How modern engineering improves building durability in earthquakes

Building techniques have changed dramatically in the past 90 years. When designing a new structure or making upgrades to existing structures, architects and engineers prepare to be affected by earthquakes.

“Most of Montana is seismically active,” said architect Mark Ophus of SMA Architecture + Design. “Even though, fortunately, we don’t get a lot of big earthquakes, we have to plan for the worst.”

(Watch: How modern engineering improves the durability of buildings in the event of earthquakes)

How modern engineering improves building durability in earthquakes

One big factor that caused so much damage in 1935, even though the earthquakes were not very large, was the type of materials and techniques used in construction. Many of the buildings were made of unreinforced brick, which shook during earthquakes.

Several factors explain why brick and other stone masonry were so popular a century ago in Helena. The Queen City of the Rockies experienced several devastating fires in its early years. Steel was also expensive to ship, and bricks could be manufactured in Helena.

HELENAHISTORY.ORG

Houses damaged by the 1935 earthquake

Click here to learn more about the Great Earthquake of 1935

Planning for a major earthquake is difficult, and it often takes an event like 1935 to drive changes and innovation.

“Every time there's a new earthquake and there's a lot of damage, we engineers step in and evaluate what worked and what didn't,” explained structural engineer Travis Bradshaw of DCI Engineers.

Although hundreds of buildings were destroyed during the major earthquake, many survived and can be repaired. But as the years go by, improvements often need to be made.

Central School in downtown Helena is a more recent example of when a building had to be replaced or repaired due to earthquake concerns. The former building had to be evacuated after a study confirmed it was at risk of catastrophic failure in the event of a major earthquake.

MTN News

Old Central School in Helena

SMA designed the new building after the decision to replace the school was made.

“When we participated and watched the demolition of that building, it was demolished much faster than anyone expected,” Ovos recalls. “There was an excavator used to demolish it, and he had to quickly back up to avoid the wall falling on him

Modern buildings use more steel and reinforced materials than in the past, which is better in the event of an earthquake.

Damage from a major earthquake is likely unavoidable, but construction workers are taking steps to protect any occupants the best they can. Reinforcing stairs and ensuring that overhanging materials do not fall on people is taken into account in the designs.

“I have two kids in the school district here in Helena, and that makes me really happy, you know, when I know they're going to a school or a structure that I know can withstand a seismic event or can withstand whatever loads the environment throws at it,” Bradshaw noted.

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