Bridges To Cope With Shocks (Press, 12 November 1977)
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Summary: Bridges To Cope With Shocks (Press, 12 November 1977)
On 12 November 1977, it was reported that earthquake-resistant shock absorbers, designed to withstand quakes of at least magnitude 7 on the Richter scale, are being installed for the first time in New Zealand on two bridges in Wellington. These shock absorbers, known as lead extrusion dampers, represent a groundbreaking technology developed by Dr Bill Robinson, the head of the physics division at the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research's Physics and Engineering Laboratory. After two years of development, the dampers are now being installed in the Aurora Terrace overbridge and the Bolton Street overbridge. The functioning of these dampers is analogous to that of vehicle shock absorbers. However, instead of using oil, they utilise high purity lead. The dampers are composed of pistons connected by a tie rod, and the lead is extruded through a restricted section of the cylinder when forces act on the bridges. Additionally, the bridges are equipped with glide bearings to allow for horizontal movement, while the dampers also prevent excessive movement during the braking of heavy traffic. Dr Robinson stated that the dampers had undergone rigorous testing—20 trials were conducted to confirm their reliability for earthquake magnitude 7 and beyond. The New Zealand Government has secured patents for the technology in key international markets, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan. The dampers are being manufactured commercially by a firm in Auckland, and ongoing research is being conducted into similar shock absorbers for potential use in buildings. In other news, American transsexual tennis player Renee Richards advanced to the finals of the River Plate women’s international tennis championships in Buenos Aires after defeating Argentinian player Viviana Gonzalez Loccicero with a score of 6-0, 7-6. Richards is set to compete against Ivana Madruga from Argentina in the final match.
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