Earthquake – A dreadful natural calamity occurrence is quite an un predictable. But by taking prior precautionary steps we can minimize the damage of property and fatality rate. An earthquake is a sever natural disaster that always brings destruction with it and it hits badly. Most buildings get collapsed and become the reason for the high death rate.
And to prevent buildings’ damage real estate builders are following earth-quake resistance structures for their estate development. Generally, a concrete building has a life of 50 years, but considering the quality of materials used in the building start rusting within 15 to 25 years. So it is advisable to buy a property with proper investigation. Whether you are living in an earthquake- prone area or the building you are living in is earth-quake resistance or not.
Importance of earth-quake resistance building
There are two main types of constructions commonly seen while constructing a building such as load-bearing wall structure and framed structure. Load-bearing wall structure constructed with continuous vertical walls to support the floor slabs at different levels. While the framed structure is implemented wherein isolated vertical posts (columns) are connected with horizontal bands (beams) to support the structure. Both structures can withstand the load of the objects stored on them, similar to the structure of shelves.
But if a stack of shelves is constructed without joining or connecting the horizontal shelves with the vertical partitions, there is a chance that the whole shelf can collapse like a pack of cards.
5 Advantages of Earthquake proof Building
Earthquake-proofing is all about putting an extra measure in the building’s structural phase so that when the disaster would hit, it would be withstood. An earthquake resistance structure prevents the building or the property from severe damage.
Earthquake –resistance is a common part of designing a building, almost all countries face all these natural phenomena. When it comes to India, the risk is quite higher; the country has a major earth-quake-prone area with high magnitude. And builders from those regions are mandatory to build their estate work as earthquake resistance as per the IS code of India. Given below are the 5 key features of earth-quake proof buildings, give a full examination of the property, if you are considering buying.
Earth-Quake Buildings Provides Stiffness One of the key characteristic of an earthquake-proof building is its regularity, which is directly linked to the lateral stiffness of a building. If the building has equal lateral stiffness across in floor plan when the building will rock from side to side during an earthquake the energy will be able to dissipate without placing too much pressure on the building area.
Multiple Safety Strategies Are Implemented
In an earth-quake resistance building, multiple safety strategies are implemented to prevent the building from getting collapsed. When earth-quake hits it not only saves the buildings but lie also. Essentially, an earth-quake-proof building will have more than one feature on this list.
Generally, it is the use of equally distributed strength laterally and vertically, as well as foundations, cross braces and materials are used to give the best so that it will fight best against such natural calamities.
Provide a strong foundation to buildings
Foundation is the key design for any building and when it comes to build an earthquake-proof building then certainly the builder gives special attention to it. To give the building a stable foundation major steps are taken to strengthen the structure. Areas that are prone to natural disasters also often have softer ground material that can move and cave during heavy rain or vibrations.
There are various ways to make the foundation of an earth-quake resistance building. Generally, piles methods are commonly used while building a home but beyond piles, other foundation techniques are used to stabilize a building during an earthquake.
Let’s take a look on the 3 essential technologies that are used in the Indian real estate market, which will lessen the impact of infrastructure during an earthquake period. These technologies not only keep the building from being destroyed but also save the lives of all inside the buildings.
The use of cross braces
It’s a common method used to support the buildings and bridges, needs diagonals to intersect to give strong support. The diagonal beams help make buildings and bridges capable of staying upright. Although the seismic waves hit the pressure will keep the building standing.
Because the diagonal intersection will support compression and tension so they will not bend but the building frame stays in place. The cross brace technology is used only on a rectangular surfaces such as walls, chairs, tables and bookshelves. This technique is used to hold the infrastructure withstanding as the walls will not fall apart.
Shock absorbers (base isolators)
This is another developed technology that can lessen the impact of an earthquake. This technique is used as the base isolator, which sits underneath buildings. It absorbers any tremors so that buildings will shake minimally or not at all. The shock absorbers contain three components like rubber, lead and steel. Base isolators in buildings are quite necessary as they can capture the tremors in the top half hence the building won’t experience any shaking while the disaster strike.
Shear walls
The shear walls technique is also used technology and is widely used in India, as this technique lessens the impact of damage to infrastructure. Shear walls are made up of braced panels more commonly known to be shear panels. The use of sheer panels is used to stop the rocking movement by bracing walls such as concrete with steel bars, which makes the walls stronger and hopefully keeps a building in its shape during an earthquake. Plywood is the most common material used for shear woods but there are other materials that can act as resistant to seismic waves.
Materials used in Earthquake resistance building
In earthquake-resistant construction, the building should be properly grounded and connected through its foundation to the earth. As the surface moves excessively during an earthquake period Structure of building work should be avoided on loose sands or clays. The foundation of the building’s structure should be constructed on firm soil so that it will settle uniformly under vertical loading.
An earth-quake resistance building is constructed in India primarily with 3 materials such as steel, wooden and concrete. To strengthen the building construction these materials are used so that they can hold the building’s structure while earth-quake strike the building.
Steel metals are used in 3 ways to resilience against earthquakes such as:
Used as Steel beams
Steel beams can hold the structure of the foundation of the building, steel can strengthen the building from the ground level. The building is essentially built to float above the foundation so that the entire structure can move as one during an earthquake.
Used as Steel cladding
Steel cladding helps avoid a building collapse.
Used as expanded mesh
Metal mesh is used in walls and ceilings to strengthen the structure in a versatile manner. These barriers are very durable against earthquakes, but they can also withstand high winds and other weather effects.
If you are seeking a home with earthquake resistance building then Tata realty’s new residential project Tata La Vida is the best instance in sector 72, Gurgaon. This development is luxury yet presents a sustainable lifestyle. Carrying IGBC certified yet earth-quake resistant structure which is the best advantage of it.