en.Wedoany.com Reported - Chile's JRI Group (Grupo JRI) has launched a seismic energy dissipation device called BASE-FD, specifically designed for seismic retrofitting of industrial structures. The device was developed in response to the need for adaptive retrofitting of many infrastructure projects built before the new seismic code NCh2369 came into effect. These industrial plants, when verified against the new standards, typically face complex reinforcement procedures, high costs, and prolonged production shutdowns.
According to JRI Group, the main advantage of BASE-FD lies in its ability to reduce installation costs and minimize operational downtime. Compared to traditional reinforcement and other conventional energy dissipation systems, this device offers minimal structural intervention.
Unlike other solutions installed in bracing or stiffening components, BASE-FD is mounted directly at the base of metal columns. The system utilizes friction plates compressed by pre-tensioned bolts, effectively dissipating energy generated by earthquakes.
The device was experimentally validated at the DICTUC Dynamic Testing Laboratory of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. During the tests, six full-scale prototypes underwent displacement cycles representing the expected seismic demands of large industrial structures. Results showed that the system's behavior remained stable over time, even when the number of test cycles far exceeded expectations.
The BASE-FD device has been tested using the maximum intensity defined by the updated national seismic code (NCh2369:2025).
Advanced computational models indicate that in many cases, incorporating BASE-FD can eliminate the need for additional structural reinforcement in retrofit projects.
JRI Group aims to position BASE-FD as a competitive technology among seismic mitigation solutions, offering technical efficiency, cost reduction, and higher operational continuity for the industrial sector.
The development of BASE-FD was led by Cristian Urzúa. He is a senior structural specialist at JRI Engineering, a graduate in Civil Engineering from the Universidad de Chile, and holds a Master's degree in Engineering Sciences (specializing in Earthquake Engineering) from the same university. According to him, the motivation stemmed from his master's thesis, where he observed that energy dissipation generated by ductile anchors at the base—a characteristic of Chilean practice—provided a relevant energy absorption mechanism for industrial structures.
To improve the performance of these fuses, he sought support from JRI's Technical Development Department. After six years of rigorous work, they completed the development of the BASE-FD friction energy dissipation device. The device has been patented in Chile, Peru, and Mexico, and is considered an ideal solution for seismic retrofitting of existing structures, offering significant advantages for seismic response control in new structures.
