeder Friction Springs, also known as Friction Springs, are specially constructed from high-quality alloy steel, including conical rings stacked on top of each other to create elastic force through the friction mechanism between the rings. Friction springs allow energy absorption, withstand repeated loads, are used as shock absorbers and are especially dedicated to high-rise building construction applications.

Learn more about: “The Unknown about the Seismic Resistance of Ringfeder Friction Springs”

3. Genuine Ringfeder Friction Springs Supplier – Contributing to Protect Buildings from Earthquake:

Dai Hong Phat is an authorized representative of Ringfeder in Vietnam, supplying Ringfeder Friction Springs.
This is one of the essential components in the shock absorption system, contributing to Protect Buildings from Earthquake. Feel free to replace this solution to protect your project and the interests of customers using the building. If you need advice on alternative solutions, please contact Dai Hong Phat because:
– High quality friction springs are imported directly from Ringfeder/Germany
– Provide clear CO/CO documents, against counterfeit goods.
– A team of experienced technicians to support you in choosing the right spring.
– Free conversion of technical parameters and processing according to your requirements
– Goods are always available in stock, fast delivery 24/7, minimizing downtime.

If you need a quote for Anti-earthquake friction springs, please contact the hotline: 0906 955 057!

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