Qualities of Buildings to Survive Earthquake

Seismic forces and deformations that impacts buildings during earthquake are the main challenge for the engineers and architects. Both have contribution to construct a better seismic performance structure. Seismic codes to help design engineers and architects in the planning, designing, detailing and constructing of structures are developed around the world with small to large variations according to the local geological conditions. An earthquake-resistant building has four virtues in it, namely:

(a) Good Structural Configuration: Its size, shape and structural system carrying loads are such that they ensure a direct and smooth flow of inertia

forces to the ground.

(b) Lateral Strength: The maximum lateral (horizontal) force that it can resist is such that the damage induced in it does not result in collapse.

(c)Adequate Stiffness: Its lateral load resisting system is such that the earthquake-induced deformations in it do not damage its contents under low-to-moderate shaking.

(d) Good Ductility: Its capacity to undergo large deformations under severe earthquake shaking even after yielding, is improved by favourable design and detailing strategies.