Buildings vs Nature

When the ground beneath us trembles in an earthquake, buildings also shake. As the base of a building moves, the whole structure can start to shake and even collapse.

So what can we do to protect a buildings from earthquakes?

Thankfully, there are many ingenious solutions. Many come particularly in areas of the world where earthquakes are most common, like New Zealand, Japan, and the west coast of North and South America.

One solution is base isolation. This involves constructing a building on top of flexible pads that absorb the force of the earthquake. While the base of a “base isolated building” moves during an earthquake, the structure remains steady. The building is isolated, or separated, from the force of the earthquake.

Imagine yourself sitting in a vibrating massage chair while holding a plate of jelly. Although you wobble, the jelly remains quite steady as your body absorbs the vibrations.

In a building, the isolating pads are made of steel, rubber and lead. The rubber provides flexibility, while sheets of steel add strength. The lead core absorbs the impact of the earthquake and turns some of its energy into heat.

Windy cities

Tall buildings also need to withstand the force of strong winds. The higher a building, the faster the wind speed it is likely to encounter. So how do very tall buildings remain standing in the face of powerful winds?

Engineers and architects have developed strategies to keep even the tallest buildings upright. Sometimes buildings are constructed with vents or channels for air to pass through. They may also taper as they get higher, to reduce the force exerted on the structure.

The Burj Khalifa in Dubai is 829.8 metres tall. By reducing the width of the tower as it gets higher, the building is able to withstand even the strongest winds.

Next time you're out in the city, try to spot the features that help the tallest buildings withstand powerful winds.