In regions with high earthquake risk, it is not enough for buildings to be earthquake-resistant: they must also continue functioning after an earthquake to prevent economic and social disruptions. Constructing resilient and sustainable structures is necessary to ensure that businesses remain operational, interruptions to vital services are prevented, and social stability is maintained. This article discusses methods to prevent business interruptions and ensure sustainability after an earthquake.
Seismic Isolated Structures
Special isolation systems placed between the foundation and the superstructure absorb earthquake energy and prevent structural damage. Isolators and, if necessary, additional damping devices in the isolation layer separate the building from earthquake ground motion. Elastomeric isolators, combining rubber and steel plates, provide both flexibility and durability, allowing horizontal movements while resisting vertical ones. Lead Core Elastomeric Isolators, utilizing the plastic deformation of the lead core, play a crucial role in absorbing earthquake energy. Sliding Isolation Systems use low-friction surfaces in the foundation, enabling free movement during an earthquake. Additional energy-absorbing dampers can further enhance stability by reducing vibration amplitudes. Seismic isolated structures are particularly favored for investments involving sensitive equipment and critical functions, as they protect human life and ensure business continuity. Applying these technologies in facilities with sensitive equipment and strategically significant structures offers a robust solution to mitigate economic and operational losses after an earthquake. Their widespread adoption in high-risk areas will contribute to building safer and more sustainable cities.
Energy Absorbing Vibration Controlled Structures
Various dampers, such as mass-tuned, viscous, and friction dampers, are used to absorb earthquake energy and reduce vibrations, serving as effective tools to prevent structural damage during earthquakes. These advanced vibration control technologies, also used to maintain stability against strong winds, enhance structural safety by minimizing the forces acting on buildings through damping. Tuned-Mass Dampers (TMD), widely employed in large structures like skyscrapers and bridges, use a mass tuned to the structure's vibration frequency to counteract vibrations. Viscous dampers, filled with a fluid that creates resistance, effectively absorb energy and are particularly suited for high-rise buildings, while friction dampers utilize the friction force between moving parts to dissipate vibration energy.
As indispensable components of modern structural engineering, these systems protect human life and economic assets, playing a crucial role in safeguarding structures from the effects of earthquakes and wind. Their widespread adoption, supported by innovative solutions, is essential for building safer and more sustainable cities.
“To minimize post-earthquake risks, technologies such as automatic shutdown systems and valves that cut off gas and liquid flow should be integrated into facilities as part of an Earthquake Emergency Response System (EERS).’’
Post-Earthquake Business Continuity
Non-Structural Risks
One of the most significant threats to post-earthquake business continuity is damage to non-structural elements, such as pipes, power lines, machines, and lighting systems, which can halt operations regardless of a structure's integrity.
Statistics indicate that non-structural elements account for 50% of injuries and 3% of deaths during earthquakes. Neglecting these risks not only increases economic losses but also delays the resumption of operations. Failures in critical equipment, such as electrical panels, generators, pumps, and HVAC systems, can result in prolonged outages and must be addressed through proper engineering services, flexible connections, and backup power sources. Partition walls, suspended ceilings, and lighting units can fall during tremors, causing casualties and property damage, while unsecured machinery and equipment in work areas are prone to toppling or being damaged. Leaks in pipe systems may lead to secondary disasters, such as fires or explosions, necessitating the use of flexible fittings and automatic gas shutoff systems. Base isolation techniques can protect equipment from high accelerations, enhancing business continuity, particularly in production facilities. Systems that evaluate structural conditions immediately after an earthquake enable rapid decision-making and hazard mitigation. Effective management of non-structural risks is essential for both building safety and operational continuity, and the implementation of advanced technologies and proactive measures can minimize these risks, ensuring quick post-earthquake recovery and preventing significant economic losses.
Earthquake Emergency Response Systems
To minimize post-earthquake risks, technologies such as automatic shutdown systems and valves that cut off gas and liquid flow should be integrated into facilities as part of an Earthquake Emergency Response System (EERS). These systems activate automatically to prevent secondary disasters, such as fires, gas leaks, and hazardous material spills, while ensuring control of critical systems to enhance safety. EERS continuously monitors seismic activity through sensors embedded in the structure and triggers predefined scenarios when specified acceleration thresholds are exceeded. These scenarios include shutting down critical equipment, halting hazardous material transmission, and initiating emergency announcements. Widely used in industrial areas like petrochemical plants, refineries, and production facilities, EERS controls hazardous materials and protects equipment. High-rise buildings benefit from these systems for managing elevator operations and evacuation processes, while healthcare facilities rely on them to protect medical devices and activate emergency protocols. In power generation facilities, EERS safely halts energy flow to reduce fire risks. For example, systems powered by electricity can spark fires during earthquakes, but EERS can automatically shut down main power lines to mitigate this risk. By executing predefined scenarios and announcements, EERS helps control panic, particularly in high-rise buildings. Sensitive machinery and equipment prone to earthquake damage can be placed in a safe mode to prevent prolonged operational disruptions. Elevators are stopped at the nearest floor to facilitate safe evacuation, preventing injuries and saving time. Overall, EERS plays a critical role in maintaining business continuity, safeguarding infrastructure, and preventing secondary disasters after an earthquake, thereby minimizing loss of life and property.
