DisastersShock absorbers making buildings earthquake-proof
An upstate New York manufacturer has developed dampers, or shock absorbers, which increase the earthquake resistance of a building by threefold; the patented dampers are based on technology first developed by the military to protect U.S. missile silos against Russian attacks during the cold war
Set of shocks destined for China's Sutong Bridge // Source: taylordevices.com
An upstate New York company says it has developed an innovative technology to make buildings safer during earthquakes
Taylor Devices, a 100-employee manufacturer based in North Tonawanda, New York, has patented earthquake shock-absorbers which stabilize buildings, bridges, and elevated freeways during temblors to help prevent them from falling.
The company’s CEO, Douglas Taylor, says that when Japan begins to rebuild, it should use the company’s technology to make future buildings better able to withstand tremors.
CNN Money reports that Taylor Devices sells dampers, or shock absorbers, which dissipate the energy of the earthquake before it bends or damages a building, explained Taylor.
The technology increases the earthquake resistance of a building by threefold, he said. Dampers are based on technology first developed by the military to protect U.S. missile silos against Russian attacks during the cold war.
The company says that 70 percent of the company’s sales are made outside the country, 40 percent of total sales are from Asia, and 10 percent from Japan. Taylor Devices has worked on more than 350 building and bridge projects worldwide, including the Guggenheim Museum in New York and the Seattle Mariners’ baseball stadium. Generally, its technology is used in large commercial buildings.
The company has eight employees in its sales office in Yokohama, close by Tokyo. The company has installed its devices in twenty-two buildings and bridges in Japan. Taylor says it appears that all twenty-two sites seem to have survived the earthquake without suffering any damage, Taylor said.
“Other Asian countries will look at this and say: ‘Oh my gosh! If it happened in Japan, it could happen here! What are we going to do to be sure this doesn’t happen to us?’ ” Taylor said.
The company, which added employees and manufacturing capacity last year, is prepared to expand more if demand warrants, Taylor says.
