Methods and apparatus of building construction resisting earthquake and flood damage

摘要

A three part foundation system for supporting a building is described. Three part foundation systems can include a containment vessel, which constrains a buffer medium to an area above the containment vessel, and a construction platform. A building can be built on the construction platform. In a particular embodiment, during operation, the construction platform and structures built on the construction platform can float on the buffer medium. In an earthquake, a construction platform floating on a buffer medium may experience greatly reduced shear forces. In a flood, a construction platform floating on a buffer medium can be configured to rise as water levels rise to limit flood damage.

主权项

1. A method of construction a three part foundation system for a structure, the three part foundation system including a containment vessel, a buffer medium and a construction platform, the method comprising,
forming a containment vessel for holding a buffer medium on a ground; filling the containment vessel with the buffer medium; testing whether the containment vessel holds the buffer medium; draining the buffer medium from the containment vessel; forming a construction platform above the containment vessel wherein the construction platform including the structure is configured to float on the buffer medium when the buffer medium is added to the containment vessel; adding the buffer medium to the containment vessel to allow the construction platform and the structure to float on the buffer medium; positioning the construction platform relative to sides of the containment vessel such that during an earthquake the containment vessel can move from side to side while the construction platform floats above it allowing seismic forces transferred from the ground to the construction platform to be minimized; and installing a sealing mechanism between the construction platform and the containment vessel for preventing debris from entering into the buffer medium and/or preventing evaporation of the buffer medium.