Safety technology to prepare for disasters

Prepare for Earthquakes

Abeno Harukas has seismic resistance capable of withstanding seismic waves 1.5 times larger than the level specified in government regulations, thanks to its state-of-the-art earthquake-resistant technologies. Also, a safe structural frame is used that can withstand earthquakes with an intensity of 7 on the Japanese seven-stage seismic scale.

 Type of earthquake
Relationship between seismic motion cycle and a building’s tremor velocity (velocity response spectrum)
Earthquake-resistance grade table
Suppress deformation by means of the framework

Super-high-strength CFT pillar (Concrete Filled steel Tube)

Supporting the building are super-high-strength CFT pillars made of the highest-strength concrete and steel columns. A one-meter square column can support a load of approximately 20,000 tons (the weight of about 4,000 elephants).

 Super-high-strength CFT pillar
Comparison of Super-high-strength CFT pillars and Regular CFT pillars

Outrigger

Create “knots” in frameworks and help to suppress the overall deformation

Outrigger effect
Absorb earthquakes’ tremor

Hybrid dampers (energy absorbers)

Two types of vibration-controlling dampers are installed on the lower floors to absorb an earthquake’s energy and suppress the building’s vibration. These two types of dampers can always produce a stable damping force that suits the building’s condition.

Hybrid dampers (energy absorbers)

Corrugated steel plate wall: WAVY *patented

On the middle floors, corrugated steel plate walls are used. They persistently resist earthquakes and reduce the building’s vibration by absorbing an earthquake’s energy.

Wavy shapes prevent swelling Persistently transform and absorb earthquakes’ energy (Corrugated steel plate walls) Mainly installed on office floors in 225 locations

Shaft dampers (energy absorbers) *patented

On the higher floors, shaft dampers are installed. They are a combination of central pillars used in the world’s oldest five-story pagoda and vibration-controlling dampers which represent today’s technology. During earthquakes, dampers installed between the central pillars and surrounding frames reduce the building’s vibration.

 Absorb earthquakes’ tremor
Shaft dampers (energy absorbers)
What are shaft dampers?
Transfer the tremor’s force to the ground

Piled raft foundation *Received the 2005 Architectural Institute of Japan’s Technology Award

A piled raft system is used for the foundations. Piles and a raft foundation are integrated to transfer a large force affecting the building to the ground.

Piled raft foundation