Quake simulation machine

[CBS Forum]

Kanpur scientists develop quake simulation machine to measure structural stress

 

In the wake of natural disasters affecting many countries around the world the Indian scientists have been burning mid-night oil to promote safety. In one such endeavours the scientists at a premier technology institute have developed a machine that can test the capacity of buildings to withstand earthquakes.

The machine has been designed by scientists at the Structural Engineering Laboratory of the civil engineering department of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur.

The device is used to simulate vibration in a building. It records the structure's capacity to resist an earthquake."This is the first of its kind device in India that measures the properties of the existing structure such as bridge or a building," says K.K.Vajpayee, senior technical officer.

Vajpayee described 'natural period' as the time taken by a structure to oscillate horizontally during an earthquake. This property measures a a structure's capacity to withstand earthquakes.

The earthquake that struck Kashmir with an intensity of 7.6 on the richter scale and 7.8 in Pakistan occupied Kashmir and Pakistan killed over 54,000 people. besides thousands injured and homeless. 

 

By Mahendra Mishra, Kanpur