Nature is unpredictable; we all know that, and any unpredicted natural calamity such as an earthquake can result in a catastrophic ending. Thus, developing an earthquake-resistant building is no longer a choice; rather, it is mandatory. However, structural engineering plays a crucial role in creating an earthquake-resistant building more than anything. I Soumyendu Ganguly, as a structural engineer devoted a large part of my professional career to understanding and developing earthquake-resistant techniques that keep buildings more resistant to such natural forces.
In this blog, I am going to discuss the key role that structural engineering plays in creating earthquake-resistant buildings and the principles that underpin this vital aspect of construction.
Understanding Earthquake-Resistant Design
An Earthquake resistant design must have strong structural integrity that can resist and absorb nature’s strongest force in the form of seismic waves. Any building, designed and constructed in areas prone to earthquakes, is prone to collapse due to forces acting in both vertical and lateral directions if not designed aptly. My experience throughout my professional career has also shown me how important these structural systems have been for adaptation and opposition to such forces.
1. Flexible Foundation Design
One of the initial steps in earthquake-resistant building is a flexible foundation. Most often, structures are built on base isolators, acting as shock absorbers between the building and the ground. This technology prevents the structure from moving with seismic waves, thus reducing forces transferred to the building. In contrast, I, Soumyendu Ganguly, have seen how the foundational flexibility provides protection to structures while exposed to a strong earthquake and thereby allowing buildings to float with the moving ground above which it is situated.
2. The Use of Ductile Materials
For an earthquake, ductility would refer to the property that describes an ability to withstand severe deformations before it finally fractures, and a crucial role this material performs in the structure design related to seismic considerations. Using steel and materials which under stress do not crack but can bend has proved convenient, though not common enough for practical use, during construction work. While my designs feature ductile material on repeated occasions, as a strong line of defence they keep buildings safe because significant deformations happen which less likely cause immediate fracture of a structure.
3. Shear Walls and Bracing Systems
Shear walls and bracing systems should be incorporated to direct seismic-induced lateral forces. Put simply, they can be considered as a building’s skeleton since they form the backbone for resisting horizontal motion, thus making it stable. I, Soumyendu Ganguly, always prioritises strategic placement of sheer walls within a building for better protection.
Bracing systems, whether it is a diagonal, an X-type, or K-type system, work hand in hand with shear walls to distribute seismic forces to different parts of the structure. This component and others will enable the building structure to sway within controlled restraints, thus absorbing energy while sustaining less damage.
4. Seismic Dampers
Another innovation that structural engineers adopt in making buildings resistant to an earthquake is the seismic dampers. The way in which these devices work is actually like the shock absorber on a car. As a result, it absorbs seismic wave energy. There are different types of dampers; viscous, friction, and tuned mass type of dampers that limit the sway of a building when an earthquake strikes it. In my opinion, incorporating seismic dampers on higher buildings has been pretty handy because they give stability and eliminate all kinds of structural tension.
5. Regular Checking and Maintenance
The role of structural engineering does not end with the construction of a building. Regular inspection and maintenance are required in order to ensure that all earthquake-resistant features remain functional over time. Over the years, I, Soumyendu Ganguly, have seen how even the most resilient structures require repeated assessments to ensure their constituents function as designed. In fact, maintenance is also important in detecting early wear or damage that may render the building’s earthquake resistance ineffective.
Conclusion
I, Soumyendu Ganguly as an experienced professional views structural engineering as a discipline that provides the ability of buildings to resist seismic activity. Ductile materials, shear walls, seismic dampers, and regular maintenance are important considerations for better resistance against Earthquakes. I, Soumyendu Ganguly with my team at B. S. Structural, continue to evolve and make safety our foremost priority, ensuring that a building stands tall and secures its occupants during those most challenging events of nature.
With growing awareness about the natural risk that affects people’s lives, structural engineering for earthquake-resistant design becomes the need of the hour. Advancing our methods and materials, we move forward with safety, resilience, and durability, thus facing the uncertainty that surrounds the phenomenon of an earthquake.