Seismic fuse inserts are lengths of high tensile steel of precisely known properties which have been machined to high tolerances. These are fitted into a reinforcement frame using a full performance joint such as a screwed coupling. It is by virtue of their precisely known properties that the seismic design codes can be implemented.

Designers need to no longer be concerned by the over-strength factors arising from over-strength in the reinforcement.  Similarly, constructors on site can be spared the burden of testing every batch of steel to ensure that it conforms to the over-strengths limit. The logistics nightmare of returning non-compliant batches can also be avoided.

Goodfellow, R., Pinho, R., Salama, A. and Hancock, M. Proc. Conf. On Earthquake Resistant Structures, ERES 99, Catania, Italy, 1999.

Patent granted: Fail-Safe Device 

International Patent PCT/GB99/01040

US Patent App No 09/673,060

European Patent No. 1073810