UC San Diego Tests 10-Story Earthquake-Resistant Steel Building

In a groundbreaking experiment, engineers at the University of California, San Diego tested a full-scale, 10-story building by simulating powerful earthquakes, including the deadly 1989 Loma Prieta and 1994 Northridge quakes.

What made this building unique was its lightweight frame, made of cold-formed steel, a cheaper and faster-to-build material often overlooked for high-rises due to strict U.S. code limitations.

Using the world’s only outdoor simulator capable of mimicking seismic activity on such a large structure, researchers found that the building maintained its structural integrity, even after intense shaking.

The test also examined whether internal systems, like piping and fasteners, could hold up under stress. Current U.S. codes limit cold-formed steel to six stories or 65 feet, but this test could open the door to taller, more affordable, and earthquake-resilient housing.

As demand grows for sustainable and rapid construction solutions, researchers say it’s time to reconsider the rules.