In many areas of the country, it is important to build the buildings in the area to resist damage from earthquakes. Because most earthquakes are unexpected, the building developer cannot rely on an early warning system to prevent harm to people inside the building in the event of an earthquake. The building has to be able to withstand an earthquake that can happen at any time. For this reason, many researchers have collected reams of information on the best way to construct a building to resist earthquakes.
Most commercial structures being built today are made of concrete or metal. These are the two most popular materials for building commercial structures due to the numerous advantages of using these materials. Both materials are extremely strong and durable, creating a solid structure for a very long period of time. Both materials are inorganic, which makes them invulnerable to rot, fungus, termites, and mold. The materials do not break down as easily as other types of building materials. But when it comes to permanent earthquakes, which material is better; concrete or metal?
Although this may surprise many people, the answer is metal. Buildings that are designed to withstand earthquakes are designed to be flexible and move without breaking. The inflexible nature of concrete means that the building can crack and collapse on its foundation if hit by a major earthquake. However, the metal can be molded to flex and bend without breaking to allow the metal building to sway with the movement of the earthquake, thus reducing the stress on the building and helping it remain solid. By using metal supports in the building, the developer can greatly improve the building’s chances of withstanding an earthquake.
There are several different types of metal that can be used to improve a building’s chances of surviving a strong earthquake unscathed. The most common type of building material used today is steel or steel rebar. Steel is extremely strong as a building material, but it also has the ability to flex and stretch much more than many people would expect. By using steel for the building supports, the developer reduces the chances of the steel building frame cracking or collapsing under stress. Although the force of the earthquake may visibly deform the building, the structure of the building will remain standing, greatly reducing the amount of injuries that will occur inside the building as a result of the earthquake.
Many buildings being built to withstand earthquakes today are very different from buildings built by previous generations. In addition to using steel in the construction of the buildings, buildings now often have numerous supports located on the first floor of the building. Previously, the first floor of the building was very open, while the upper levels had more walls, frames and supports. The researchers found that during an earthquake, the lower story usually collapsed, ruining the rest of the structure. By adding more support to the lower deck, the developers reduced the risk of it collapsing and damaging the upper decks.