Japanese company Air Danshin is developing a system that uses compressed air to lift houses during earthquakes

 

It's fascinating to learn about the innovative earthquake protection technology being developed by Air Danshin. Here's a breakdown of what I've found:

 * The Technology:

   * Air Danshin has created a system that uses compressed air to lift houses slightly off their foundations during earthquakes.

   * Sensors detect seismic tremors, which then trigger an air compressor.

   * The compressor inflates airbags positioned beneath the house, effectively lifting it.

   * This "floating" action aims to isolate the structure from the ground's shaking, minimizing damage.

 * Key Features:

   * The system is designed to react quickly to seismic activity.

   * It offers an alternative approach to traditional seismic isolation methods.

   * The lift height is around 3 cm.

     

 * Important Considerations:

   * It's important to distinguish between the actual Air Danshin technology and misleading depictions of "floating houses" that have circulated online.

   * The system is designed to mitigate the effects of earthquakes, but like all systems, it has limitations.

   * This technology is designed to help with lateral shaking earthquakes.

 * Purpose:

   * The goal of this system is to reduce the amount of damage that homes and other buildings sustain during earthquakes.

This technology represents a very interesting approach to dealing with the very real threat of earthquakes, especially in a seismically active nation like Japan.

It's important to clarify the specifics of Air Danshin's earthquake protection system, as there's often some misinformation circulating. Here's a more detailed look:

Core Technology:

 * Seismic Isolation via Air:

   * Air Danshin's system is a form of seismic isolation. It aims to decouple the building from the ground's shaking.

         

   * This is achieved by using compressed air to lift the structure, creating a buffer between the foundation and the earth.

 * Sensor and Compressor System:

   * The system relies on sensitive seismic sensors that detect ground tremors.

   * Upon detection, these sensors trigger an air compressor to rapidly inflate airbags located beneath the building.

   * This inflation lifts the building, typically by a few centimeters (around 3 cm or 1.2 inches).

 * Operational Mechanism:

   * During normal conditions, the building rests on its foundation.

   * When an earthquake occurs, the system activates within approximately 0.5 to 1 second.

   * The air cushion remains active as long as the sensors detect seismic activity.

   * Once the shaking subsides, the air is released, and the building returns to its foundation.

         

Key Points:

 * Limitations:

   * The system is most effective against lateral (horizontal) shaking. It may have limitations in dealing with strong vertical ground motion.

   * It is important to remember that all earthquake protection systems have limitations.

 * Purpose:

   * The primary goal is to reduce the transmission of seismic forces to the building, thereby minimizing structural damage.

 * Real vs. Misleading Images:

   * It's crucial to distinguish between the actual Air Danshin technology and sensationalized depictions of "floating houses." Some images circulating online are digitally created and do not accurately represent the system.

   * The system lifts the house a small amount, it does not make the house float high in the air.

 * Deployment:

   * This technology has been deployed in a number of homes within Japan.

In essence, Air Danshin's system is a sophisticated air-based seismic isolation technology designed to enhance earthquake resilience.