| Base isolation is the cutting
edge solution used by architects and engineers worldwide to
protect buildings, bridges, and other structures from the
damaging effects of earthquakes.
Seismic base isolation works by de-coupling
a structure from seismic ground motions and vibrations, thereby
eliminating or dramatically reducing the path through which
damaging shock waves and vibrations can travel.
With the introduction of ISO-Base™ Seismic
Isolation Platform technology, WST is the first to apply these
proven engineering principles to seismically protect nonstructural
building components and equipment.
Bolted cabinet without ISO-Base |
Unbolted cabinet with ISO-Base
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ISO-Base technology is the most effective
way to protect your firm's mission-critical and expensive
electronic equipment. A patented "geometry specific"
isolation bearing is used to decouple the equipment (or any
structure) from damaging ground motions.
At the heart of the system is the patented
Ball-N-Cone™ seismic isolation bearing, consisting of
two load plates with matching conical recesses sandwiched
over a steel ball bearing.
This unique design allows the platform to
roll smoothly and evenly while accepting input ground accelerations
from any direction. Using gravity as a restoring force, the
bearing re-centers itself as shaking intensity decreases.
The bearing also works as a white-noise filter that virtually
eliminates the transfer of seismic vibrations into sensitive
componentry.
If all other peripheral systems (such as power)
stay up and running, your isolated equipment can and will
continue to operate and process data right on through a major
earthquake.
ISO-Base™ base-isolation technology
passed the intense UBC-Bellcore Engineering Test (R7.5), and
was proven to exceed Seismic Zone 4 Requirements.
Ball-N-Cone™ Seismic Isolation Bearing |
ISO-Base™ Platform Plank |
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Traditional rigid fastening methods of bolting
and anchoring equipment to a raised floor or a concrete subfloor
increases the load during seismic activity on the floor anchorage
by as much as 2-1/2 times the item’s weight. Thus, a
1000-pound item could exert up to 2500 pounds of force on
the floor.
ISO-Base™ platforms do just the opposite.
During seismic activity, the floor loading from items placed
on isolation platforms will actually be reduced by 90%; thus,
while in motion, a base-isolated 1000-pound item would exert
only about 100 pounds of force on the floor.
Using ISO-Base technology could mean the difference
between a successful post-earthquake recovery or a major disaster
due to a floor collapse.
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