Despite technological and scientific advancements, achieving accurate earthquake predictions remains challenging due to the complicated and ever-changing geological processes. Therefore, societies must prioritize readiness, resilience, and efficient response strategies to alleviate the consequences of unavoidable seismic attacks.
Recently, a structural engineer participated in a live broadcast program where he discussed how earthquake protection might be applied.
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Navigate Earthquake Safety
On Thursday, Apr. 18, as Utah residents participate in the Great Utah Shakeout, Dave and Debbie will broadcast live from Evergreen Junior High School about earthquake safety. The structural engineer and program guest, Doug Hancock, discusses the effects of earthquakes on structures and homes.
He explains that wood-frame structures withstand seismic activity by flexing and bending. The engineer noted that it is highly recommended that you pay close attention to your house if it was constructed before 1950. On the other hand, structures built after 1950 should undergo an assessment of the home's substructure connection.
Nevertheless, he would reportedly feel at ease in a residence constructed after the 2000s, owing to the building codes formulated primarily in response to the Northridge Earthquake.
Legislators enacted significant modifications to the construction code in the aftermath of the Northridge earthquake, which occurred in 1994 and had a magnitude of 6.7 throughout the Los Angeles region. He asserted that from approximately 1995 to the year 2000, such construction rules significantly increased the ability to maintain a building's integrity.
Accordingly, pay attention to residences or structures constructed with brick or masonry that are not reinforced and do not have steel reinforcement bars. In countries such as Turkey and Andy, this is the root cause of the catastrophic failures you see. It is also the source of a significant number of the terrible deaths that occur.
Hancock noted that there is no such thing as an earthquake-proof building; nonetheless, engineers are working to create structures strong enough to withstand earthquakes. As stated, an engineer's primary objective is to ensure a structure remains standing until the people within can evacuate.
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Importance of Having Updated Building Codes
Taking preventative precautions must be noticed in light of the growing frequency of natural disasters and their dangers to buildings. The purpose of building codes is to provide essential rules that strengthen the safety and resilience of structures against potential threats.
As an illustration, areas prone to wildfires necessitate utilizing roof materials resistant to fire. Still, areas prone to hurricanes require the construction of powerful beams and joists that can endure strong winds. The construction of a structure may determine conditions of moderate damage or catastrophic loss.
Moreover, enforcing up-to-date building codes is the most critical component in lowering the community's risk from an earthquake. Communities must reinforce their core infrastructure and vital facilities to survive and remain resilient. These facilities must endure an earthquake or other disaster and continue to ensure that essential services are provided.
Approximately ten years ago, the government of Nepal accepted the National Building Code in recognition of the critical requirement to develop and implement building standards that set the minimum level of safety acceptable for construction. Nevertheless, the actual implementation of this policy at the municipality level has been moving at a glacial pace, putting people's lives in danger.
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