How Earthquake Proof Housing Works
Living
If you live in or have ever traveled to an earthquake-prone area, you’re probably familiar with earthquake proof housing. Meant to withstand the shock, gyrations, and rumblings of severe earthquakes, these houses are capable of some pretty incredible feats. But how do they do it, exactly? If you’ve ever wondered how earthquake proof housing works, read on to learn more.
How an Earthquake Affects a Home
When an earthquake occurs, what’s actually happening is that the earth’s crust is slipping against itself. This generally occurs along a fault line, although it can happen anywhere. As the tectonic plates of the earth slip, smash, and slide around one another, they create seismic waves that cause the ground to rumble, shake, and tremble. This generates S waves, which moves the ground up and down in the shape of an “S”. As these waves reach a home or structure, they can easily crack foundations and cause the building to come crumbling down.
How Earthquake Proof Housing Resists Damage
In areas where earthquakes are common and expected, earthquake proof housing is essential. To build an earthquake proof home, architects and engineers first evaluate the earthquake risk of the area. They do this with the help of the National Seismic Hazard Maps, which predict which areas of the country will experience the most seismic activity within the next half century.
Once the team has decided on the risk factor for a given area, they set about designing the structure. Generally, these teams design symmetrical structures (which are not as vulnerable to torsion as their more modern or asymmetrical counterparts). In addition to being symmetrical, earthquake-proof buildings are also very plain, without all of the ornamentation and decoration as buildings in other area of the country. The reason for this is that the forces of an earthquake are more than strong enough to rip ornamental pieces off of a building and make them into a deadly hazard for anyone in the area.
On the inside of an earthquake-proof building, engineers and architects install stabilizing measures like cross-braces and shear walls, both of which are designed to withstand the twisting and undulating forces of a strong earthquake. Shear walls, in particular, reinforce the shape of a building and help the walls themselves resist being rocked over by an earthquake. They’re especially popular in areas where the walls feature no windows or other openings.
Earthquake Proof Housing: Making Earthquake Areas Safer for Residents
While earthquake proof housing is a feat of engineering, it’s also gone a long way toward making living in earthquake-prone areas safer. Thanks to innovative building methods and smart architecture, these stable, reliable, sturdy buildings are designed to better withstand the brutal forces of an earthquake and keep the people, pets, and items within them safe and sound, even when things get shaky.
For more earthquake-friendly tips, check out our previous blog for a step-by-step guide on how to earthquake-proof your house.
