The primary objectives of seismic protection are to ensure maximum protection of the public, to guarantee the operability of emergency services, and to maintain the continuity of performance of major infrastructures.
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ApplicationsBuildings
Hospitals
Schools
Bridges
Industrial facilities
Historical structures
Our experts are often sought after to resolve seismic strengthening challenges. They provide customized solutions that integrate specialized seismic devices and advanced structural reinforcement techniques.
Freyssinet Inc. delivers technical solutions for seismic strengthening projects to infrastructure owners and operators, addressing both standard buildings (apartment buildings, schools, hospitals, and office spaces) and large-scale facilities (dams, bridges, and industrial plants).
A Complete Range of Services
Structural Assessment
The key to a successful retrofit solution lies in conducting a precise evaluation of the structure’s resilience. At Freyssinet, we employ a tailored approach, carefully adapted to each structure’s unique characteristics. Our process includes a thorough on-site investigation program combined with initial modeling of the existing structures to ensure the most effective outcome.
Specification and Conceptual Design
Based on the required level of seismic protection, we craft precise technical specifications and develop customized strengthening strategies. These solutions are carefully designed to meet architectural requirements while addressing execution constraints. Our advanced ISOSISM range of solutions incorporates state-of-the-art concrete and steel repair technologies, along with innovative seismic protection devices.
Sizing of Seismic Devices
When seismic devices from the ISOSISM® range are required to enhance a structure, Freyssinet pre-dimensions the devices using an advanced numerical model of the structure to be reinforced, facilitating the final dimensioning by a design office.
Execution of the Works
We excel in repairing and reinforcing steel and concrete structures slated for upgrades. Once the structure is strengthened, we supply and install advanced earthquake protection devices to ensure enhanced seismic resilience.
Why Choose Freyssinet?
01. High Value Engineering
Our expert engineers provide advice and assessments to identify the optimal protection solutions for your project. Using advanced digital modeling techniques, they design and refine the selected approach.
02. In-House Design and Manufacturing
The ISOSISM® range is entirely designed and produced in our own design offices and manufacturing facilities. This includes damping, isolation, connection and junction systems, ensuring complete quality control and innovation at every stage.
03. In-House Testing Facilities
Since 2017, over 1,400 seismic devices have been tested in our ISOLAB® laboratory, making it the most active facility in this field. Our devices undergo rigorous testing in compliance with key international standards, including AASHTO, EN 15129, AS 5100, NCh2745, and others.
04. A Solid Track
Record
With over 200 successful international projects involving buildings and 700 references for engineering structures, Freyssinet has demonstrated proven expertise and reliability across a wide range of applications.
Seismic Retrofitting Strategies
The approach to seismic repair or strengthening must be adapted to each structure type, taking into account its unique level of stiffness.
For rigid structures, reducing vulnerability is often best achieved by increasing their strength. This allows them to withstand higher seismic forces more effectively, rather than focusing solely on enhancing their ductility.
The goal is to enhance the structure’s ability to deform without failing, without increasing the forces to which it is subjected, to distribute the seismic load throughout the structure and better use its resistance capacity.
Inserting isolators between the substructure and superstructure provides seismic isolation, significantly minimizing the energy resulting from the seismic action transferred to the superstructure.
Earthquake resistance can be bolstered by reinforcing the strength of the structure. This can be achieved by strengthening individual structural elements or by fortifying the entire structure. Techniques such as additional prestressing, dry shotcrete, steel bracing, and carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites play a pivotal role in achieving this improvement.
Additional Prestressing
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Strengthening concrete structures
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Connecting the superstructure to the substructure
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Making adjacent buildings monolithic
Shotcrete/Gunite
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Strengthening of beams
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Shear wall reinforcement
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Columns jacketing
Steel Bracings
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Improving the lateral bracing system
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Strengthening the structure
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Increasing energy dissipation
Additional Prestressing
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Strengthening concrete structures
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Connecting the superstructure to the substructure
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Making adjacent buildings monolithic
Shotcrete/Gunite
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Strengthening of beams
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Shear wall reinforcement
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Columns jacketing
Steel Bracings
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Improving the lateral bracing system
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Strengthening the structure
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Increasing energy dissipation
Increasing ductility of a structure allows it to deform more before reaching the point of failure. This improvement ensures that seismic forces are evenly distributed across the entire structure, maximizing its ability to resist damage without increasing the stresses it experiences. For instance, carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites can be used to confine plastic hinge zones in reinforced concrete elements, significantly improving their performance.
Composite Reinforcements
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Strengthening beam-column joints
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Confining plastic hinge zones
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Column jacketing
Composite Reinforcements
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Strengthening beam-column joints
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Confining plastic hinge zones
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Column jacketing
The reduction of seismic forces of loads on a building can be achieved by dynamic isolation of its foundation. This technique involves the use of isolators that induce a frequency shift, functioning as low-frequency oscillators in the horizontal direction.
Even during intense earthquakes, this approach minimizes damage, ensuring structures remain functional and safe.
Seismic Isolation
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High damping rubber isolators
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Rubber isolators combined with
external damping devices -
Pendulum bearings
Seismic Isolation
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High damping rubber isolators
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Rubber isolators combined with
external damping devices -
Pendulum bearings
Discover Our ISOSISM Range
Contact Freyssinet Today!
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