Is a triangular building design best for withstanding an earthquake?

Posted by admin on November 22nd, 2009 and filed under building design | 2 Comments »

Describe y or y not plz

Triangular structures are "stiff," i.e., they resist bending. However, the energy imparted to a building during an earthquake has to be dissipated somehow, and a stiff, rigid building actually has to be built stronger than one that can bend, which increases cost and limits the height of such a building.

Therefore, a less stiff building is actually more desirable, since it will also resist earthquakes, but provides a taller building for the same cost or materials.

2 Responses

  1. arbiter007 Says:

    Triangular structures are "stiff," i.e., they resist bending. However, the energy imparted to a building during an earthquake has to be dissipated somehow, and a stiff, rigid building actually has to be built stronger than one that can bend, which increases cost and limits the height of such a building.

    Therefore, a less stiff building is actually more desirable, since it will also resist earthquakes, but provides a taller building for the same cost or materials.
    References :

  2. Michael S Says:

    Triangles are best, bar none… RB Fuller’s tetrahedron structures and the octet truss are perfect for this function, the stresses will be carried by the whole structure and thereby minimized, just isolate the foundation from the earth and build a geodesic dome over it.
    References :

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