Why are Earthquakes Still So Devastating

Abstract eng:
Potential earthquake regions are well known and construction techniques are available in order to build earthquake resistant buildings. Regulations taking the seismic action into account are implemented. Despite a large understanding and knowledge earthquakes are, and will be devastating for the following reasons: a) Earthquakes do not occur often. Events not occurring regularly at short intervals do not influence the construction technique of non-engineered constructions. Design rules are not applied because of the absence of an imminent danger. b) Design rules established by the scientific community are not understood by the builders and are not applied. c) Houses are often built by tradesmen without any knowledge of seismic design. Simple design rules are not known by individual builders and are therefore not applied.

• Export as: BibTeX | MARC | MARCXML | DC | EndNote | NLM | RefWorks
• Add to your basket