As mentioned above, the devices do not transmit an axial load, so they can be placed freely in height and plan, being, in general, more effective at lower levels and on the outer perimeter. The plane in which they are placed will depend on the direction that you want to stiffen the structure. In general, the architecture of the building is the most restrictive in deciding where the devices will be placed.

The SLB4 are cut heatsinks that reach up to 60mm of displacement. The ETABS software allows to show in which range of use the devices are. Being the colors. In such a way that if the devices are of color, it means that they have already reached their plastic limit.

Like metal structures, their useful life is indefinite and long-term and it is NOT necessary to change them after an earthquake occurs. For its duration, adequate paint and an environment that prevents corrosion is required. With respect to its replacement after an earthquake, only an inspection is required to determine the range of interstory displacement reached. If this is less than 1/3 of its breakage displacement (for example 60/320 mm for the fourth generation of SLBs), immediate occupation is established. On the other hand, if it is less than 2/3 of its breakage displacement (for example 60×2/340 mm for fourth generation SLBs) review and evaluation is required. If its rupture displacement is reached, the replacement would proceed, but this condition would be equivalent to an extremely unlikely total global damage.

The number of devices and the stiffness of the support system depend on the performance required. In general, it is clear that the more devices are incorporated, the greater their benefit will be, and this is a very important feature of SLB devices, since their unit cost is very low and, therefore, many of them can be incorporated for a significant reduction in demand. 

In a similar way to metal structures, these are protected according to the duration and temperature of exposure by means of paints or fire-retardant bars. Devices are normally covered so they are protected against this action.

By increasing damping they are effective in reducing potential wind vibrations, particularly if they generate resonant vibrations in the structure.

⦁ Structures with high torsion in plan in which these devices can be located opposite the elements that generate the torsion but without the need to take the elements to their base.

⦁ Structures with soft or flexible floors in which we add these elements in the precise locations where they are needed.

⦁ To stiffen and/or give ductility in general or in existing structures.

⦁ Structures like the usual ones in LimaPerú and other cities where the buildings have total adjoining height with other buildings maintaining a minimum seismic joint between both structures, the land is formed by elongated rectangles with dividing walls on the long sides.

⦁ Given that our special patented “castellated” type connection does not transfer axial force, the devices can be arranged freely in plan and height, specifically stiffening where it is needed and where it is possible due to the architecture.

⦁ Modern seismic-resistant design standards distinguish between the so-called “breakage drift” and “service drift”, limiting the former based on the structural system, whether based on frames (limit of the order of 0.025) or walls (limit of the order of only 0.015 ) so a system of frames but incorporating decoupled walls based on the additional stiffness required could be designed with a drift at breakage much higher than that of walls.

SLBs are the only devices whose low unit cost allows them to be used competitively both in reinforcing existing structures and in new projects. Various comparisons made show a saving of up to more than 70% compared to other similar systems and potentially an overall saving in the structure of 10%. Therefore, more than an additional cost, the use of this system allows optimizing the global cost of the structure and improving its response.

The fundamental reason for the use of seismic isolators is the possibility of “continuous operation” or “immediate occupation”. To achieve this, the commonly accepted parameters for immediate occupancy in a structure are:

With a floor displacement of less than 0.004 and a floor acceleration of less than 0.35g. Both values ​​can be achieved with proven SLB seismic dampers, and even using them they have been achieved with very flexible prefabricated structures that incorporate these elements.

On the other hand, tests carried out on structures with seismic isolation and in earthquakes with vertical components show that traditional structures (incorporating or not incorporating energy dissipators) can present less damage given that those with seismic isolators, because they can amplify these movements.

On the other hand, additionally, the energy dissipators do not require special construction techniques or strict maintenance throughout their useful life, while the base insulators must be replaced and re-evaluated every X years and the joint must be always operational.

It should be noted that base isolators concentrate the large deformations of the building at the base, which makes them more vulnerable to the effects of global overturning and failure due to large deformations and axial load.

The failure of a single insulator can cause the global chain failure of the structure, so its operability must be guaranteed throughout its useful life. The dissipators distribute the deformation in the various floors of the building and the eventual failure of a device does NOT cause the failure of the whole.

The approximate time to make a SLB power sink is approximately 15 days. The approximate time to make a SLB power sink is approximately 15 days.

The amount of energy that SLB devices can dissipate will depend on various factors such as the severity of the earthquake, structural configuration and number of dissipators arranged in a structure. That is, the damping in the structure will increase as more dampers enter the nonlinear range through the yielding of the steel.

Article 23 of the E.030 earthquake-resistant design standard specifies the use of seismic isolation systems or energy dissipation systems in the building, as long as the provisions of chapter II of this standard are met and to the extent that they are applicable with the requirements of the current ASCE/SEI 7 document. What in the case of SLB dissipators, if it is fulfilled.

SLB heat sinks can be incorporated into both new structures and existing structures. In the case of the latter, possible locations are studied to be arranged on diagonal steel bracing or decoupled reinforced concrete walls.

If it is possible to project prefabricated structures with SLB dissipators. In Peru, a completely prefabricated educational module has been designed where all the connections are articulated and where the function of the dissipators is to dissipate the energy introduced by the earthquake in addition to providing lateral rigidity in conjunction with the steel diagonals.

If it is possible to project steel structures with SLB dissipators. For these cases, bracing by means of steel diagonals will be an alternative to locate the SLB energy dissipators.

Yes, SLB quality certificates are delivered in each manufacturing process, which includes the material quality certificate. The material is tested for each production batch, verifying the exact characteristics and the stress-strain curve is determined to know the real Fy and Fu that the structural steel presents. The test is carried out using a platen sample and is carried out according to the ASTM-A370 standard.