Earthquake Engineering Research Earthquake Engineering Research InstituteInstitute
University of Notre DameUniversity of Notre Dame
US Risk Map: Earthquakes
0 None 1 Little 2 Some
1987
19831947
1980 3 Large
1986
1947
1980
New Madrid Fault
How can we protect the lives of those in danger?
We must design buildings that can
survive earthquakes!
Companies consisting of 3 or 4 partnersCompany nameNeed teamwork and planning Partner tasks
Building ownerArchitectEngineerBuilder
Use LEGO blocks to make masonry buildings
Base must be no bigger than 4 by 8 Lego dots
Must be at least 30 stories high
TestingDirection
PLAN VIEW
What goes into designing our building?
Owner pays for the building
wants to make money must have lots of
rooms, especially rooms with windows, and be very tall
What goes into designing our building?
Architect designs the building to meet the owner’s needs and to be beautiful
Santa Maria del Fiore,Florence
Hagia Sophia,IstanbulPantheon,
RomeSt. Paul’s Cathedral,London
San Pietro Citta’ del Vaticano,Rome
What makes a beautiful building?
What goes into designing our building?
Engineers help to design the building to make sure it does not collapse under the forces of nature
Construction The builder is
responsible for constructing the building based on the final design.
Hint: Be sure the blocks are firmly pressed together…connections are important!
History of the SkyscraperAncient structures were
masonry designs in which the strength comes from brick walls
Towers like the Washington Monument (1884) could reach 555 feet
Human Pyramid: Too heavy!
History of the Skyscraper
Important inventions at the end of the 1900’s Steel! Electricity ELEVATORS!
1st skyscraper used a steel skeleton (frame) instead of brick walls: Reliance Building (1891) in Chicago
History of the Skyscraper
Today’s skyscraper’s have “skeletons” made of steel which carries all the weight
This had allowed us to to build exciting structures and allowed us to reach new heights
Trans America BuildingSan Francisco (1972)853 ft
Empire State BuildingTransamerica Building
Sears TowerWorld Trade CenterFirst National Bank Building
Marina City John Hancock Building
Only two teamsRepresents steel frame
structuresCreate a beautiful,
landmark structureMaximize rent by having
more stories and larger useable space to make the owner happy
Base must be no bigger than 15x30 cm (1 red x 2 red)
Must be able to connect to a K’nex board
Must be at least 2 m highThe height of a useable
floor is at least 7.5 cm (blue)
Testing Day
3 minute company presentationsAwards will be presented!Final project report from each company
Good Luck!