Researchers at the Polytechnic University of Valencia have devised a new construction system that could revolutionize the way buildings are designed to withstand extreme events such as earthquakes, floods, and terrorist attacks. Inspired by lizards’ ability to detach their tails to escape predators, this system aims to prevent the collapse of an entire building by localizing the failure to the damaged area without propagating.
Traditional building designs try to prevent failure propagation by connecting the structure to compensate for damage. However, this can sometimes lead to a total collapse. The new system developed by the research team uses structural fuses to isolate the collapse and prevent it from spreading throughout the entire building. Testing of this system has shown promising results, demonstrating its effectiveness in preventing complete collapses.
Although the method has shown success in tests, there is still a long road ahead before it can be implemented in actual construction projects. Modification of regulations and convincing construction companies of the benefits of this new approach will be a challenging task for the researchers. Despite the obstacles, the research team remains positive about the future potential of their system and its application in other structures such as bridges.
The research represents a significant step towards the construction of safer buildings and the preservation of human lives during extreme events. With its potential to make buildings more resilient, the approach has been recognized by the prestigious scientific journal Nature, highlighting its importance in protecting public safety. The team continues to work on the development of the system in hopes of making buildings more secure and better equipped to withstand extreme situations.
