Al ain: The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) has announced the approval of a new patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for a groundbreaking engineering method designed to enhance the resilience of reinforced concrete buildings against progressive collapse.

According to Emirates News Agency, the method was developed by Prof. Bilal El-Ariss, Professor Said Elkholy, and Eng. Ahmad Shehada, a master's student at UAEU. The patented system introduces an eco-friendly and cost-effective technique that improves structural safety while promoting sustainability in construction. The innovation involves the installation of short, diagonal steel reinforcement bars around vulnerable columns during construction, utilizing leftover or scrap pieces from the construction site. These bars connect beams meeting at right angles across potentially weak columns, significantly bolstering the building's resistance to disproportionate collapse if a column fails.

The system requires no new materials, special tools, or labor, and seamlessly integrates with existing construction practices and architectural designs. Dr. El-Ariss emphasized that the importance of this patent extends beyond technical innovation, addressing urgent challenges in rapidly urbanizing and seismically adjacent regions like the UAE, where robust building design is critical. Moreover, it contributes to global sustainable development goals by reusing construction waste, reducing environmental impact, and ensuring public safety without incurring additional financial or material costs.

The research team plans to collaborate with contractors and consultants to implement the technique widely across the region, conduct further research to refine the method, and raise awareness of its life-saving potential.