Which Buildings Can Stand Earthquakes Better, Metal Or Concrete Buildings

In many areas of the country, it is important to construct the buildings in the area to stand damage from earthquakes. Because most earthquakes are unexpected, the building's developer cannot depend on an early warning system to prevent harm to the individuals inside the building in the event of an earthquake. The building has to be able to withstand an earthquake that can occur at any time. For this reason, many researchers have compiled mounds of information on the best way to construct a building to stand earthquakes.

Most commercial structures that are built today are comprised out of either concrete or metal. These are the two most popular materials to construct commercial structures out of because of the numerous advantages of using these materials. Both materials are extremely strong and durable, creating a structure that will be sound for a very long period of time. Both materials are inorganic which makes them invulnerable to rot, fungi, termites, and mold. The materials do not break down as easily as some other types of building materials may. But when it comes to standing earthquakes, which material is better; concrete or metal?

Although this may be surprising to many individuals, the answer is metal. Buildings that are designed to stand earthquakes are designed to be flexible and move without breaking. The unyielding nature of concrete means that the building may crack and collapse on its foundation if it is hit with a sizable earthquake. However, metal can be formed to flex and bend without breaking to allow the metal building to sway with the movement of the earthquake, thereby reducing the stress on the building and helping the building to remain solid. By using metal supports in the building, the developer can greatly improve the chances of the building standing an earthquake.

There are several different types of metal that can be used to improve a building's chances of coming through a strong earthquake unscathed. The most common type of building material used today is steel or steel rebar. Steel is extremely strong as a building material but also has the ability to flex and stretch far beyond what many individuals would expect. By using steel for the supports of the building, the developer lessens the chances that the frame of the steel building will crack or collapse under stress. Although the strength of the earthquake may visibly deform the building, the frame of the building will stand greatly lessening the number of injuries that will occur inside the building as a result of the earthquake.

Many buildings that are built to withstand earthquakes today are vastly different than the buildings built by previous generations. Besides using steel in the construction of the buildings, the building now typically have numerous supports located on the first floor of the building. Previously, the first floor of the building was very open while the higher levels had more walls, frames, and supports. Researchers found that during an earthquake, the bottom floor typically collapsed, ruining the rest of the structure. By adding more support to the bottom floor, the developers lessened the risk that it would collapse damaging the floors above.

Future Steel Buildings manufactures steel and metal buildings. It has a wide selection of steel building kits [http://www.futuresteel.com/commercial.html] and pre-fabricated buildings that will exceed your expectations.

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How to Establish an Earthquake Preparedness Plan?

What are the consequences of a Strong Earthquake?

Your home may have some level of structural damage to foundations, cripple walls, anchorage of walls to the floor or roof, masonry chimney, and around the garage opening or large window openings if soft story conditions are met. On the other hand, damage to non-structural elements and contents is most likely to occur to interior partitions, exterior wall panels, suspended ceilings, electrical and mechanical equipment, ducts, water and gas pipes, water heaters, hanging objects, furniture, home electronics, dishes, etc. In the meantime, electrical, gas, water and sewage, and transportation systems are most likely to be disrupted for several days, weeks, or even months after a strong earthquake. Emergency response agencies and hospitals will likely be over-whelmed and unable to provide immediate assistance. To help your family cope during and after future inevitable earthquakes, you should establish, update, or maintain your own earthquake preparedness plan now.

What is an Earthquake Preparedness Plan?

Earthquake preparedness is to know how to setup various disaster plans before a moderate-to-large earthquake hits your area, and how to react during and after the earthquake. The objective is to protect yourself and your family from destructive earthquakes as well as to minimize the earthquake damage to your home and its contents. Seismic retrofitting and contents mitigation are two major components of earthquake preparedness that will be discussed in separate articles. Disaster management and disaster recovery during and after the earthquake will also be discussed in another article. In this article, you will learn how to prepare personal survival kits, a household emergency kit including emergency food and water for two weeks, a financial recovery kit, and other essential emergency preparedness items.

