Building Tough: Earthquake-Resistant Structures

Last updated about 1 year ago

Instructions

1. Make sure to read the text before answering questions
2. Use pages 32-35 in our textbook to support your responses

Explain the concept of earthquake-resistant structures and why they are important for saving lives and reducing damage during seismic events.

Hey there! Let's talk about earthquake-resistant structures and why they are so crucial in saving lives and minimizing damage during seismic events. Earthquake-resistant structures are buildings or other man-made structures designed to withstand the damaging effects of earthquakes. These structures are built using specialized construction techniques and materials to ensure they can absorb and dissipate the energy released during an earthquake. By incorporating features like flexible foundations, shock absorbers, and reinforced walls, these buildings can sway and bend without collapsing when the ground shakes. This design helps protect people inside the building and reduces the potential for injuries or fatalities. Additionally, earthquake-resistant structures also play a significant role in reducing the overall economic losses caused by earthquakes by preserving infrastructure and preventing widespread destruction. So, the next time you see a sturdy building that can withstand an earthquake, remember that it's not just a building - it's a lifesaver!

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1 point

Question 1

Why are earthquake-resistant structures important?

A. To minimize damage during seismic events

B. To increase economic losses

C. To collapse easily during earthquakes

D. To make earthquakes more damaging

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Question 2

What features can earthquake-resistant structures incorporate to help them withstand earthquakes?

A. Rigid walls

B. Brittle foundations

C. Shock absorbers

D. Unreinforced walls

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Question 3

How do earthquake-resistant structures help save lives?

Preserving infrastructure

Buildings collapse

Buildings can sway and bend

Increasing destruction

Identify key design features and materials used in earthquake-resistant structures, such as base isolators, flexible foundations, and damping systems.

Hey there! Let's talk about how engineers design earthquake-resistant structures to keep buildings safe during earthquakes. One important design feature is base isolators, which are like shock absorbers for buildings. These isolators sit between the building and its foundation, allowing the structure to move independently from the ground motions during an earthquake. Another cool feature is flexible foundations, which are designed to absorb and disperse the energy from an earthquake, reducing the stress on the building. Additionally, engineers use damping systems to absorb and dissipate the energy of seismic waves, helping to reduce the building's movements. By using these key design features and materials, engineers create buildings that are better able to withstand the shaking and vibrations of an earthquake. How awesome is that?

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Question 4

What are base isolators used for in earthquake-resistant structures?

Increasing the building's height

Reducing stress on the building during an earthquake

Expanding the building's footprint

Providing lighting within the building

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Question 5

Which design feature allows the structure to move independently from the ground motions during an earthquake?

Flexible foundations

Damping systems

Base isolators

Concrete walls

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Question 6

How do engineers use damping systems in earthquake-resistant structures?

To increase stress on the building

To reduce vibrations in the building

To make the building more rigid

To decrease energy absorption

For structures to withstand an earthquake, 
the ground itself must hold together. Many  
moist soils—especially those rich in clay—and  
loose soils, like sand, lose their compactness  
during an earthquake. When wet soil or sand  
shakes, the water between the grains will  
often start to migrate so that the grains do  
not touch each other anymore. The soil then  
acts like liquid—a process called liquefaction.  
A building standing where liquefaction is  
happening can collapse as the foundation sinks  
into the wet, muddy sediment. Buildings in  
earthquake-prone areas should stand on solid  
steel pilings driven deep through a loose or wet  
soil layer into solid rock deep in the ground.  
 

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Question 7

What happens to moist soils like clay during an earthquake?

Becomes more compact

Grows in strength

Becomes more porous

Lose compactness

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Question 8

What process occurs when wet soil or sand shakes during an earthquake?

Liquefaction

Erosion

Dilution

Solidification

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Question 9

Why do buildings in earthquake-prone areas need solid steel pilings?

To quake more

To shake less

Stand on strong foundation

To look taller

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Question 10

10.

Where should buildings in earthquake-prone areas be placed for better stability?

Sand dunes

Wet sand

Solid rock

Clay soil

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Question 11

11.

Where should buildings in earthquake-prone areas be placed for better stability?

Sand dunes

Wet sand

Solid rock

Clay soil

Required

1 point

Question 12

12.

Building Tough: Earthquake-Resistant Structures

Why are earthquake-resistant structures important?

What features can earthquake-resistant structures incorporate to help them withstand earthquakes?

How do earthquake-resistant structures help save lives?

What are base isolators used for in earthquake-resistant structures?

Which design feature allows the structure to move independently from the ground motions during an earthquake?

How do engineers use damping systems in earthquake-resistant structures?

What happens to moist soils like clay during an earthquake?

What process occurs when wet soil or sand shakes during an earthquake?

Why do buildings in earthquake-prone areas need solid steel pilings?

Where should buildings in earthquake-prone areas be placed for better stability?

Where should buildings in earthquake-prone areas be placed for better stability?

Click on the furniture that should be bolted to the wall?