QUAKE BUILDINGS

Is it possible to build an earthquake-proof building? The answer can be both yes and no.

There are engineering techniques that can be used to create a very solid structure that will survive some average to strong quakes. However, during strong earthquakes, even the best engineered building may suffer severe damage. Engineers design buildings to endure as much sideways motion as possible in order to minimize damage to the structure and give the residents time to get out safely.

Buildings are basically designed to support a vertical weight in order to support the walls, roof and everything inside to keep them standing. Earthquakes present a lateral, or sideways, weight to the building structure that is a bit more complicated to account for. One way to make a structure more unaffected to these lateral forces is to tie the walls, floor, roof, and foundations into a rigid box that holds together when shaken by a quake.

Check out these videos to gain insight on some possible ideas....

IDEAS: