Researchers Developing Quake-Resilient Bridges in New Zealand

Researchers Developing Quake-Resilient Bridges in New Zealand

Researchers in New Zealand have developed new technology that could make bridges more resilient to earthquakes. Their so-called ‘low-damage solution’ has a series of rocking bridge columns that move with seismic shocks, leaving bridges with little to no damage compared to conventional building methods…“This special steel, which is usually placed in the middle of the column, is actually working as a rubber band. So, during the earthquake this high-strength steel is actually trying to bring the pier back to the original position,” Palermo said.  “And we are actually trying to combine these resilience-solutions – seismic resilience-solutions – with accelerated bridge construction. How can we actually build bridges faster and at the same time (be) resilient? This system allows (us) to do that.”