Active bracing systems

A recent full-scale mockup conducted on a six-story building in downtown Tokyo showed the practicality of 'smart' bracing systems for seismic design. The idea behind the 'smart' system is that it can sense what the building is experiencing and, through electronic and hydraulic feedback, activate braces to counteract the vibrations. Wide applications of this system may be considered for such structures as bridges, buildings, towers, and offshore platforms.