The article discusses the significant risk of building collapses during earthquakes, particularly highlighting that deaths often stem from structural failures rather than the shaking itself. A recent 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand did not report fatalities due to quick evacuations, yet a high-rise building in Bangkok collapsed. It explains how shearing forces during tremors can lead to such collapses and emphasizes the importance of using resilient construction materials like reinforced concrete and steel. Additionally, it suggests alternatives like bamboo for smaller structures and lighter roofs to reduce injury severity from collapses.
Earthquakes cause buildings to stretch, compress or shear, leading to potential collapses. While rock and brick can handle compression, they fail under stretch and shear forces.
To minimize earthquake injuries and deaths, buildings must be constructed with materials like concrete reinforced with steel, allowing for better resilience than traditional methods.
#earthquake-safety #building-resilience #structural-engineering #disaster-preparedness #construction-materials
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