Not quake, it’s the buildings

The study on the performance of buildings during the earthquake in Bhuj in 2001 brought out the reasons for their destruction, and suggested several measures for earthquake resistant construction in developing countries. As the devastation in Nepal shows, its results remain relevant even now.

♦ No buildings had reinforcement, walls were not tied to each other, to floors or roofs. Roofs were of wooden logs. These factors made buildings very vulnerable.

♦ Most collapsed buildings had either load-bearing masonry or RCC framed structures.

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♦ Few buildings met the requirements laid down by the Indian Standard IS 4326: 1993 for load bearing masonry construction.

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Buildings after Bhuj quake
Published online on November 23, 2001

Authors: Jag Mohan Humar, David Lau, Jean-Robert Pierre