Grupo JRI introduces BASE-FD, an innovative friction-based seismic damper for steel column base connections, designed to become an efficient solution for the seismic retrofit of existing industrial structures and to enhance the seismic performance of new facilities.
This innovation responds to the growing need to upgrade infrastructure built before the entry into force of the latest version of Chile’s seismic standard, NCh2369. In many cases, industrial plants requiring upgrades or capacity expansions must now be verified under this updated standard, often resulting in complex structural reinforcements, high implementation costs, and prolonged operational shutdowns.
One of the device’s key advantages is its ability to significantly reduce installation costs and operational downtime, as it requires only minimal intervention to the existing structure, compared with traditional strengthening methods and other conventional energy dissipation systems.
Unlike other solutions that are incorporated into bracing systems or structural stiffening elements, BASE-FD is installed directly at the base of steel columns. The system uses friction plates compressed by pre-tensioned bolts, enabling the efficient dissipation of seismic energy during an earthquake.
The device was validated through an experimental testing campaign conducted at the Dynamic Testing Laboratory of DICTUC, part of Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. During the campaign, six full-scale prototypes were subjected to displacement cycles representative of the expected seismic demands on large industrial structures. The results demonstrated stable and consistent performance over time, even when testing was extended well beyond the number of loading cycles anticipated in real earthquake events.
As a result, BASE-FD has been successfully tested under the maximum seismic intensity defined by the Chilean seismic standard NCh2369:2025.
These findings are further supported by advanced computational simulations, which indicate that incorporating BASE-FD can, in many cases, eliminate the need for additional structural reinforcement in seismic rehabilitation projects.
The development of BASE-FD was led by Cristian Urzúa, Senior Structural Specialist at JRI. He is a Civil Engineer from Universidad de Chile and holds a Master of Science in Engineering, with a specialization in earthquake engineering, from the same institution. According to Urzúa, the idea originated during his master’s research, when he identified that energy dissipation at the column base through ductile anchor bolts—a characteristic feature of Chilean engineering practice—provided a highly effective mechanism for energy absorption in industrial structures.
Through this innovation, Grupo JRI aims to position BASE-FD as a competitive technology within the field of seismic mitigation solutions, combining technical efficiency, lower implementation costs, and improved operational continuity for the industrial sector.
To watch an explanatory video of the device, click here.
Interested in optimizing the seismic performance of your structures? Contact us at contacto@grupojri.cl and discover how this solution can deliver real value to your operations. Our team will respond promptly to evaluate how BASE-FD can be applied to your project.
