Technological and Social Approaches to Achieve Earthquake Safer Non-Engineered Houses

Abstract eng:
Masonry structures are widely used due to its low cost and construction easiness especially in developing countries. In spite of the efforts to provide guidelines for the construction of sound earthquake resistant houses, every year casualties due to collapsing masonry houses during earthquakes are reported. To overcome this situation, retrofitting techniques applicable for both existing and new constructions involving inexpensive materials available in remote regions and low-skill labor as well as social retrofit promotion system are needed. To solve this problem, the author’s research group has developed polypropylene band (PP-band) method. PP-band, which is commonly used for packing, is resistant, inexpensive, durable and worldwide available and PP-band retrofit method is a simple, cheap, easy and local acceptable retrofitting method. However, in spite of low retrofitting cost of PP-band method (about $30-$70/house for materials), it is still unaffordable for the very low income people. The author’s research group has proposed some social retrofit promotion systems – “two-step incentive system” and “new micro-earthquake insurance system” – to solve this problem. Based on the study results carried by the author’s research group, by the combination of our proposed technology and social promotion system, it could have been possible to prevent more than 85% of the fatalities due to the 2003 Bam, 2005 Kashmir and 2006 Java earthquakes. Furthermore, the cost borne by the government could have been reduced by at least 75%. With this system, the house owner has to prepare no money and the number of damaged houses could be drastically reduced.

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