Biotechnology Improving Building's Earthquake Resistance

Recent earthquakes around the world have pushed engineering and architect to rethink and redevelop new strategies to reinforce concrete structures. Architect Wilfredo Mendez, is analyzing how bio-adapted structure made of concrete will behave when influenced by seismic forces. Mendez initial thoughts and conclusions have determined that concrete structures could be simulated and compared with the human femur bone. His design has been based on 'force-driven morphology, mechanical resilience and environmental adaption'.

Many regions around the world are moving fast with stringent building codes, however, such integration could be optimized based on Architect Mendez arguments improving building strength integrated with biotechnology.

Architect Mendez proposes that the femur bone composition could be extrapolated to the building structure improving integration and better use of concrete. 'The type of loads which experiments the femur are very similar to those in typical beams and columns: tension, compression and bending' says Mendez, while 'the bio-structural parameters selected from the femur includes the mid-diaphysis (middle-cross section) geometrical properties associated with its maximum stress resistance value (about 4,000 psi)'.

After all this analysis, Mendez developed a 'novel concrete frame morphology', composed of non-prismatic components capable of withstand large seismic loads acting on different building component members. Méndez proposal becomes highly efficient for seismic vulnerable zones because, according to its conclusion that indicates 'the total base shear was reduced by the lateral loads effect. Furthermore, the proposed structural design implies a reduction of concrete use for structures which also means a reduction of CO2 emissions'.

_{Photo by California Watch}