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This New Bioinspired Shield Against Earthquakes Could Double Seismic Protection for Multistory Buildings

A new generation of earthquake-protection technology is taking inspiration from an unexpected source: the way humans and animals move. Researchers led by Saeedeh Qaderi have developed and experimentally tested a two-layer sliding–stretching seismic isolator that could significantly expand the use of low-cost seismic isolation in multistory buildings.

Called the two-layer sliding–stretching isolator (SSI2), the device is designed to allow large sideways movements during an earthquake while helping a building return toward its original position afterward. Most importantly, the two-layer design can double the lateral displacement capacity without increasing the device's footprint.

Why Earthquake Isolation Matters

During a major earthquake, the ground can move rapidly in different directions. A building constructed directly on its foundation must absorb much of this movement through its structural components.

Seismic isolation takes a different approach.

Instead of forcing the entire building to resist earthquake motion directly, engineers place special devices between the building and its foundation. These devices allow controlled movement between the two, reducing the amount of seismic energy transferred into the superstructure.

Common technologies include elastomeric bearings and friction-pendulum isolators. They can be highly effective, but their relatively high cost and complicated manufacturing requirements can make them difficult to adopt widely, particularly in developing regions.

This has created strong interest in simpler, more affordable and tunable isolation technologies.

A Seismic Isolator Inspired by Human Movement

The research behind SSI2 takes inspiration from biomechanics.

The proposed device uses rigid structural members that resemble the role of arms and legs, while flexible elements called tendons imitate the shock-absorbing and energy-storing functions of biological tendons.

When humans or animals walk or run, bones, muscles and tendons work together to control movement and absorb energy. Qaderi and her colleagues adapt this basic mechanical idea for earthquake engineering—but with an important difference.

Instead of allowing the system to resonate with an external excitation, the seismic isolator is designed to avoid resonance with earthquake frequencies.

The device achieves this through controlled sliding and stretching. As the isolator moves laterally, its tendons deform. Their changing configuration and tension influence the mechanical response of the system, helping it manage large earthquake-induced movements.

The Key Innovation: Two Layers Instead of One

Earlier research introduced a single-layer sliding–stretching isolator, known as SSI1.

While the concept showed considerable potential, one important engineering challenge remained: an earthquake isolator needs sufficient lateral displacement capacity, especially when it is used beneath taller buildings.

The new study addresses this limitation by stacking two SSI1 systems together.

The two layers are arranged so that they move in opposite directions. The researchers developed a new mechanical model that mathematically describes the combined behavior of these two layers.

The result is significant: SSI2 can approximately double the lateral displacement capacity of the isolator compared with a single-layer device occupying the same footprint.

This is particularly important because increasing the physical size of an isolator is not always practical. Buildings have limited space at their isolation interfaces, so obtaining greater movement capacity without expanding the footprint can offer a major design advantage.

Testing the Concept on a Shake Table

The researchers did not rely solely on theoretical calculations.

Reduced-scale SSI2 prototypes were tested using a dedicated shake-table setup at the Laboratory of Structural Engineering of the University of Salerno.

Shake tables are widely used in earthquake engineering to reproduce controlled ground motions and study how structures or structural components respond.

In this study, experimental measurements were used to examine the relationship between lateral force and lateral displacement. The results were then compared with the predictions of the newly developed mechanical model.

The experiments allowed the researchers to determine important constitutive parameters and assess whether the mathematical model could reproduce the actual behavior of the physical prototypes.

The experimental validation provided evidence that the proposed SSI2 model can effectively describe the mechanics of the two-layer device.

Tunable Tendons Could Make the System Adaptable

Another interesting feature of the technology is its tunability.

The researchers found that changing the size of the tendons affects the mechanical response of the isolator. This means that the device could potentially be adjusted for different structural requirements.

Rather than relying on a single fixed configuration, engineers could modify the internal architecture and tendon properties to obtain different mechanical characteristics.

Other aspects can also influence performance, including the internal geometry of the unit cell, friction between sliding components, tendon pretension and tendon material.

This tunability could eventually allow SSI systems to be designed specifically for different buildings and seismic conditions.

A Potentially Lower-Cost Alternative

Cost is another major consideration.

Many conventional seismic isolation systems require industrial manufacturing processes and specialized components. The research team is exploring a different manufacturing philosophy.

The proposed bioinspired isolator can incorporate biobased and recycled materials, while some nonstructural components could potentially be produced using ordinary 3D printers.

Metallic components could be manufactured using conventional machining techniques, obtained from suppliers or potentially produced using desktop metal 3D-printing technologies.

This approach could make the technology more accessible and reduce dependence on heavy industrial manufacturing.

However, laboratory-scale manufacturing should not be confused with immediate commercial deployment. Significant engineering, durability, certification and full-scale testing would still be required before such systems could be used widely in real buildings.

Why Multistory Buildings Could Benefit

Seismic isolation is often most economical for low- and medium-rise buildings. As buildings become taller, their structural behavior and displacement requirements become increasingly complex.

Tall and multistory buildings can require isolation systems capable of accommodating substantial lateral movements.

This is where the SSI2 concept becomes particularly interesting.

Because its two-layer architecture provides greater displacement capacity while maintaining the same footprint, it could potentially address one of the important challenges associated with applying sliding–stretching isolation to taller structures.

The researchers also point out that multiple SSI2 unit cells could be arranged across a horizontal plane. This would allow vertical loads to be distributed among several posts, potentially enabling the system to be scaled for larger structures.

The Bigger Picture: Bioinspired Earthquake Engineering

The SSI2 project represents more than the development of another seismic bearing.

It reflects a broader trend toward bioinspired engineering, in which principles observed in nature are translated into technologies for human-built systems.

Animals have evolved highly efficient mechanisms for storing, releasing and dissipating energy during movement. Researchers are now investigating whether similar principles can be adapted to protect buildings from destructive natural forces.

In the SSI2 system, that biological inspiration is combined with modern mechanics, experimental testing and potentially digital manufacturing.

The result is a seismic isolation concept that aims to be large-displacement, tunable, compact and potentially cost-effective.

What Comes Next?

The researchers see several directions for future development.

Further experiments are planned to investigate different SSI configurations and loading conditions. Researchers also intend to optimize the geometry, topology and stacking arrangement of the layers.

Advanced computational approaches—including soft computing, probabilistic methods and artificial intelligence—could eventually help identify optimal designs for particular buildings and earthquake conditions.

Before the technology can become a practical commercial solution, larger-scale experiments and extensive testing under realistic loading conditions will be essential.

A Promising Step Toward Smarter Seismic Protection

The two-layer SSI2 system offers an intriguing new direction in earthquake engineering. By combining sliding, stretching and bioinspired mechanics, the researchers have demonstrated a way to increase lateral displacement capacity without simply making the isolator larger.

Its potential use of recycled or biobased materials and 3D-printable components also makes the concept particularly interesting from a sustainability and manufacturing perspective.

Most importantly, the experimental results support the proposed mechanical model and suggest that SSI2 could help move sliding–stretching seismic isolation closer to applications in multistory buildings and other structures requiring large displacement capacity within limited space.

The technology is still at the research and development stage, but its combination of biomimicry, tunability, compact design and potentially accessible manufacturing makes it a noteworthy development in the search for safer and more resilient buildings.

Reference: Qaderi, S.; Adinolfi, V.; Germano, G.; Benzoni, G.; Luciano, R.; Fraternali, F. An Experimental and Mechanical Study of a Two-Layer, Bioinspired Seismic Isolator for Multistory Buildings. Buildings 2023, 13, 2272. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13092272

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