full Annual Report 2006 (PDF 3.2MB)

Feature ArticleTechnologyOur TechnologyFeature Article 2: Technology2: Kajima’s Disaster Prevention TechnologyProtects Businesses from Disaster RiskWith the globalization of markets and increasing complex supply chains, a company’s business continuity management(BCM) strategies in preparing for disaster have become a vital management issue. This is especially true inJapan, where over 20% of the world’s major earthquakes occur. This earthquake-prone country has suffered fromquakes many times, with the loss of much life and property. Kajima develops earthquake resistance and other disasterprevention technologies that support its clients’ BCM strategies, protecting them from damage caused byearthquakes, as well as fire, lightning and other causes.8Kajima’s Cutting-Edge Earthquake ResponseTechnology Provides Safety and SecurityEvaluating Earthquake Risk, and Sensing When a MajorTremor Is ImminentAs Japan is a country with frequent earthquakes, earthquakeresistance standards have been strengthened followingnumerous disasters. Researching the degree of earthquakerisk for a specific location, however, and the level ofdamage that can be expected in the event of an earthquakerequires several weeks and enormous expense. To overcomethese challenges, Kajima has developed a systemthat allows for easy, instant evaluations with an ordinarypersonal computer. The program forecasts the likelihood ofa major earthquake occurring in a specified location, thencompares and analyzes data on the building's constructionwith that of other structures in the area, providing an estimateof the degree of damage that can be expected, aswell as the cost.180Base isolation for overbuildingsIf an organization receives a warning even half a minute orso prior to a major tremor, it can take preventive measures,such as evacuation to safe areas, and emergency shutdownsof equipment to protect them from damage. TheCompany has developed its own unique early warning systemthat combines the system provided by the JapanMeteorological Agency with more detailed information onfoundations and structures, giving pinpoint predictions as tohow many seconds remain before a tremor shakes a particularplace or building. We are currently exploring practicalways to utilize this system.Buildings That Will Not Collapse, and Systems ThatMinimize ShakingOne of the hard-learned lessons from the Hanshin-AwajiEarthquake 11 years ago in 1995 was that nearly 90% ofthe fatalities resulted from crushing or suffocation causedby falling furniture or the collapse of old, fragile buildings.Buildings that did not collapse faced severed lifelines, withwrecked interiors and major damage from the fall of com-Winchor method for settinglaminated rubber bearings withwing-shaped plates