How a Steel Ball Saves Taiwan's Tallest Building in earthquake

Earthquake in Taiwan Occurred on Wednesday, resulting in 10 deaths and over 1,000 injuries. Most powerful earthquake since 1999, which claimed 2,400 lives and damaged thousands of buildings. 18 people remain missing as of Friday.

Taiwan's Earthquake Resilience:

• Despite powerful earthquakes, Taiwan experiences minimal damage and loss of lives.
• Notable earthquake-resilient country despite its vulnerability to tremors.

Comparison with Other Earthquake Incidents:

• Contrast with Turkey's 7.8-magnitude earthquake in 2023, which resulted in 53,000 deaths.
• Highlights Taiwan's effective disaster response and resilience efforts.

Strengthened Coordination for Disaster Response:

• Since a 2018 earthquake, local authorities in Taiwan have improved coordination with government and non-governmental organizations for disaster relief.

• Enhanced efforts focus on evacuating residents from affected areas and preventing building collapse during aftershocks.

Role of Pendulum in Earthquake Protection:

• Taiwan's tallest building, Taiwan 101, features a 660-tonne steel pendulum known as the "tunnel mass damper."
• Pendulum absorbs shock during earthquakes, reducing building movement by up to 40 percent.
• Sphere's movement stabilizes the building and protects occupants.

Description of the Pendulum Structure:

• Constructed with 41 layers, each nearly 5 inches thick, and measures around 18 feet in diameter.
• Supported by 92 steel cables, each approximately 3.5 inches wide and 138 feet long.
• Utilizes a bumper ring to limit its swing to around 59 inches.

Engineering Display and Passive Damping System:

• Rare case of engineering visible to the public, showcasing the building's earthquake resilience.

• Pendulum moves in opposite direction of building during tremors, stabilizing structure without external energy sources.

Taiwan 101 Building Details:

• Taipei 101 was one of the world's tallest buildings until 2009, standing at 1,667 feet with 101 stories.
• Golden mass damper hangs between the 87th and 92nd floors, capable of moving five feet in any direction.

Reasons for Taiwan's Earthquake Vulnerability:

• Situated on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" near the convergence of tectonic plates.
• History of significant earthquakes, prompting revisions in building codes and disaster management laws.

Preparedness and Response Efforts in Taiwan:

• Regular countrywide disaster drills and mock alert messages.
• Government revises quake resistance standards for buildings and offers subsidies for residents to assess quake resistance.
• Continuous monitoring and readiness for earthquakes, with rescuers on standby 24/7.

Frequency of Earthquakes in Taiwan:

• Over 2,000 earthquakes with magnitude 4.0 or greater since 1980, and more than 100 earthquakes above 5.5 magnitude, as reported by the US Geological Survey.