Technology Takes on Earthquakes

This isn't the first time I've blogged about earthquakes and the major infrastructure damage they can cause. But in light of the recent catastrophes in Haiti, Italy, Chile, and elsewhere, many engineers and designers feel that reeducating themselves on earthquake-resistant engineering has become mission critical.

Why? In the words of a recent post published on the Build Change website, "Earthquakes don't kill people — poorly built buildings do." A not-for-profit global organization of engineers, architects and construction professionals, Build Change believes that, with a proper understanding of seismic design, new buildings will one day be able to withstand and survive an earthquake measuring 8.0 on the Richter Scale. That's equivalent to the earthquake that destroyed San Francisco more than a century ago.

"With an estimated 500,000 detectable earthquakes in the world each year and 100 of them causing damage of some kind," writes Construction Digital's Louise Clarke, "it's important that those who live in high risk areas acquire the skills and knowledge to protect themselves and their buildings."

This only further stresses the overall importance the role Build Change can play in educating builders, engineers, architects, and government officials in developing countries to new technologies, such as the "self-centering system." This new technique, developed at Pennsylvania's Lehigh University, features huge "rope-like" steel coils to hold a building in place during a severe seismic event.

As an engineer or construction pro, what new technologies do you see emerging on the forefront of earthquake-resistant design?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Building & Design, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Building & Design today.