Japan“s Obayashi Corp., a general contractor, has developed a glass wall that can absorb about 30% of the vibration from an earthquake, company officials said.
Officials claimed the glass wall will …
Japan“s Obayashi Corp., a general contractor, has developed a glass wall that can absorb about 30% of the vibration from an earthquake, company officials said. Officials claimed the glass wall will broaden the scope for building design by, for example, allowing thinner pillars than those currently required in order to stand up to tremors. It would also be possible to construct a thin building with glass walls on a narrow site, currently considered a difficult feat. The glass wall uses a rubber material between the wall and the pillar to absorb some of the vibration from a quake. The company“s tests showed that the glass wall can reduce a tremor with a seismic intensity of just under 6 to one at slightly above 5. In addition, no cracks were generated in the glass, the officials said. The company aims to commercialize the product at an early date after conducting more tests to confirm its safety.