Gapped-inclined brace (GIB) systems

The gapped-inclined brace (GIB) technology is a novel technology that has been recently introduced for protecting structures against earthquakes and floods. The GIB technology is only installed at the bottom floors of multi-story buildings and significantly improves their seismic performance. It also protects the building against the flood.

The GIB technology has been developed at the University of Toronto and have been verified using a number of numerical simulations and full-scale tests. Recently, it has been also implemented in real buildings.

  • GIB consists of readily steel braces -> highly cost-effective.
  • Retrofit takes place at parking only -> total retrofit work less than a week
  • Retrofit takes place at parking only -> retrofit cost up to 50% less than other solutions.
  • Retrofit takes place at parking only -> no need to shut down the building during retrofit.
  • Retrofit concentrate at parking only -> repair cost up to 80% less than other solutions.
  • Damages concentrate at parking only -> no need to shut down the building during repair.

How GIB works

The gapped-inclined brace (GIB) system consists of a steel brace and a carefully selected gap element that is installed at the bottom of the first floors nearly vertical. Once the building sways laterally during earthquakes, the gap is closed, taking all the vertical loads from the existing first-story columns, thus preventing collapse of the first stories. Because the GIB is installed nearly vertical, it does not add significant stiffness and strength, thus damage remains concentrated at the first level and the superstructure remains almost without damages.

The GIB system has been verified using a number of full-scale tests at the Structural Testing Facility at the University of Toronto. The results of the test demonstrated that the GIB system significantly improved the behavior of the RC frame.
The tests confirmed that GIB increases the displacement capacity of the RC frame from 1.5% to more than 7.0% drift.

Increasing Ductility of Structures Using Steel Jacketing

GIB significantly improves the seismic performance of multi-story buildings.

GIB greatly reduces the likelihood of collapse by increasing the displacement capacity and by reducing P-delta effects.

GIB significantly reduces lateral displacement, residual displacement and the floor acceleration at upper stories.

The GIB technology has been recently designed on a real five-story RC building in Tehran, Iran. The selected building represents hundreds of thousands of existing soft-storey buildings in Iran that were constructed over the past three decades.

Costs of the GIB retrofit was 50% less than that of conventional retrofit solutions.

GIB significantly improves the seismic performance of multi-story buildings.

GIB greatly reduces the likelihood of collapse by increasing the displacement capacity and by reducing P-delta effects.

GIB significantly reduces lateral displacement, residual displacement and the floor acceleration at upper stories.

We’re Here To Help Your Business Blast Off!

Through Creative Ideas, Innovation & Sheer Determination

Let’s Get Started!