How to Prepare Personal Survival Kits?

For each household member; keep one survival kit at home, another in the car, and a third kit at work/school. Backpacks or other small bags are best for survival kits. These kits are collections of first aid, survival, and emergency supplies that shall include:


1. Medications, prescriptions list, medical insurance cards copies, doctors' names and contact information.
2. First aid kit and handbook, dust mask, sturdy shoes, and whistle.
3. Spare eyeglasses or contact lenses and cleaning solutions.
4. Personal hygiene supplies.
5. Bottled water, snack foods high in calories, and toiletries.
6. Working flash-light with extra batteries and light bulbs.
7. Extra cell phone battery and charger.
8. Emergency cash and road maps.
9. Copies of personal identification, and list of out-of-area emergency contact phone numbers.
10. Games, crayons, writing materials and teddy bears for children.

How to Prepare a Household Emergency Kit?

Store a household emergency kit in an easily accessible outdoor location other than the garage. This kit which complements your family's personal survival kits should be in a large watertight container that can be easily moved and should hold at least one week (ideally two weeks) emergency supplies of the following items:

1. A minimum of one gallon per person per day of drinking water.
2. Emergency food that is canned and packaged.
3. Cooking utensils including a manual can opener.
4. Charcoal or gas grill for outdoor cooking and matches.
5. Pet food and pet restraints.
6. First aid supplies and medications.
7. Essential hygiene items such as soap, toothpaste, and toilet paper.
8. Extra car and house keys.
9. A wrench and other basic tools.
10. Working flash-light with extra batteries and light bulbs.
11. A portable battery-operated radio with spare batteries.
12. Comfortable warm clothing, baby items, extra socks, blankets or sleeping bags, and even a tent.
13. Work gloves and protective goggles.
14. Heavy-duty plastic bags for waste and to serve other uses.

How to Prepare a Financial Recovery Kit?

Copies of your essential financial documents should be kept in a fire-proof document safe in order to be available after a damaging earthquake. Consider purchasing a home safe or renting a safe deposit box. Copies of essential documents in this financial recovery kit shall include:

1. Picture identifications, birth certificates, social security cards, naturalization papers or residency documents, passports, driver licenses, marriage license or divorce papers, child custody papers, and power of attorney papers.
2. Medical prescription and records.
3. Mortgage, home improvement records, homeowner and auto insurance policies, and earthquake insurance policy.
4. A list of phone numbers for your financial institutions and credit card companies.
5. Bank statements and financial records, credit card numbers, and certificates for stocks, bonds, and other investments.
6. A list of your household inventory and possessions with photos and videos. Appraisals of valuable jewelry, art, and antiques. This item is particularly important for earthquake insurance claims.
7. Deeds, titles, and other ownership records for property such as homes, autos, recreation vehicles, and boats.
8. A backup of critical files on your computer. A list of names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of critical personal and business contacts.
9. Wills or trust documents.
10. Emergency cash.

Other Emergency Preparedness Items

1. Provide all family members with a list of important contact phone numbers including a designated out-of-area emergency contact person who can be called by everyone to tell where they are.
2. Locate a safe place outside your home to meet your family after the shaking stops.
3. Determine where to live if your home cannot be occupied after an earthquake.
4. Know about the earthquake preparedness plan developed by your children's school or day care.
5. Keep a working flashlight and sturdy shoes next to everyone's bed.
6. Install smoke alarms, test them monthly, and change the battery once a year.
7. Buy a fire extinguisher, put it in an easily accessible location, and get training in how to use it properly.
8. Keep needed tools near utility shutoffs and learn how to turn off electricity, water, and gas. Only turn off the gas if you smell or hear leaking gas.

9. Identify safe spots in every room, such as under sturdy desks and tables, then practice "drop, cover, and hold on" with your family specially children. Learn how to protect your head at all times during earthquake shaking.
10. Determine the best escape routes from your home and from each room.
11. Take a Red Cross first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training course.


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