Earthquake and seismic tremor damage mitigation is a critical aspect to protecting airport / military airbase assets to include:  facilities, equipment, aircraft, and personnel.  Earthquake mitigation measures seek to reduce or negate the effects of seismic activity. The first step in earthquake mitigation begins with risk analysis.   Mitigation focuses on long-term measures for reducing or eliminating risk.  Earthquake and seismic tremor mitigation measures can be structural or non-structural.  Structural measures use technological solutions such as building retrofits.  

     The primary types of earthquake structural mitigation technologies include: earthquake resistant structure design engineering, seismic isolation bearings, seismic signal controls technology,  and protective window film.

     Earthquake resistant structural design engineering includes: a) analysis of windows and building facades, b) structural hardening for compression / vibration loads, c) progressive collapse analysis, and d) Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).   Seismic damage resistant structural engineering requires a detailed knowledge of dynamic loading and structural failure analysis. Solutions and remedial actions can entail; structural design modification, structural retrofit actions, seismic design and analysis, the use of resilient materials and shock damping systems.        

     Seismic isolation bearings protect buildings, overpasses, and industrial facilities such as aircraft hangars and passenger terminals.  Seismic isolation bearings use a sliding mechanism to control the supported structure’s seismic response and to dissipate earthquake energy.  Seismic isolation bearings can protect a building from damage during even the most severe earthquakes.  They can also safeguard the building's contents, equipment, and infrastructure. 

     Seismic sensor systems detect earthquake vibration patterns.  Once seismic shock vibrations are detected, the sensor system provides an immediate signal to perform lifesaving and emergency earthquake mitigation tasks.  Seismic signals control systems and software can be customized to create a configured system to meet specific airport / airbase requirements.  This includes: automated elevator controls, and gas / fuel valve shut-off devices.  (Shut off valves can prevent explosions or aviation fuel spills from pipelines or storage tanks.

    The major cause of injury to people in earthquakes isn't collapsing walls or a failing building infrastructure, but flying glass caused by shattering windows.  Seismic tremors can easily shatter windows and send razor sharp, high-velocity shards of glass flying through the air.  Airport terminals, aircraft hangars, and aviation / airport support facilities have often have a great deal of glass built into their designs.  An earthquake can put people in every part of these buildings in the direct path of flying glass upon the arrival of shock tremors.  The use of a protective window film can help to minimize the threat posed by flying glass.  Window film  treatments are a thin, very strong plastic adhesive that is applied to both sides of a window.  The film binds the window pane so that it remains securely in position even if the glass is shattered.   

Protecting Airports and Airbases from the Destructive Forces of Nature

     The National Aerospace Organization is hosting a symposium and exposition on November 15th, 2012 to address new technologies and innovations for effectively mitigating earthquake and seismic damage at airports and military airbases.  At this event, other destructive natural forces such as fire, hurricanes, flooding, snow and ice, and lightning will be addressed.  Exciting presentations will be provided to explain and demonstrate the most effective technologies and equipment for protecting airport runways, flight lines, taxiways, aircraft hangars, terminals and support facilities.  

Go to Event Page for more Information