Anti-vibration bearing

Anti-vibration bearings can prevent buildings from damage during an earthquake. One of the technologies involves the use of large ball bearings to support the weight of the airport roof. Each pillar is mounted on a steel ball bearing with a diameter of 1.5 meters. The steel ball is located in a concave base connected to the ground. 

Overview 

The newly-built San Francisco International Airport in the United States uses many advanced building technologies to make the buildings earthquake-proof. One of the technologies involves the application of large ball bearings, Each of the 267 columns supporting the weight of the airport is erected on a steel ball bearing with a diameter of 1.5 meters. The steel ball is located in a concave base connected to the ground. When an earthquake occurs, this device allows the ground to move 51 cm in any direction. The cylinders standing on the steel balls can move less than this distance because they roll around the base, which helps protect the building from ground movement. After the earthquake is over, gravity will pull the cylinder back to the center of the base.