Newport-based structural engineering firm, Cintec International, has developed a new type of dissipative wall anchor to protect heritage buildings in some of the most earthquake-prone parts of the world.

Cintec anchors have been used to strengthen and restore historically significant structures around the globe, including Egypt’s pyramids, Windsor Castle, and even the White House.

This new product is an innovative dissipative anchor to use with Cintec’s tried-and-tested wall anchor system.

The standard Cintec anchor system consists of a stainless steel anchor body encapsulated in a fabric sock. Diamond holes are drilled into the building and the anchor is placed in the hole. The special grout in then pumped to the far end of the anchor, filling from back to front until the entire sock is inflated like a balloon. After the anchor has been inflated, the walls have been securely strengthened without spoiling the outside appearance of the building.

However, for buildings subject to regular earthquake activity, there is a possibility of pull-out damage at the anchorage head. This new anchor solves this problem by allowing for small movement through a sliding mechanism.

The Cintec dissipative anchor consists of a set of stainless steel plates to which four bolts apply pressure, creating friction to an adjustable degree. There are built in stops to restrict the sliding motion, and connectors which link to Cintec’s standard anchor rods. The anchor allows a controlled and repairable drift for the walls, managing the amount of seismic energy fed into the structure, and therefore minimizing damage to the building.

The anchor came as a result of Cintec’s involvement with the European NIKER project. In 2011, Cintec was chosen as the only British commercial company to actively participate in this project, the aim of which was to protect the artistic value of cultural heritage sites from earthquake induced damage. Cintec has been working in collaboration with the University of Bath to create and test the dissipative anchor since then, and has now patented the finished product.

Peter James, managing director of Cintec International, which is based at Gold Tops in Newport, said: “This anchor has been four years in development within the NIKER program. It has undergone extensive testing at Bath University, and in Italy. We believe that it is a major breakthrough in further protecting the world’s iconic buildings, especially in areas of high seismic activity.”