Скачать или смотреть USHER Technologies - MWF Prize for Engineering Excellence 2019

2019 MWF Prize for Engineering Excellence Awardees

DR. FRANCIS ALDRINE A. UY
Civil Engineer
Inventor of USHER (Universal Structural Health Evaluation and Recording) System

The Philippines is among the most disaster-prone countries in the world. Aside from typhoons, the country always experience earthquakes as it is situated in the Pacific Ring of Fire.

In the past year, some of the strongest earthquakes are felt. It is predicted that the Big One may hit within the next few years or within our lifetime. As a civil engineer, Dr. Francis Aldrine Uy, current Dean of School of Civil, Environmental, and Geodetic Engineering of Mapua University, made it his mission to prevent loss of precious lives if ever it hits. Through his expertise and vision to save lives, he made the Universal Structural Health Evaluation and Recording (USHER) System.

USHER is a device that allows the constant monitoring of the structural integrity of buildings and bridges. It has two main parts, the accelelograph and a web portal.

Basically, the accelelograph is installed in the building which acts as the sensor that constantly collects the data. This is connected to a controller that records and transmits data to the web portal. The controller also has color-coded light signals which alert people if an evacuation should be made, if it is safe to go back in the building, or if its seismic capacity has been breached thus requiring permanent evacuation.

The web portal, on the other hand, allows structural engineers to access the data online which serves as their basis for faster and more accurate assessment This information eliminates the risk of accidents that may occur during physical assessment post-earthquake. The USHER technology is not only helpful for building managers but is also beneficial for business owners as it helps ensure better business continuity, making sure that operations will be back to normal as soon as possible.

Through Dr. Uy and his technology, more Filipinos can have peace of mind as it minimizes communities' vulnerability to unpredictable natural disasters such as earthquakes. This is a legacy, a gift of hope, that every Filipino can be proud of.