How does Chilean infrastructure resist BIG earthquakes?
The earthquake a few days ago in Chile was an 8.2 magnitude on the Richter scale. Numerous aftershocks followed. One of the aspects that caught…
Chile’s infrastructure and earthquakes. (Shutterstock)
The earthquake a few days ago in Chile was an 8.2 magnitude on the Richter scale. Numerous aftershocks followed. One of the aspects that caught the attention of international witnesses is that, despite logical fear, citizens, in general, didnt run out of their homes terrified and the destruction that would be expected with such an earth-moving event.
SEE ALSO: 7 dead in Chile forest fire; 500 homes destroyed
Throughout its history, Chile has been hit by numerous earthquakes. In fact, the largest one historically recorded (a 9.6 magnitude on the Richter scale) occurred in the southern city of Valdivia in 1960. Despite Chile being the world’s most seismic country, buildings rarely collapse.
Chileans have learned to live with the certainty that the ground will move sooner or later, so they know how to act without falling into panic and have learned that, with many more buildings in compliance with their strict anti-seismic rules, the devastation is minimal.
How do they do it?
The Chile earthquake — at a magnitude of 8.8 — was much stronger than the one that hit Haiti, but casualties and damages appear to be far less. Why? (Shutterstock)
The opinion of the experts consulted by BBC Mundo is clear: the first secret behind the tough Chilean buildings is the structure of reinforced concrete and steel, sufficiently flexible and resistant to allow the building to move, wobble and not fall; insulators and seismic energy dissipating elements that allow the Earths movement to not be transferred to the building and, if transferred, that energy is absorbed.
Another crucial element is the use of soil study so that the foundations are appropriate.
This is a very specialized analysis that guarantees the stability of the building according very strict rules: “To each soil type corresponds a specific calculation for size, shape, depth and strength of the foundations,” explains the President of the Architects College of Chile, Sebastián Gray.
The second key factor is the awareness that auto-building without following these rules is harmful and a key element in the few landslides that have happened.
The earthquakes that Chile has suffered have impacted the collective consciousness so that everyone is aware of the benefits of meeting certain fundamental rules of construction. They require use of materials and studies that make the construction much more expensive, but still, as demonstrated earthquake after earthquake, seem to be respected.
“Standards assure that, in Chile, structures have a resistance that can save human lives,” said architect Jaime Díaz, Professor of the University of Chile, to BBC World.
Experts agree that a key is in the structure of reinforced concrete and steel, sufficiently flexible and resistant to allow the building to move, wobble and not fall.
3 Rules Depending on the Intensity
Chilean Regulations anticipate three types of earthquakes according to their intensity.
- For the moderate ones, the constructions must be prepared to move and return to the original position without damage.
- The strong ones, like the latest quake, small cracks and deformations, at most, are whats expected.
- The severe ones, including the earthquake of 2010, are expected to do considerable damage that perhaps cannot be repaired, but it will not cause a building to collapse.
This seismic regulations are constantly revised, especially after a big event. Still, experts are confident that the most modern constructions of Chile are prepared to withstand what may come, unless it is a cataclysm of magnitude greater than a 9.
Chile is a country built almost earthquake-proof… an example to imitate for other parts of the world today. This is the best investment, although it is true that it requires a budget that not all Governments are willing to spend.
SEE ALSO: Chile joins Mexico, Peru in drought
