Earthquake Safety Measures for High-Rise Buildings

Our planet is experience natural catastrophic events more than ever. From earthquakes, to wildfires, to global warming, the consequences are disastrous. Other natural disasters like tsunami, hurricanes, floods, are occurring frequently. These events can wreak havoc on human life, wildlife and the environment. While there is no perfect solution for this, we can all take steps towards progress together.

No structure is completely earthquake proof, engineers and architects are using innovative techniques and designs to safeguard new structures. These construction techniques help to reduce destruction and save precious lives. An earthquake with a magnitude of 6 Richter scale and above can damage any building. A devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake which occurred in 2010 in Haiti reported more than 200,000 causalities and rendered millions homeless. Chile, Japan, Nepal, Indonesia, Mexico, and the Philippines are some of the most earthquake-prone areas in the world. Lack of habitable land and increasing human population are leading to the construction of high-rise buildings that stand at a higher risk of being destroyed by earthquakes. It is also easier to evacuate people through stairs in a low-rise building compared to a high-rise building. However, modern evacuation techniques are often inbuilt in tall buildings. A popular example would be the World trade center tragedy in 2011, many people could not make it to the ground floor because of the height of the building. Engineers are striving to create partially earthquake-resistant structures. Unreinforced bricks plastered with mortar are dangerous structures and can be reduced to rubble in case of any seismic shock waves. MP Birla is one of the best cement manufacturers in India. The major types of cement manufactured by MP Birla are OPC, PSC, and PPC. Portland Slag cement is used to create strong and durable structures. 

The Burj Khalifa in Dubai is the tallest mega-structure in the world standing at a height of 2722 feet. This massive skyscraper can withstand earthquakes up to 7 Richter scale. It is built on a 52-foot-deep steel and concrete foundation. The vertical and horizontal loadings are supported by a unique truss system, making it resistant to torsional movements. Shanghai tower with a height of 2000 feet, is the second tallest building in the world. The site is primarily filled with soft, clay-based soil. To make this structure earthquake resistant, engineers incorporated 980 piles and secured 2.15 million cubic feet of reinforced best cement for concrete. It also consists of a tuned mass damper to control swaying during earthquake or high winds. A series of shock absorbers helps in optimal counterbalancing. Taipei 101 located in Taiwan is one of the tallest structures in the world. It has a massive internal damper to control swaying and minimize the possibility of structural damage, in case of an earthquake. Recently a few Earthquakes occurred in Northern Indian region.

The best way to safeguard any building from earthquake is to build it on a strong foundation, using the best construction materials available.

Beautiful Iconic Structures Worth a Visit from Around the World

When we visit a country, we try to visit all the iconic places. Bridges are a beautiful reminder that connects two places together. Construction of any monument, gates, bridges, or any iconic architecture is a challenging and prolong process. It may take a few years to several years to perfect the construction. In the modern days, architects use 3D modeling and virtual design and construction techniques to design bridges.

Did you know the fascinating history of bridges? The structure of a bridge was inspired by Aqueducts, which were used to transport fresh water for great distances, during the medieval era. Architects often dig up aqueducts in ancient Egypt. One of the most spectacular is Golden Gate bridge in California. It is one of the world’s longest bridge spanning at 4200 feet. It is also one of the tallest suspension bridges in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is constructed with earthquake-resistant technology. This bridge has walkways, bicycling lanes, and a six-vehicle traffic lane. Cement bridges are often whitewashed with white cement to blend in a blue skyline.

The Hangzhou Bridge is the longest bridge in China with a length of 36 km across the Qiantang River. It involved a construction time of 9 years. It is also one of the most expensive bridges in the world. You can check the types of cement and order cement online. The stunning Brooklyn Bridge across the New York City Skyline. It spans a length of 1596 feet over the East River. It features a great pedestrian walkway for the walkers and the cyclists above the automobile lanes. The construction of this bridge was carried on fourteen years. Magdeburg Water bridge is a water bridge spread across the Elbe river. It is the longest navigable aqueduct in the world. It has a length of 3000 feet. It allows ships and boats to cross access the water bridge. It also has two pedestrian walkways on both the sides of the aqueduct. The Sydney Harbor bridge is one of the largest steel bridges in the world. It features a magnificent steel arch 440 feet above the water. It has a length of 3700 feet and brilliantly marks the beautiful Sydney skyline. The Strait of Bosporus connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara. Istanbul is the connection between Asia and Europe. The Bosporus bridge literally connects two continents spanning over a length of 4954 feet. This bridge stands out beautifully against the backdrop of the night sky. The LED lighting on the bridge’s towers and the cables on it glow in striking colors. This bridge shuttles traffic between two continents with eight lanes including one sidewalk for pedestrians. The Millau bridge in France is the tallest bridge in the world constructed at a height of 1125 feet. Spanning over the Tarn river valley, it is 8000 feet long. It has seven pillars and was opened to the public in 2004.