They absorb the energy that would otherwise travel into the building and cause damage. Some 100 buildings in the world have such a system, but it is very expensive. Absolutely, says Professor Tsu T. Soong of the National Center for Earthquake Engineering in Buffalo, New York. Sensors throughout a building continually monitor its movement, the way nerve cells monitor your body's movement. The active control system is now being tested in Tokyo.
Most engineers believe that any structure can be made earthquake-safe.
We just have to find ways to do it economically. These materials are part of an electronic library. They may be copied for classroom use, but not reposted or resold. Read our Privacy Policy Statement .