Earthquake-resistant Structures

For relatively small buildings, all engineers have to do is bolt de buildings to their foundations and
add some support walls. Support walls are known like shear walls and they are reinforced using
steel rods embedded in it. Shear walls can be situated in elevator shaft or a stairwell of that way
they are an excellent reinforcement. Walls can also be reinforced using a technique call cross-
bracing. That is beams that cross diagonally from ceiling to the floor of each story on building.

In addition to steal reinforcements, engineers have created base isolators, which are positioned
below the building and they absorbs the shock waves. Base isolators are created using alternating
layers of steel and synthetic rubber that allows to the building sway during seismic activity.The
combination of a reinforced structure and flexible materials has been proven to reduce
earthquake damage. But they are not sufficient in buildings constructed on filled ground.

Phrases

It is important know about the kind of ground where our houses are constructed since it could
determine the level of earthquake resistance of them

Both steel and rubber are very important in base isolators because they provide strength and
flexibility respectively

Investigation in earthquake-resistance structures not only protects human lives but also save a lot
of money each year in damages

Questions

 How support walls is referred in a student´s textbook?

 What does the professor mean when he says reinforced concrete?
 Where are shear walls situated in a building?
 What does shear core mean?
 Is cross-bracing an earthquake-resistant structure?
 Why does base isolators is made of rubber?
 Where is base isolators positioned?
 In higher buildings, what does allows to they sway?
 Why buildings constructed in filled ground are not earthquake resistant?

Vocabulary

Bolt Ceiling
Shear Walls Row
Embedded Devised
Rods Rubber
Shaft Moat
Beams Bearing