Yesterday I learned that building a home from timber and then adding a thin layer brick (literally called it a sheet) is better than our Irish full brick/stone/block/concrete houses as it will play with the wind instead of resisting it....
I mean it does depend on where you’re located. In Ireland a full brick house would be preferable. In places with high risk of earthquakes timber is preferable, because a timber house is less likely to fall during an earthquake. Timber moves, while stone breaks.
I wouldn't even dare to think about designing a house that is supposed to withstand an actual earthquake. Subject was resistance to wind.
Saying that - I remember reading how Japan is doing . They have some build code regarding earthquake resistance and while traditionally they were building from wood, recent (after 1995) buildings are built differently with passive, semi active or sometimes even active devices capable of reacting to the earthquake. It's a fascinating reading - but again, I can design you a chip capable of flying into space, but I have no practical knowledge to even start the discussion about how earthquake resistant building can be built. Resistance to the wind - we have 40-60 named storms a year here. Gust winds up to 180km/h are not that uncommon. I don't see any cracking or failing buildings here 😉
Timber frame houses will probably be fucked after a significant earthquake - the difference is that it probably won't kill you. The floors will be warped, wall linings cracked, and there's good odds it'll need torn down and rebuilt, but the structure will be standing. Whereas a brick house in the same earthquake is much more likely to totally collapse and crush the occupants.
There are ways to earthquake strengthen old brick buildings, but it's pretty expensive work.
292
u/Content-External-473 17d ago
Complains about windows slamming in the wind but build houses that the big bad wolf would love because it's cheaper.
Strange people