Base Isolation for Earthquake Resistance
Summary
This document includes two activities related to earthquake base isolation. Learners explore earthquake hazards and damage to buildings by constructing model buildings and subjecting the buildings to ground vibration (shaking similar to earthquake vibrations) on a small shake table. Base isolation a powerful tool for earthquake engineering. It is meant to enable a building to survive a potentially devastating seismic impact through a proper initial design or subsequent modifications. The buildings are constructed by two- or three-person learner teams.
NGSS ALIGNMENT
Disciplinary Core Ideas
Earth and Human Activity: MS-ESS3-2, HS-ESS3-1
Engineering Design: MS-ETS1-1, HS-ETS1-1, HS-ETS1-3
Waves and their Applications: MS-PS4-2
Energy: MS-PS3-2, MS-PS3-5, HS-PS3-2