Designing an earthquake proof building Firstly Ways of

Designing an earthquake proof building Firstly: Ways of strengthening buildings

Cross- bracing • Two diagonal supports in a X shape. • This helps to provide strength and support preventing the building from twisting.

Base Isolation or shock absorbers • This allows the building to move side to side as the earthquake happens and absorb the shock waves.

Shear Walls • Thin walls made from concrete with steel bars in them. • This helps to reduce rocking movements.

The shape of the building… Some of the most earthquake proof buildings in the world. Transamerica Pyramid San Francisco Taipei 101 Taiwan Burj Khalifa Dubai The Yokohama Landmark Tower Japan

Challenge: Other things to consider! • Gas and electricity lines are automatically turned off • Shutters come down on the building over the windows • Sprinkler system

The Transamerica Pyramid. San Francisco

A Japanese Pagoda

The Taipei 101 building

Now it’s your turn! Here is your Success Criteria: q. Your building has to fit on a table that is at least 30 cm by 30 cm. q. It has to withstand 10 seconds of shaking (by shaking the table). q. It must be at least 30 cm tall.

Firstly, you need to decide what you will make your building with. Look for materials you might have lying around the house. For example: - Card board - Straws - Supplies for building e. g. tape, rubber bands etc. Using the materials you have gathered, design the plan for your building on paper…

What a good one looks like…

It would be lovely to see your final products! Why not video your building! Will it survive the shake? ! Please feel free to share your wonderful work with our Twitter page (@Boldmere. Schools)! Get building!

Why not test your building with a shake table made out of jelly!