ASCE-EERI Seismic Design
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We design, analyze, and construct a balsa wood model skyscraper to resist earthquakes on a shake table. This year, we plan on strengthening our seismic predictions by creating a smaller-scale model solely for material testing. In this process, every member can become familiar with building balsa wood models and better understand the overall design process. Once we receive the rules, we explore several components of the structure, including the structural system, architectural styles, and processes of construction. With sufficient research and additional guidance from our professors, we then produce, test, and analyze a prototype on a shake table. After this rigorous testing procedure, we finalize our structure before going to competition.
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Approximately 40 international teams come together at the Seismic Design Competition hosted annually by the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI). All teams test their balsa wood structures on a shake table and share their structural systems and architectural designs. The competition is scored on these elements as well as the accuracy of performance predictions and the building’s anticipated annual revenue.
We started competing in the Seismic Design Competition in 2010, and only two years later, we won 1st place at the 2012 EERI conference in Memphis, Tennessee. In 2013, we defended our title by taking home 1st place again in Seattle, Washington. After falling short in Anchorage, Alaska for the 2014 competition, our team came back strong in the following year in 2015, winning 2nd place out of 38 schools and snatching the coveted CSI Communication Award in Boston, Massachusetts. In the past seven years, we received two 2nd place finishes, two 4th place finishes, and two 6th place finishes. We are excited for the 2026 competition, where we hope to win big once again! |
Watching our structure get shaken at Seismic Design Competition @ UC Berkeley 2025!
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Thank you to our sponsors!
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No matter how large or small the project is, staying within budget is always a top priority. Our Seismic Design team is actively seeking support to help cover the cost of essential project materials such as balsa wood, wood glue, tape, and other supplies critical to our building process. In addition, transporting both our team members and our structure to the competition are significant logistical and financial challenges. Sponsoring the team would play a crucial role in helping us overcome these hurdles and achieve our goals. We are also eager to have student members get involved with Seismic Design! Active participation in the project not only strengthens our team, but provides valuable hand-on experience. We encourage student members to follow our Instagram to stay updated with our workdays and progression!
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