Project Innovation: Miniaturised BRBs
A World-First Seismic Solution
Project details
// Location -
Queenstown
// Size -
Modular hotel development
// Services -
// Structural Engineering
Pioneers of Innovation: The Process Behind a World-First Structural Design
A large-scale modular development in Queenstown challenged our structural engineers to find seismic stability solutions that could work within compact spaces. Their answer was a miniaturised buckling-restrained brace (BRB), installed vertically, something that had never been designed before or applied in this way.
Structural Technical Leader at Kirk Roberts, Rui Li, shared what it was like to invent a first-of-its-kind technology, the nerves, breakthroughs, and the mix of frustration and excitement that come with being at the forefront of innovation.
Traditional BRBs
First used in the late 1980s, BRBs dissipate seismic energy. Think of them as a building’s suspension system, absorbing and controlling energy during an earthquake. Traditionally, they are large, expensive, and installed diagonally. You only have to take a short walk through Christchurch’s CBD to see them in use. By acting as a controlled fuse point, BRBs allow engineers to determine where the building absorbs the most stress, protecting both the structure and its occupants.
Modular developments demand a different approach. By miniaturising the BRB and installing it vertically at the base of the structure, our engineers created a compact and cost-effective solution. This approach makes the BRBs easily replaceable, enhancing a building’s longevity after a major seismic event and enabling faster recovery for both the city and the client. It’s an innovative solution with a range of benefits and significant potential for the future of construction.
“It was just a natural progression” Rui explains. “We combined multiple theories, having a fuse of some point, a bucking restraint brace, and thought ‘let’s put it this way and fit it in’.”
Innovation Backed by Leadership
Normally pitching this idea would be when the nerves for a new design kick in, but not at Kirk Roberts. “Jade was driving it” says Rui of CEO Jade Kirk. “He was part of the decision from the start. We identified the challenges, asked ‘what should we do?’, and decided, let’s try it.”
With the full backing of Kirk Roberts leadership, Rui and his team set out to transform a bold concept into a working, tested reality.
BRBs are highly technical and require rigorous testing, which is why many engineers rely on off-the-shelf BRBs which have already been designed and tested.
“They’re not a new concept,” Rui says, “but most consultants would just buy one rather than figure it all out themselves. So, the development of the miniaturised BRB has wider implications for our team; the process, the testing and the theory behind it. All that knowledge can be applied across future projects.”
When the time came for testing, the team was on edge. “You’re holding your breath waiting for it,” Rui says. “You’ve done the numbers, but until you see it in action, you just don’t know for sure.”
All the team’s work came down to a 15 minute test, and the result was a success.
“The device performed exactly as expected. It proved our calculations were right and showed real potential for the future. It was quite validating.”
Charting New Territory
While the device itself performed flawlessly, using it vertically was uncharted territory. “You’re scared because you’re making something new so it’s a bit daunting.”
Most designs involve simplifications and assumptions, using performance data and experience to guide the outcome. With a world-first design, you don’t have real world experience to work from.
“There are well-established methods that give you a good idea of what to expect. But when you start creating something truly new, it becomes much harder to prove how it will perform as a complete building system.”
To ensure the building can withstand significant seismic forces while testing this new approach, the team added a secondary seismic structure for additional assurance.
“The device itself was good; we couldn’t have asked for a better result” Rui explains. “But using it vertically is new. As far as we know, it’s never been done before – certainly not in New Zealand. It’s exciting, but also a bit nerve-wracking to be first.”
With construction underway, and a second smaller development in planning, our engineers are already looking at how the miniaturised BRBs can be further developed.
“To get more confidence in this application, we’ll complete a more advanced structural analysis, essentially, simulation of the building in the earthquake.” Rui says. “That will allow us to apply it more consistently in future modular buildings.”
A Future of New Possibilities
The miniaturised BRB design is a superior solution for modular developments. Not only is it more cost-efficient due to savings on other structural elements, but when used at the base of building, it is also easily replaceable, something that BRBs have not been, until now. Our team’s resilience-focused design could future-proof developments, making it suitable for a wider range of buildings while helping developers save costs.
“In the next ten years, we’ll definitely look to apply and develop it to more things outside of modular buildings, like at the bottom of a concrete wall so you can use it in a conventional building, as a replaceable fuse instead of a normal wall which is hard to repair.”
When innovative thinking is consistently applied to real-world challenges, it reshapes what is possible. Our team’s commitment to find better ways will result in a more resilient and sustainable future for New Zealand.
“It’s exciting to see this level of innovation emerging from our small corner of the world,” says CEO Jade Kirk. “Our team is truly making its mark. This is just the beginning of something remarkable, and we’re excited to keep developing this work to see just how far it can go.”
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