5 Tips for Building a Home in an Earthquake-Prone Area

Written by  //  August 14, 2017  //  Lot Selection  //  Comments Off on 5 Tips for Building a Home in an Earthquake-Prone Area

Earthquakes can be quite devastating natural calamities. Nonetheless, this does not mean that you cannot equip yourself or the eventuality of potential tremors in your location. This preparation is best carried out during the construction stage of your home. Below are 5 tips that you could use when building a home in an earthquake-prone area.

1. Integrate base isolations pads in your construction

The first thing that you should do when constructing your residence would be to lay base isolation pads as part of your foundation. The isolation pads are typically manufactured by sandwiching materials such as rubber or lead in between sheets of fortified steel. The pad is then installed between the base and the foundation of your new home build. When an earthquake occurs, the isolation pads will absorb a majority of the vibrations. Thus, although the pads will shake during the tremors, your house should stay relatively intact. The use of base isolation pads is highly recommended for multilevel residences.

2. Pay attention to the house design

Another way of protecting your residence from destruction due to an earthquake is making the most of the house design. Firstly, single story residences are better suited for an earthquake-prone area when compared to multi-level homes. Secondly, ensure that there are no architectural elements close to your modern doors as this could block your exits if they collapse. Lastly, ensure that multi-level structures are constructed with steel reinforced concrete to enhance their stability.

3. Select the appropriate materials for your structure

When embarking on the construction of your home, you should note that there are specific materials that you could use to enhance the infrastructure of the residence and make it less susceptible to damage from vibrations. Reinforced concrete is one of the best materials are resisting damage as it provides your home with a sturdy frame. If you are constructing with timber, make sure the wood is bolted directly into the foundation. This additional measure will minimize shifting during an earthquake.

4. Ensure you invest in a structurally sound roof

If the roof of your residence will not be able to withstand an earthquake, chances are your home will suffer from significant damage too. A misassumption people make is that using heavy roofing materials will keep the building safer. In reality, lightweight materials work better in earthquake-prone areas to maintain flexibility. Instead of opting for concrete tiles, choose aluminum shingles installed on a plywood frame.

5. Install flexible pipework

Another way to enhance the flexibility of your new home -build would be using flexible hosing instead of solid piped. Solid pipes tend to be extremely rigid, putting them at risk of cracking or breaking during an earthquake. Flexible hosing, on the other hand, will shift in accordance with the movement of your home and would be more likely to stay intact.

Overall, buildings are constructed they are designed to withstand vertical load. Since earthquakes expose the building to lateral pressure, bearing in mind these considerations and more will ensure the structure is not at risk.

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