Discovering the World's Top 5 Earthquake-Proof Buildings

Earthquake-resistant buildings ensure structural integrity, especially in nations prone to frequent natural disasters. Explore the top five architectural marvels designed to withstand earthquakes around the world.

(Photo : Pexels/Valery Anatolievich)

1. Temple of the Great Jaguar, Guatemala

Among the many Mayan monuments that have survived natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes, the Temple of the Great Jaguar is the tallest structure in Mesoamerica. Since it has greater strength and reduced displacement, the nine-stepped, 154-foot-tall pyramid is earthquake-resistant. Additionally, it supports stability and enables shock absorption.

At ambient temperature, the utilized limestone can transform from brittle to ductile when subjected to load, which makes it a more suitable material for earthquake-resistant structures. These historic structures serve as a source of inspiration for modern skyscrapers such as the Transamerica Pyramid.

2. Taipei 101, Taiwan

Around 214 earthquakes can be felt across Taiwan, with an annual average of approximately 2,200. When they started construction on another tower, they reportedly wanted to ensure the structure was earthquake-resistant because of the significant number of yearly earthquakes worldwide.

Before its completion in 2004, Taipei 101 held the title of the tallest skyscraper in the world, standing at a height of 1,667 feet. As mentioned, this building still incorporates some of the most fantastic earthquake and weather-resistant technology ever devised, even though it may no longer be able to claim this engineering distinction. This building is highly resistant to earthquakes since it has an extensive internal damper that helps control swaying and reduce the likelihood of structural damage or failure. Instead of preventing swaying in general, it reportedly tries to control the movement occurring.

Also Read: 6 Sustainable Strategies to Minimize Your Construction Waste

3. The Transamerica Pyramid, San Francisco

An estimated 5,000 earthquakes strike San Francisco, California, annually, but only a few are felt, and the likelihood of their occurrence is extremely low. The Transamerica Pyramid was constructed with a foundation made of concrete and steel and measured 52 feet in depth. In the event of an earthquake, this foundation was designed to resist displacement by the earth. This building's earthquake engineering design involved the construction of shear walls that were strengthened by rods at each level. Moreover, sensors were inserted in the frame of the structure to track the horizontal load movement the building experienced.

4. Fa-bo, Nomi City

The Fa-Bo building in Japan may appear to have been assaulted by Spider-Man since a web of cables surrounds it, yet the high-tech system is well-equipped to withstand earthquakes and tsunamis. In contrast to many earthquake-resistant blueprints, the design created by architect Kengo Kuma relies on support from the exterior rather than a strengthened core located within the building.

Compared to steel, the thermoplastic carbon fiber composite cables that anchor the three-story concrete building are far more robust and lighter, inclined to accommodate lateral loads. These earthquake-resistant designs are the first time carbon fiber has been used in constructing structures. Given that the nation experiences 1,500 earthquakes annually, it will be necessary to withstand the test.

5. Sabiha Gokcen Terminal, Istanbul

The Sabiha Gokcen airport terminal in Istanbul is almost 400,000 square meters, making it the largest earthquake-resistant building in the world's rankings. On the Richter scale, it can resist an earthquake as strong as 6. The terminal is situated on top of hundreds of energy-absorbing isolators and in a seismically active zone. Thus, the Izmit earthquake of 1999 claimed the lives of more than 17,000 people. On the other hand, the engineers who worked on the terminal tested the design to ensure it could withstand 14 different earthquake scenarios.

Related Article: Earthquake Resistant Buildings: How Are These Structures Made to Withstand Disasters?