耐震構造(たいしんこうぞう)

Composed of 耐震(たいしん) (earthquake-resistant) and 構造(こうぞう) (structure, construction). Japan's strict building codes require most structures to incorporate seismic resistance, making this term common in news, real estate, and daily conversation.

Japanese earthquake engineering distinguishes three main approaches:

• 耐震(たいしん) (earthquake-resistant): the building is strong enough to endure shaking
• 免震(めんしん) (seismic isolation): the building is isolated from ground motion using special bearings
• 制震(せいしん) (vibration damping): the building absorbs and dissipates seismic energy

After the 1981 revision of Japan's Building Standards Act, buildings meeting the new code are called 新耐震(しんたいしん) (new seismic standard), a key term in real estate.

Common collocations

• 耐震構造(たいしんこうぞう)の建物(たてもの): earthquake-resistant building
• 耐震構造(たいしんこうぞう)に改修(かいしゅう)する: to retrofit for earthquake resistance
• 耐震構造(たいしんこうぞう)の基準(きじゅん): seismic structural standards
• 耐震構造(たいしんこうぞう)の設計(せっけい): earthquake-resistant structural design

Similar words

• 免震構造(めんしんこうぞう): seismic isolation structure — uses isolators to decouple the building from ground shaking
• 制震構造(せいしんこうぞう): vibration-damping structure — uses dampers to absorb earthquake energy
• 耐震(たいしん)補強(ほきょう): seismic reinforcement — strengthening an existing building rather than building anew