During certain earthquakes it has been noted that buildings of a certain height

Question

During certain earthquakes it has been noted that buildings of a certain height are destroyed while those shorter and those taller, are not easily destroyed. Explain how? During certain earthquakes it has been noted that buildings of a certain height are destroyed while those shorter and those taller, are not easily destroyed. Explain how? During certain earthquakes it has been noted that buildings of a certain height are destroyed while those shorter and those taller, are not easily destroyed. Explain how?

Explanation / Answer

When the ground shakes, buildings respond to the accelerations transmitted from the ground through the structure's foundation. The inertia of the building (it wants to stay at rest) can cause shearing of the structure which can concentrate stresses on the weak walls or joints in the structure resulting in failure or perhaps total collapse. The type of shaking and the frequency of shaking depends on the structure. Tall buildings tend to amplify the motions of longer period motions when compared with small buildings. Each structure has a resonance frequency that is characteristic of the building. Predicting the precise behavior of buildings is complicated.

Resonance is the oscillation, or up-and-down or back-andforth motion caused by a seismic wave. During an earthquake, buildings oscillate (figure at right). Not all buildings respond to an earthquake equally. If the frequency of an oscillation is close to the natural frequency of the building, resonance may cause severe damage.

Large structures or high rise buildings are more affected by long period, or slow shaking. A skyscraper will sustain greater shaking by long-period earthquake waves than by the shorter waves.

Small building are not affected by long period because these buildings are stiffer than the highest.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse D
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.