MAGNETIC LEVITATION IN ARCHITECTURE

Student Name:    shah Zaib Afridi

Roll No. CE18AR29

ADVISOR. AR. IRFAN ALI BROHI

DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING SABS

UNIVERSITY OF ART, DESIGN AND HERITAGES JAMSHORO
CONTENTS
1. Summary of Proposal, Brief Introduction and Background

2. Motivation for The Research Topic

3. Motivation for The Research Topic

4. Hypothesis/Problem Statement

5. Aims and Objectives

6. Methodology of Study

7. Analyses and Results / Conclusion

8. Reference

5.    INTRODUCTION
Magnetic levitation (maglev) technology can be used in architecture to create buildings that
appear to be floating in the air. This technology uses magnetic fields to suspend and stabilize an
object, allowing it to levitate without any visible means of support.

In architecture, maglev can be used to create unique and visually stunning structures that appear
to defy gravity. One example of this is the Shanghai Maglev Train Station in China, which
features a maglev train that appears to float above the ground as it travels through the station.

Maglev technology can also be used to create floating buildings, such as the "FLOAT" project by
architect Darrick Borowski. This project proposes using maglev technology to suspend a floating
building above a park in New York City, creating a unique and futuristic public space.

One of the main advantages of using maglev technology in architecture is that it can reduce the
environmental impact of buildings. By reducing the amount of material needed to support a
building, maglev structures can be built with a smaller carbon footprint.

However, there are also some challenges associated with using maglev technology in
architecture. One of the main challenges is the cost of the technology, which can be expensive to
implement on a large scale. Additionally, maglev structures may be vulnerable to earthquakes or
other natural disasters, which could pose a risk to occupants.
Overall, while maglev technology has the potential to revolutionize architecture, it remains a
relatively untested and experimental approach to building design. As such, it will likely take time
for this technology to become more widely adopted and integrated into mainstream architecture.

Our World is not the world once it was to be. Speaking of Human Civilization, World has
changed a lot more in the last 200 years than it had in the last 5000 years. It is in our nature, a
basic instinct of all species, to live in a smarter way. It is the quest for this smartness that started
the birth of all civilizations and that led to the world we are in today.

The first humans started to settle inside caves, the first of “Engineered homes”. Then from small
thatched huts to Modern Reinforced Glass Domes in today’s world, Civil Engineering, the
Primordial Engineering field has seen amazing scientific and technological uplifts in the field of
Construction.

One of the greatest challenge for a constructed building is to stand still facing severe natural
calamities like Earthquake and flooding. Earthquake resistant designing is not a new area of
research for Engineers and architects alike. While high rise buildings and enormous structures
represent the grandeur in construction industry, a safer construction represents the intellectual
marvel in it. This research proposes a unique idea of using magnetic levitation as a practical
alternative for an Earthquake cum Flood resistant structure. With the rise in sea-levels and high
rate of continental plate tectonics in the last few decades, levitating buildings will be a promising
area in the future construction industry.                                                                                                             
In the mid of 19th Century the literature was published the concept of magnetic levitation.
Although magnetic levitation in various forms have already been patented, this project proposes
a unique way of combining base isolation technique with magnetic levitation. The purpose of this
thesis work is to design and study about magnetically levitating foundation to make buildings
float at times of natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods. Although there are different
technologies that aid in the construction of earthquake or flood resistant buildings, the concept of
magnetic levitation is the area of research for this dissertation. The project deals with Designing
of An Eco-friendly Smart Building with magnetically levitating base as an Earthquake Resistant
Structure. This project incorporates multiple approaches towards Earthquake resistant designs
and tries to avoid the traditional approach of using only dampers or using base isolators.

Overall, magnetic levitation technology has the potential to be used in earthquake-resistant

buildings, but more research and development is needed to address the challenges and make it a
viable option.

Principle of Magnetic levitation

Magnetic levitation is the phenomenon in which two magnetic objects are repelled from each
other in a vertical direction. The phenomenon, also known as MAGLEV, the levitation creates a
magnetic cushion which tries to resist seismic forces on structure.

6. BACKGROUND HISTORY
The concept of magnetic levitation has a long history dating back to the early 18th century. In
1839, Earnshaw's theorem showed that electrostatic levitation cannot be stable. In March 1912,
Emile Bachelet was awarded a patent for his electromagnetic suspension system. In 1933, the
Meissner effect was developed by Walther Meissner and Robert Ochsenfeld as the concept of
super diamagnetism. Hermann Kemper filed a patent for "Placeholder1" in 1934, which was
related to magnetic levitation. In 1939, Braunbeck's extension showed that magnetic levitation is
possible with diamagnetic materials as well. In the 1970s, Roy M. Harrigan developed spin-
stabilized magnetic levitation.

