A Research On Earthquake Resistant Building Construction Term Paper

A Research On Earthquake Resistant Building Construction - Term Paper Example The big question that remains begging for answers, therefore, is as to why Haiti had so many casualties as compared to San Francisco. Joyce (2010) of NPR news agency observed that â€Å"most buildings hardly met engineering standards and were significantly fragile to withstand an earthquake of such a magnitude.† Then why did the Haitians, and more so their government, allowed such buildings to be constructed? The answer is simple; most Haitian and low-income earners and can barely afford to build similar to those found in San Francisco or New York, for instance. Effective architectural design, proper choice of structural components, and adherence to construction code of ethics guarantee the development of affordable earthquake resistant buildings that are less affected by earthquakes.Earthquakes refer to sudden movements or shaking of the earth surface. It could be man-made, for instance, those caused by heavy machinery, or natural that are often caused by geological process o ccurring from within the earth surface. When it occurs, weak structures end up being destroyed. There are several reasons that cause building to fail in the event of an earthquake. For example, at the instance that an earthquake strikes, the vertical and horizontal movements cause the building to shift from its position of rest. However, due to forces of inertia, the building's weight somehow changes and, hence, causing failure of the building. Also, the material used in the construction of the building contributes to this failure.