How do scientists make earthquake-proof buildings?

If you're like us, you love science, and if you're teaching Physics you're probably curious about the world around you. We hope you enjoy the first in our Explore Science series - What it Takes to Make a Building Earthquake-Proof. Earthquakes in themselves most often don't kill people; buildings do. read more

They use the appropriate design standards and engineering software, plus engineering judgement, to model the earthquake load on the building frame, and then design the frame for the forces that result. read more

One way to to make a simple structure more resistant to these lateral forces is to tie the walls, floor, roof, and foundations into a rigid box that holds together when shaken by a quake. The most dangerous building construction, from an earthquake point of view, is unreinforced brick or concrete block. read more

When designing earthquake safe structures the first consideration is to make the highest bit, the roof, as light as possible. This is best done with profiled steel cladding on light gauge steel Zed purlins. This can also have double skin with spacers and insulation. read more