In recent years, there have been significant advancements in the field of magnetic levitation. In
1997, Andre Geim diamagnetically levitated a live frog. China successfully developed an HTS
maglev test vehicle with a man loading it in 2000 and named it "Century." In March 2005, Japan
began operating its relatively low-speed HSST "Linimo" line in time for the 2005 World Expo.
In 2013-2014, Henderson and his friends registered a patent for the "First Magnetic Levitation
Foundation" under different patent numbers in the USA.

These advancements in magnetic levitation technology have opened up new possibilities in the
field of construction. Magnetic levitation can potentially be used as an alternative to traditional
base isolation techniques to make buildings earthquake and flood-resistant. The proposed project
aims to explore the feasibility and effectiveness of using magnetic levitation as a practical
solution to construct eco-friendly smart buildings with magnetically levitating bases that can
float during natural disasters.
3.MOTIVATION
"Where Physics ends Architecture begins. I believe unconventional architecture can use known
physics in novel ways to solve environmental issues. This is an architecture experiment, not the
other way around. But it's inspired by physics."

The motivation for this research topic is the need for innovative solutions to improve the safety
and sustainability of buildings in the face of natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods.
These disasters can cause widespread destruction, loss of life, and economic damage, and
traditional approaches to earthquake-resistant design, such as base isolation or dampers, have
limitations. Magnetic levitation is a promising technology that has the potential to provide a
practical alternative for earthquake-resistant design. This research aims to explore the feasibility
and effectiveness of using magnetic levitation in combination with base isolation techniques to
create a new generation of eco-friendly smart buildings that can withstand natural disasters.

4. PROBLEM STATEMENT

The problem statement of this research is to find a practical solution to construct

buildings that can withstand natural disasters like earthquakes and floods. While
there are several approaches to building earthquake and flood-resistant structures,
this research proposes a unique solution of using magnetic levitation as an
alternative to traditional base isolation techniques. The project aims to design an
eco-friendly smart building with a magnetically levitating base that can float
during natural disasters, thereby reducing the risk of damage and loss of life. The
focus of this research is to explore the feasibility and effectiveness of using
magnetic levitation in the construction industry, which can potentially
revolutionize the way buildings are designed and constructed in the future.

7. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The objective of maglev structure is to implement integrated technology in ways that are
protective to human health and environment.

1. To design an effective earthquake cum flood resistant structure using magnetic levitation.
2. To design and develop a magnetically levitating house that can withstand earthquakes.

3. To find a revolutionary changing way in the technological era of architecture.

4.    To provide a proof of concept for the use of magnetic levitation technology in disaster-
resilient housing.

5. To analyze the structural behavior and performance of the building during earthquake and
flood events using simulation software.

6. To reduce the environmental impact of buildings by using maglev technology to create

structures that require less material and energy to support.

7. To explore the potential of maglev technology in creating new building typologies, such as
floating buildings or buildings that appear to defy gravity.

8.To improve the safety and stability of maglev structures by developing new design and
engineering strategies that can withstand natural disasters and other potential hazards.

8. METHODOLOGY OF STUDY

The methodology of this study involves a comprehensive literature review of the existing
research and technologies related to earthquake resistant structures, magnetic levitation, and eco-
friendly building design. This will include a review of relevant academic journals, conference
proceedings, and research papers in the field of civil engineering and related disciplines.

Conducting a literature review on magnetic levitation and earthquake.

Development of a conceptual framework for studying the relationship between magnetic

levitation and earthquake.

Collection of data using a mixed-methods approach.

Analyze the data using appropriate statistical and qualitative methods.

Interpret the results in light of the conceptual framework.

Summarize the main findings and discuss their implications for future research and design
practice.

10. EXPECTED RESULT

The expected results of incorporating earthquake resistance into maglev structures include:

Increased safety and stability during seismic events, which can protect occupants and prevent
damage to the building.

The development of new design and engineering strategies that can withstand the lateral forces
and ground motion that occur during earthquakes.

The identification of materials and construction techniques that can enhance the seismic
performance of maglev structures.

the expected results of incorporating earthquake resistance into maglev structures are to enhance
the safety and stability of these buildings, which can help to protect occupants and prevent
damage to the surrounding environment. By achieving these results, maglev technology can
continue to evolve as a viable and innovative approach to building design, while also ensuring
that these structures are safe and resilient in the face of natural disasters.

11. References

1. Aydin, M. E., Kose, O., & Bozdag, E. (2017). Numerical investigation of the response of
magnetic levitation systems to earthquakes. Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering, 15(1), 39-57.

2. Lin, P. Y., Wu, H. H., & Kuo, C. Y. (2015). Analysis of seismic response of maglev trains with
two-dimensional modeling. Advances in Mechanical Engineering, 7(3), 1-9.

3. Zhang, X., Yang, J., Tang, W., & Wang, Y. (2019). Experimental investigation of the seismic
response of a magnetically levitated train. Journal of Vibration and Control, 25(15), 2117-2129.