Make Your Home Earthquake Proof

Earthquake Resistant Home or Apartment

Earthquake cannot be predicted but precaution method helps to minimize damage for property and loss of life. Earthquake can occur in any part and at anytime. Earthquake does not kill anybody but majority of injury or death is caused by collapsing of building or structure. 100 per cent earthquake proof home is quite expensive but change in structure or design of building helps to resist earthquake and reduce damage or loss of life.

Design for earthquake resistant building

Earthquake resistant buildings are design or structure specially designed to over come the damages during earthquake. Engineers have developed number of techniques range from extremely simple to complex. Builders can adopt following steps for constructing earthquake resistant building.

Simpler reinforcement techniques: This method includes  shear walls, a shear core, and cross-bracing. The building is bolted to their foundation, providing support walls called shear walls. Shear walls helps to strengthen the structure and help resist rocking forces. Shear walls in the center of a building, often around an elevator shaft or stairwell, form what is called a shear core. Walls may also be reinforced with diagonal steel beams in a technique called cross-bracing.

Base isolators methods: This method is adopted by builders in protecting medium sized buildings. Base isolator acts as shock absorber between building and its foundation. These devices are usually bearings made of alternate layers of steel and an elastic material, such as synthetic rubber. This absorbs to and fro motion during earthquake and protects building from damage.

Skyscrapers: Skyscrapers need special construction to make them earthquake-resistant. They must be anchored deeply and securely into the ground. They need a reinforced framework with stronger joints than an ordinary skyscraper has. Such a framework makes the skyscraper strong enough and yet flexible enough to withstand an earthquake.

When constructing building, the material used must be light weight. Use plywood, chipboard or plain timber with joists bolted firmly to the floor. Brace the building diagonally to resist sideways loads of debris. Roof increase the stability of building during earthquake. Use a shear wall construction with studs forming the wall’s shell and horizontal joists making up the floors and rafters supporting the roof. Reinforced Hollow Concrete Block Masonry (RHCBM) elements are designed both as load bearing walls for gravity loads and as shear walls for lateral seismic loads.

Safety Measures

• Learn what to do during and after earthquake. Ensure that all members of your family members and your neighbors have this important education.
• Firmly secure bookcase, hanging pot and other object to withstand shaking during earthquake.
• Plan a location or safe area outside your home where all your family members should gather if earthquake occurs.
• Insure your property against natural calamities and other accidents such as fire, theft etc. Ensure that your insurance company provides insurance against loss in earthquake.
• Emergency kit with bottled water, flashlight, first aid kit, important document such as property documents, insurance papers, identity card etc.
• Avoid elevator or lift during earthquake.
• Find safe place and sit, cover your head and neck with hands.
• Install necessary bolts and ensure your home is firmly bonded to its foundation. If your house has chimney then ensure it is firmly attached to building.
• Bolt down your heater and ensure your gas is leak proof
• If shocks were strong, the earthquake can be repeated within a definite period. The second shock is called aftershock. Wait for after shock and then move slowly to outdoor.
• During earthquake, if you are outdoor, stay in open area and away from building, trees and power lines. If a person is in the open space, the earthquake can not hurt him. If you are indoor, sit against wall away from things that might fall on you. Get under a table or bench, hold on one of the legs and remain calm. Cover your eyes to minimize injury from flying debris.
• After earthquake, reach the location or safe area you planned to meet other members in your family. Be safe and ensure others are safe.

Finding right builder

You want to make sure your contractor knows you want a sturdier material if you are choosing to build in an area that is more prone to earthquakes. When choosing builder for your home ensure builder has taken all precaution methods against natural calamities such as flood, heavy rain, earthquake etc.

You can check their project and buildings constructed in earthquake prone areas and how many of them withstood earthquake. Be sure you ask plenty of questions about the design, the reinforcements of the fabricated sections, the installation process.