What to do during an earthquake ?? (Safety measures during earthquakes)

Various models on earthquake safety are available for the protection during quakes. Three such safety approaches are widely discussed here that could be adopted during earthquakes.

Drop, Cover and Hold on (DCH), Triangle of Life (TOL)*, Safe Evacuation are some of the safety measures. Also, as a precautionary measure, the following preventive method is available before an event of earthquake strikes.......

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In your view, how safe are the high-rise constructions going-on these days in Kathmandu Valley considering earthquake scenario?

"Concerned government authorities have made it mandatory to submit the Structural Design Drawings of high‐rises for construction approval. But it is NOT mandatory to be designed by Structural Engineers. In such, public seem to be perplexed to hire the Structural Engineers where Civil Engineers are practicing such designs using simplistic codal approach neglecting the Local soil effect, Building Dynamics, Structural Ductility and many more factors that are essentials elements for structural safety. Design prepared using such simplistic approach will be highly inaccurate hence unsafe incase of earthquakes"

"WE must not forget that recent Chilean Earthquake of magnitude Mw 8.8 claimed about 800 human lives whereas Haitian earthquake Mw 7.0 claimed more than 200, 000 human lives. Of course this huge difference in casualties was due to the non‐engineered buildings in Haiti which could have been saved by the use of proper technology"

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Portland Pozzolana Cement, PPC, of course offers some superior properties to that of Ordinary Portland Cement, OPC; provided that the Pozzolanas used in the production of such PPC are in right quantities and of good quality; a reactive one.

Use of PPC in making concrete is highly desirable from durability point of view because of its Pozzolanic action. In due course of time, It produces a more durable and hence stronger concrete than OPC........

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What does Seismic Retrofitting mean?

It is the method of strengthening of the already built damaged/undamaged old/new building structures those are found to be weak in earthquake loading that may occur in future. Retrofitting works may also be necessary in a well built building if extra storeys are needed to added........

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Compression Test of the Concrete Specimen is most widely used test to measure its compressive strength. Two types of concrete specimen: Cubes & Cylinders are used for this purpose:

Cubes of size 150 mm are more common in Asia, Russia & European countries while Cylinders of 150 mm in diameter & 300 mm high are common in U.S and Australia........

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Fluid Visocus Dampers (FVD), that operate on fluid orificing, when installed in buildings significantly improve its damping characteristics. Mechanical energy of the vibrating building is gradually converted into the thermal energy; thereby decaying the amplitude of vibration.........

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