Post by tuamkc on Jun 10, 2015 22:02:40 GMT 8
The recent earthquake in Mount Kinabalu, Sabah, with resulted in lives lost is a grim reminder that our country is no longer free from earthquake disaster. added to the fact that in the course of development, we've built so many highrise buildings right in the urban areas and city centres, isn't it time to consider this issue seriously? Anilnetto, a freelance blogger reports: anilnetto.com/economy/development-issues/how-quake-proof-are-our-highrise-buildings/. Here is an abstract from the Economic Times:
However, research into the extent of damage soon revealed that the gradual strengthening of Japan’s building codes — in 1950, 1971 and 1981 — had made a big difference. Of the pre-1970 buildings in Kobe, 55% collapsed, or were irreparably damaged.
The proportion came down to 30% for structures built between 1970 and 1975, and to 10% for those built between 1976 and 1980. It was zero — that’s right, zero — for structures built after 1980.
That is proof positive that it is entirely possible to build safely in earthquake-prone areas. This does not mean that high standards will prevent all damage or deaths — some tragedies will always occur. But natural disasters once regarded as unavoidable, or even as God’s wrath, can now be checked by intelligent human intervention.
We obviously needs some expert advice and to factor this in our future town planning.
However, research into the extent of damage soon revealed that the gradual strengthening of Japan’s building codes — in 1950, 1971 and 1981 — had made a big difference. Of the pre-1970 buildings in Kobe, 55% collapsed, or were irreparably damaged.
The proportion came down to 30% for structures built between 1970 and 1975, and to 10% for those built between 1976 and 1980. It was zero — that’s right, zero — for structures built after 1980.
That is proof positive that it is entirely possible to build safely in earthquake-prone areas. This does not mean that high standards will prevent all damage or deaths — some tragedies will always occur. But natural disasters once regarded as unavoidable, or even as God’s wrath, can now be checked by intelligent human intervention.
We obviously needs some expert advice and to factor this in our future town planning.