The startup develops earthquake-resilient seismic technology that can be integrated into new construction and retrofitting projects across various lateral load-resisting systems. This technology effectively mitigates earthquake forces and after-shocks, reducing structural damage and enhancing safety for occupants.
Funding
$10M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
Founders
Product
Problem
Structures in seismically active regions face significant risk of damage and downtime despite being over-engineered to comply with building codes. Traditional base isolation techniques are often too expensive for widespread adoption, leaving a gap in affordable, effective earthquake protection.
Solution
Tectonus provides cost-efficient structural solutions based on friction damper technology for both new and existing buildings, as well as storage tanks. Their seismic dampers reduce design loads, minimize structural damage, and ensure operational continuity following seismic events. By offering devices that self-center and dissipate energy, Tectonus enables buildings to safely rock and recenter themselves after an earthquake, limiting residual drift and minimizing downtime. The company supports structural designers from feasibility and concept design through detailed design and delivery, offering solutions applicable to steel frame, mass timber, and concrete structures.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes structural engineers designing new buildings or retrofitting existing structures in seismically active zones, as well as building owners and operators seeking to minimize earthquake damage and ensure business continuity, and operators of storage tanks.
Features
- DMAX Brace: A direct replacement for Buckling Restrained Braces (BRBs) with high damping (50%) and a low overstrength factor (1.15), reducing seismic demand and maximizing cost savings.
- RSFJ (Replaceable Shear Friction Joint): A self-centering friction damper that allows buildings to safely rock and recenter, minimizing damage and downtime.
- XBRACE: Tension-only cross braces with increased ductility, suitable for low-rise metal buildings, enhancing seismic capacity and reducing costs.
- RSFJ Hold Downs: Self-centering hold-downs for mass timber shear walls and columns, providing ductility, damping, and self-centering capabilities.
- Storage Tank Anchors: Seismic anchors for above-ground storage tanks that automatically reset after earthquakes, requiring no post-event repair or replacement.
- RSFJ and DFFJ Technology: Patented self-centering friction damper with energy dissipation and restoring force all-in-one.
- Design Support: In-house engineering team provides modeling and analysis support, assisting with design optimization and code compliance.
- Performance Testing: Every device is individually performance-tested prior to shipment, ensuring reliability and adherence to design specifications.