Posted on Thu, Jun 10, 2010 @ 06:02 PM
How many times have you wished you could incorporate all aspects of your 2D plans into a single model to see how the structural, electrical, mechanical, plumbing and fire protection designs fit together? You're not alone, which is why the industry has seen an overwhelming trend in the number of construction professionals turning to 3D Building Information Modeling (BIM) for their seismic systems. Seismic BIM brings traditional 2D construction planning into the virtual and analytical world, a concept which has already proven to save time and money on their construction projects.
ISAT is working in partnership with VICO software to make available a 3D building information model that integrates plans from all engineering design fields so you have a complete visual of how all of the construction elements fit together, allowing for accurate project schedules and estimates. Did you know that in the 3D BIM world every hanger, every brace, every sleeve can be identified and modeled? By modeling these aspects to code you have the ability to build to code, ensuring project success and reducing change orders due to coordination issues between trades.
In a seismic 3D model you are able to predict the placement of installation components such as mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection to avoid both special and timing clashes that most projects typically experience. ISAT's involvement ensures all of the design elements can withstand the impact of a devastating earthquake and you see the seismic bracing integrated with the rest of the building design.
Building a virtual model of your construction project helps you see both structural and non-structural aspects put together so you can identify potential problems before beginning installation. Analyzing and visualizing potential problems in the 3D model makes it possible for all of the experts to finds solutions before incurring costs and causing delays in meeting critical deadlines. Investing in ISAT and VICO 3D business model processes yields long-term dividends by avoiding overspent budgets and construction delays.
Posted on Wed, Jan 27, 2010 @ 08:55 PM
Contact: Andrea Mayes FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Telephone: 877-523-6060
Email: services@isatsb.com
AFTER RESCUE AND RECOVERY - HAITI NEEDS SOUND SEISMIC PLANNING
California Company Helps Develop Seismic Standards and Planning to Save Lives
Haiti's tragedy and despair has gripped the hearts and minds of people throughout the world. The United States and other nations are coming together to support the Haitian people in their rescue and recovery. "The next step for Haiti is rebuilding and the need for quality seismic standards is evident to avoid future tragedies" according to Shannon Rose, Director of Engineering at International Seismic Application Technology.
On January 9 Northern California experienced a 6.5 magnitude earthquake with no lives lost as a result. The bulk of the structural damage in the California quake was limited to buildings constructed prior to the adoption of building codes requiring seismic loads to be accounted for. The 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti would not have caused such horrible devastation if proper structural engineering and design, like those used in California, had been used in developing Haiti's critical infrastructure. "ISAT is committed to work with the United Nations, USAID, Haiti's government, and other nations to ensure that rebuilding Haiti's infrastructure will use quality seismic standards and technology in building hospitals, schools, communication and transportation facilities, and other necessary structures" Rose said.
ISAT is a global provider of engineering services, consulting services and restraint system components for non-structural seismic bracing. ISAT specializes in the health care, industrial and commercial construction markets. ISAT focuses on providing code-compliant solutions that are both cost effective and construction friendly. ISAT's services are available to augment the specialized needs of the design construction teams or to simply act as a stand-alone seismic bracing engineer. ISAT can help nations like Haiti develop seismic codes and structural engineering design to meet the unique needs of their population based on their geography and history of earthquake activity.
Rose says: "The best way to honor the lives of the over 200,000 people who died in Haiti is to make sure we do everything possible to rebuild their nation so it is strong enough to endure future earthquakes."
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If you would like more information about seismic standards and engineering, or to schedule an interview with Shannon Rose, please contact Andrea Mayes at 714-994-6353 or by e-mail at services@isatsb.com
Posted on Thu, Mar 12, 2009 @ 01:10 PM
How Does It Affect You?
The vulnerability of non structural components during earthquakes and other natural disasters have been demonstrated and evaluated over time. Perhaps one of the best examples of that vulnerability is California's Northridge Earthquake in January of 1994. With a 6.7 magnitude and the highest ground acceleration ever recorded in an urban North America area [1], California experienced over twenty billion dollars in capital losses, eleven billion of which was attributed directly to government and commercial building damage [1].
Of the damaged commercial buildings, eleven were hospitals with both structural and non structural damage. These facilities were deemed either completely or partially unusable [1]. Not only were they unable to serve the 1600 people who needed hospitalization as a result of the quake [2], they had to transfer existing patients to other facilities, increasing the burden on nearby hospitals.
At the time of the Northridge earthquake, non-structural hazards (notably the collapse of suspended ceilings and lighting systems) were identified as a greater safety threat than even structural weaknesses [2]. Officials estimated that the cost of retrofitting these systems alone would exceed $297 million [2].Damage to these types of critical facilities led to the development of more stringent building codes throughout the US.
In the early 1900's there were three separate non-profit organizations dedicated to developing model construction codes used in the United States. These organizations came together to form one critically needed uniform model construction Code-The International Codes of 2000, 2003 and 2006 [3]. These International Codes have now been adopted at the state or local levels in all 50 states[3].
The International Building Code states [5]:
The code also states that if you are a manufacturer, equipment supplier, design engineer, specifying engineer and/or building owner you are to be held liable for the construction of these buildings. As important as our codes are, it is the professional commitment and capabilities of design and build professionals and compliance officials that ensures code requirements are met [3]. The government supports the importance of the International Building Codes by recognizing communities that effectively institutionalize natural disaster strategies in their building code adoption and enforcement by making disaster grants available.
Resources:
1. "1994 Northridge earthquake." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 16 February 2009. 16 February 2009.
2. "Preparing for the "Big One" --Saving Lives Through Earthquake Mitigation in Los Angeles, CA." Hud User Publications. 31 March 2005. 16 February 2009 3. "Climate Benefits of Improved Building Energy Efficiency," International Code Council. 17 July 2008. 16 February 2009.
4. "OSHPD Code Application Notice 2-1613A.1." State of CA Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development. 31 October 2008. 16 February 2009.
5. "Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures." The United States of America. ASCE Publications Division, 2006.