A STUDY ON THE STRUCTURE OF BUILDINGS TO TOLERATE EARTHQUAKE

Abstract

Earthquakes, sudden and powerful tremors of the earth, pose a significant threat to life and property. Mitigating this risk lies in the realm of earthquake engineering, a field dedicated to designing structures that can withstand seismic activity. This paper explores the key features incorporated into buildings to enhance their earthquake tolerance. The foundation of an earthquake-resistant structure is quite literally its foundation. Buildings are ideally built on firm, stable soil that can handle the shaking without excessive movement. Loose soil, on the other hand, can amplify the seismic forces and compromise the structure's stability. In some cases, engineers may employ foundation isolation systems, essentially pads that separate the building from the ground, further dampening the impact of tremors. The focus then shifts to the building's skeleton. Steel and reinforced concrete are preferred materials due to their strength and ductility, the ability to bend and deform without breaking. Concrete's inherent brittleness is addressed by embedding steel rebar within it, creating a composite material that can absorb the energy of an earthquake. Shear walls, panels designed to resist lateral forces, are another crucial element. These walls, often made of concrete or reinforced masonry, act as a building's core, distributing the earthquake's energy throughout the structure and preventing collapse.