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Differences in earthquake-resistance structures

 

Seismic isolation devices absorb most of the seismic force

LG CNS Busan Data Center is a representative

 

[Daehan Kyungjae = Reporter Kim Min-soo] Structural performance in response to domestic earthquakes is largely divided into △seismic resistance, △seismic control, and △seismic isolation.

 

Among these, seismic isolation is an earthquake-resistant design that installs seismic isolation devices such as laminated rubber, ball bearings, and large lead on the floor foundation between the building and the ground so that the building is hardly affected by the earthquake. In simple terms, it is a concept that secures the safety of the building by separating the building from the ground. The seismic force is mostly absorbed by the seismic isolation device.

 

If earthquake resistance is mainly aimed at preventing casualties, seismic control and seismic isolation enable the maintenance of the building's functions in addition. However, seismic control protects the building by dispersing seismic energy (vibration) with external seismic control devices such as dampers. Since the building is in contact with the ground, seismic control cannot completely eliminate the impact on the building.

 

Normally, apartments with earthquake-resistant design can withstand earthquakes of around 6.0 on the Richter scale, but apartments with seismic isolation and seismic control designs are known to withstand large earthquakes of magnitude 7 or higher.

 

The representative seismic isolation structure in Korea is the LG CNS Busan Data Center, which was completed in 2013. It is a very large-scale building that can simultaneously operate 72,000 servers in an area the size of 5 soccer fields, and is famous for being the first building in Korea to have seismic isolation facilities. It is designed to withstand even an earthquake of magnitude 8.0.

 

The Gyeongju National Museum, which preserves various cultural assets, is also the first case of applying seismic isolation facilities to cultural assets. It has seismic isolation facilities that can withstand an earthquake of magnitude 8.3. Hillstate in Gochon, Gimpo, is the first residential building to have seismic isolation devices applied, and can withstand an earthquake of magnitude 7.0 or higher. Busan Gwangan Bridge is the first seismic isolation bridge in Korea to have applied seismic isolation technology using lead seismic support.

 

Korea's seismic isolation technology is at a high level compared to other countries. UnisonHKR represents domestic seismic isolation device manufacturer.

 

UnisonHKR was the first in Korea to apply seismic isolation structures to buildings when it established its own technology research center in 1998. In addition, it has applied seismic isolation structures to LG CNS Data Center, IBK Hanam Data Center, NH Integrated IT Center, BNK Financial Group IT Center, KDB Industrial Bank Data Center, KB Kookmin Bank Integrated IT Center, Ulju Radiation Emergency Command Center, and Gimpo Gochon Hyundai Hillstate.​