A New Low-cost Seismic Isolation System Based on Pre-Inca Technology & Networking Reception

This evening event is organised by the SECED Young Members' Subcommittee and is chaired by Maria Liapopoulou. The event will be held in-person at the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) in London and will also be broadcast online. It will be followed by a networking reception (see below).

Synopsis

The seismic resilience of ancient Andean structures, particularly those found in Peru, offers compelling evidence of indigenous engineering practices that were both sophisticated and profoundly rooted in local materials and construction logic. Among the most intriguing elements uncovered in archaeological investigations are shicras—stones encased in fibre bags, traditionally placed in foundation layers. These assemblages, far from being merely symbolic or decorative, appear to have served as functional seismic isolation systems, effectively mitigating ground motion through energy dissipation mechanisms.

This talk presents a rigorous analytical and numerical study into the dynamic behaviour of shicras, with the objective of understanding and quantifying their potential as a low-cost seismic base isolation strategy for contemporary low-rise buildings in developing regions. The analytical model, developed using a variational formulation, characterizes the motion of shicras as irregular polygons subjected to horizontal excitation. The analysis focuses on energy dissipation through successive cycles of uplift, rocking, and rolling. Results show that such behaviour can effectively reduce transmissibility of seismic forces to the superstructure. In parallel, insights from ongoing numerical simulations and experimental campaign at Imperial College London will also be presented.

By drawing from indigenous knowledge and integrating it with modern engineering tools, this research seeks to establish shicras as a viable, low-cost seismic isolation solution for developing regions. The talk will highlight how this approach not only enhances resilience but also aligns with the broader goals of sustainability, local resource utilization, and heritage-inspired innovation in earthquake engineering.

About the speaker

Atif Rasheed is a PhD scholar in the Structures Section at Imperial College London, where he is researching the development of an innovative, low-cost seismic base isolation system using wrapped stones. This project aims to enhance the earthquake resilience of developing communities. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from Balochistan University of Engineering and Technology and a Master’s in Structural Engineering from the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) Pakistan. Atif is also an academic, with three years of experience as a Lecturer at NUST. During his Master’s, he was part of a research team that conducted a probabilistic seismic hazard assessment, contributing to the development of Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) and Spectral Acceleration (SA) maps for Pakistan, which were included in the most recent update of the national building code. His research interests include shake table testing, seismic base isolation, seismic hazard analysis, numerical simulations, and disaster resilience assessment.

Networking Reception

Following the lecture, we invite you to join us for a networking reception from 7:30pm - 8:30pm at the Institution of Structural Engineers. Complimentary drinks and savoury platters will be provided by SECED. This is a great opportunity for students and early-career professionals to connect with the earthquake and civil engineering dynamics community. We look forward to seeing you there!

Registration

The event is open to all and is free to attend.

• In-person attendance at this meeting is free and no registration is required. Seats are allocated on a first come, first served basis. 
• The event will also be broadcast online. To attend the presentation online, please join the meeting via Teams* by clicking on this link. No registration is required.

Further information

The event will be preceded by the AGM of the Young Members of SECED (6pm - 6.30pm). For further information, please contact Maria Liapopoulou (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

* Microsoft Teams is freely available on all major platforms, including Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android and iOS. To download and install the software, follow this link. SECED is not sponsored by or otherwise affiliated with Microsoft, and we do not endorse any Microsoft products.