Earthquake resistant house

Abstract

An earthquake resistant structure includes a structure base assembly and a building structure positioned on the structure base assembly. The earthquake resistant structure includes a base isolation assembly which carries the building structure and structure base assembly, wherein the base isolation assembly includes a movement member and horizontal dampening member which allow the building structure and structure base assembly to move in response to an applied force, such as from an earthquake.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 949,613 filed on Jul. 13, 2007, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]This invention relates generally to buildings and, more particularly, to buildings designed to be resistant to earthquakes.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Particular geographical areas are known to suffer from earthquakes. Generally, earthquake-prone areas are near a geological fault in the earth's tectonic plates. For example, in the United States, California is prone to earthquakes because it runs along the San Andreas fault. The damage to buildings from earthquakes is costly and it is inconvenient and time consuming to rebuild. Additionally, people are often injured from total or partial collapse of a building and from falling pieces of the building during an earthquake.[0006]To reduce earthquake inj...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Particular geographical areas are known to suffer from earthquakes.

For example, in the United States, California is prone to earthquakes because it runs along the San Andreas fault.

The damage to buildings from earthquakes is costly and it is inconvenient and time consuming to rebuild.

Additionally, people are often injured from total or partial collapse of a building and from falling pieces of the building during an earthquake.

However, these techniques may limit the materials and designs used for a building structure.

For example, it is difficult to determine the amount of deformation that can be allowed in a building material, because using a material with too much deformation can affect the strength of a building's structure.

Additionally, a building design with too much diagonal bracing may not be aesthetically appealing to a building owner, or may limit the use of other standard materials during the building construction.

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