University Institution Colegio Mayor de Antioquia · Faculty of Architecture and Engineering
Research Group: Environment, Habitat and Sustainability · Medellín, Colombia · 2026
Methodological advisors: Olga Nallive Yepes Gaviria · Heyver Andrés Suárez Camargo
Summary
This project graphically represents five Japanese seismic-resistant foundations (elastomeric isolators, friction pendulum isolators, piles, foundation slabs, and pile-and-slab systems) through document analysis and digital modeling in Inventor, SketchUp, and Revit. The result is a microsite with interactive 3D models, detailed drawings, video, and downloadable families that supports the technical documentation of Architectural and Engineering Drafters.
Keywords: earthquake-resistant building systems · earthquake-resistant engineering · structural technology · structural design
Problem and justification
In countries with high seismicity, such as Japan, foundation design is a global benchmark thanks to base isolation and specialized piles. This evolution demands technical documentation and graphic representation capable of translating complex seismic engineering concepts into precise plans and models.
In contrast, the training of a Drafter is usually limited to traditional construction systems and conventional regulations, which makes it difficult to represent and understand advanced structural typologies.
Research question
How can the graphic representation of the main Japanese foundations contribute to strengthening the technical documentation in the training of technologists in Architectural and Engineering Drafting?
Why is it important?
Expand your knowledge
The student goes beyond local systems and faces advanced structural design challenges.Technical domain
To represent complex elements using architectural representation tools.Material in Spanish
It solves the shortage of specialized visual material as a reference tool.Objectives and hypotheses
General objective
Develop the graphic representation of the main Japanese foundations, through documentary analysis and digital modeling, as support for strengthening the technical documentation in the training of the technologist in Architectural and Engineering Drafter.
Specific objectives
Identify the main Japanese foundations through a review of scientific, technical and regulatory literature.
Prepare the graphic representation and digital modeling of the selected foundations using architectural representation tools.
Design a graphic-didactic resource that documents the foundations and facilitates their understanding in teaching and learning.
Hypothesis
The detailed graphic representation and digital modeling of the main Japanese foundations allow for the structuring of a rigorous technical compendium that, integrated into a graphic-didactic resource, strengthens the technical documentation and optimizes the teaching-learning process of the Technologist in Architectural and Engineering Drafting.
Methodology
Research qualitative approach, of type descriptive and documentary, with method analytical-deductiveTechnical and regulatory information on Japanese foundations is broken down and, based on these principles, precise digital models and a teaching resource are built.
| Phase | Main activities | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 • Document review | Bibliographic research, identification and selection of foundations, organization in the investigative matrix. | Weeks 1 to 4 |
| 2 • Digital modeling | Definition of modeling tools (Autodesk Inventor, SketchUp and Revit), 3D modeling with construction details (bolts, plates, anchors) and generation of views, cuts and details. | Weeks 5 to 9 |
| 3 · Graphic-didactic resource | Organization of material, development of the microsite, integration of 3D models, images and details, and final adjustments. | Weeks 10 to 14 |
General schedule
| Phase | S1 | S2 | S3 | S4 | S5 | S6 | S7 | S8 | S9 | S10 | S11 | S12 | S13 | S14 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Review | ||||||||||||||
| 2 · Modeling | ||||||||||||||
| 3 · Resource |
Results
Visual documentation of the process and products obtained for each objective.
Results video
Objective 1 · Japanese foundations identified
Five typologies selected after reviewing scientific, technical and regulatory literature.
| Typology | Description | Materiality |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Laminated elastomeric insulators (RB / LRB / HDRB) | Base seismic isolation system on cylindrical supports of alternating layers of rubber and steel plates; decouples the superstructure from ground movement. | Natural or high-damping rubber, rolled steel plates, lead core (LRB). |
| 2. Frictional pendulum sliding insulators (FPB) | Sliding support with a concave spherical surface of stainless steel coated in PTFE; the building behaves like an inverted pendulum during an earthquake. | Stainless steel, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), special wear-resistant alloys. |
| 3. Deep pile foundation | Slender columns of reinforced concrete or steel, driven or drilled until reaching strata of resistant soil or firm rock. | Reinforced concrete (prefabricated or cast-in-place piles), structural steel in some cases. |
| 4. Foundation slab (Mat / Raft Foundation) | Continuous surface foundation: a large reinforced concrete slab distributes the weight of the building over the entire floor area. | High-strength reinforced concrete, steel reinforcement mesh. |
| 5. Combined slab-pile foundation (Piled Raft) | Mixed system: combines a surface slab with deep piles working together, distributing the load between both according to their relative rigidity. | Reinforced concrete in slab and piles; in Tokyo Skytree, also, SRC type pile walls. |
Objective 2 · Graphic representation and 3D models
Plans, sections, details and digital models of each foundation, prepared with three programs: Autodesk Inventor, SketchUp and Revit.
Autodesk Inventor
Modeling, detail drawings and assembly of the elastomeric isolator.SketchUp
3D modeling of the foundations and base isolation.Autodesk Revit
Isolator family (.rfa), BIM models, views, sections and construction details.Elastomeric insulator (LRB)
Frictional pendulum insulator (FPB)
Pile foundation
Foundation slab (Mat / Raft)
Slab-piles (Piled Raft)
Objective 3 · Graphic-didactic resource
This microsite is a learning resource: it integrates content, 3D models, images, GIFs, and video to support learning about advanced foundation technical documentation.
Interactive 3D models
Explore each model as a living 3D object: drag with your mouse to rotate it and use the wheel to zoom in or out. On your phone, use your fingers. Below the viewer, you can download the original files.
🖱️ Drag to rotate · Scroll to zoom · Right click to pan
Downloads
Files for academic use. They require Autodesk Revit, SketchUp, or Autodesk Inventor, depending on the file.
Conclusions
- Five types of Japanese foundations were identified and documented: two base isolation and three ground support (piles, slab and slab-piles).
- Modeling in Inventor, SketchUp, and Revit allowed for the detailed representation of components such as plates, bolts, anchors, and materials.
- Interactive 3D models, plans, video and downloadable families make up a reusable graphic-didactic resource.
- The project provides visual material in Spanish to strengthen the technical documentation of the Drafter and can be expanded with new typologies.
Main references
- Duque Escobar, G. (2024). Seismic risk: Earthquakes. UNAL Repository.
- González Gordon, S. (2020). Analysis of the structural behavior and economic viability of base seismic isolation… UNAL Repository.
- Niglio, O., & Valencia Mina, W. (2015). Seismic risk reduction for architectural heritage. Notes, 27(1). DOI.
- Takagi, J., & Wada, A. (2019). Recent earthquakes and the need for a new philosophy for earthquake-resistant design. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 119. DOI.
Project Team
Yuri Giraldo
Author · Research ProposalJorge Valencia
Author · Research ProposalJanna Colorado
Author · Research ProposalMethodological advisors
Olga Nallive Yepes Gaviria
Methodological advisorHeyver Andrés Suárez Camargo
Methodological advisor
Research Proposal • Technology in Architectural and Engineering Drafting
University Institution Colegio Mayor de Antioquia · Faculty of Architecture and Engineering
This product belongs to the IU Colegio Mayor de Antioquia and its authors: Yuri Giraldo, Jorge Valencia and Janna Colorado. Medellín, Colombia · 2026.