Structural Health Monitoring Systems
Determining the usability of structures after earthquakes is essential for ensuring business continuity, and structural health monitoring systems (SHMS) play a critical role in this process. These technological systems evaluate the condition of buildings, bridges, facilities, and other infrastructures in real time, detecting damage and supporting preventive maintenance efforts. SHMS enhance life safety by enabling rapid post-earthquake decision-making while minimizing operational disruptions. Comprised of sensors and data processing units, these systems use accelerometers to measure structural movement and vibrations during earthquakes, strain gauges to monitor stress levels in concrete and steel elements, and laser or fiber optic sensors to track bending and torsional movements with high precision. Data collected by these sensors is analyzed in real time at a central data processing hub, where the structure's performance levels and potential damage are assessed.
Communication and warning systems automatically notify users when critical thresholds are exceeded, enabling swift precautionary measures. By providing instant insights into structural conditions, SHMS reduce the need for time-consuming physical inspections, particularly in large facilities. Dangerous structures are identified quickly, allowing for safe evacuation, while business interruptions and economic losses are minimized. Additionally, these systems pinpoint damage locations, facilitating targeted maintenance and reducing repair costs.
“Structural health monitoring systems (SHMS) are essential for minimizing post-earthquake risks to business sustainability, as they not only detect structural damage but also facilitate the rapid resumption of operational processes.”
They also provide strategic information regarding the timeline for resuming operations, especially in production facilities and critical infrastructures. SHMS confirm the safety of undamaged structures, preventing unnecessary evacuations and managing panic. Furthermore, drones integrated with these systems can rapidly scan inaccessible areas after an earthquake, enhancing the efficiency of post-disaster assessments.
Structural health monitoring systems (SHMS) are essential for minimizing post-earthquake risks to business sustainability, as they not only detect structural damage but also facilitate the rapid resumption of operational processes. Powered by advanced technologies, SHMS have become an indispensable component of modern earthquake management, and their widespread adoption across public and private sectors is critical to maximizing economic and social benefits.
Differences Between EERS and SHMS
Both basic systems are used together to ensure business continuity after an earthquake and minimize loss of life. While earthquake emergency response systems (EERS) and structural health monitoring systems (SHMS) are both aimed at earthquake preparedness, they differ in terms of their functions, application areas, and benefits. EERS is designed to prevent secondary disasters that may occur during and after an earthquake. The system is automatically activated when specified acceleration levels are exceeded and applies predefined scenarios. It is used in critical structures such as industrial facilities, high-rise buildings, hospitals, and power plants, minimizing risks such as fires and gas leaks by focusing on preventing secondary disasters. Panic is controlled through automatic announcement systems to reduce human panic, and damage to sensitive devices is prevented as part of protecting critical equipment. Additionally, rapid intervention and evacuation processes are effectively managed, including elevator control and evacuation management.
Structural health monitoring systems (SHMS) are designed to monitor the performance of structures before, during, and after an earthquake. The dynamic properties of the structure are continuously monitored through sensors, and possible damages are detected. SHMS is applied to various structures such as bridges, tunnels, dams, historical buildings, and high-rise buildings. It provides information about the current status of the structure, supporting damage detection, maintenance planning, and optimizing maintenance processes. It also aids rapid decision-making about the structure’s usability after an earthquake by determining its security level. To extend the structure's lifespan, SHMS continuously monitors its performance and facilitates timely interventions. In terms of timing, EERS is activated during and immediately after the earthquake, while SHMS works continuously before, during, and after the earthquake.
While the purpose of EERS is to prevent secondary disasters and provide emergency intervention, SHMS focuses on monitoring the structure's performance and detecting damage. Therefore, EERS and SHMS are complementary systems in ensuring business continuity and safety after an earthquake. EERS focuses on emergency response and prevention of secondary disasters, while SHMS ensures long-term security by monitoring the general health of the structure. The integration of both systems offers more comprehensive protection against earthquake risk.
Local Seismic Isolation
Preserving business continuity after an earthquake is vital for businesses and critical infrastructures. Local seismic isolation (LSI) aims to minimize the destructive effects of earthquakes by offering an effective solution in this context. The benefits and wide range of applications provided by this technology offer a significant advantage for businesses seeking to ensure continuity and equipment safety. LSI prevents damage to vital devices in hospitals and healthcare facilities, ensuring operational continuity. It supports uninterrupted energy supply by protecting electricity generation and distribution equipment, such as power plants. High-precision machines used in industrial production lines are safeguarded, and critical servers and communication equipment in digital data centers are protected to prevent data loss.
By significantly reducing repair and renewal costs after an earthquake, LSI ensures that equipment operates without damage and provides economic benefits by extending its lifespan. It is widely used to protect production machines, automation lines, and other sensitive industrial equipment, preventing production interruptions and avoiding major economic losses. Medical devices and other critical health equipment are secured, ensuring that emergency health services continue uninterrupted during and after an earthquake.
Servers, storage units, and communication devices are protected, preventing data loss and supporting operational continuity. Laboratories with sensitive measurement devices benefit from LSI, allowing research to continue without disruption. Additionally, generators and other equipment in power generation facilities can safely operate during an earthquake.
Local seismic isolation has become an indispensable solution for maintaining business continuity and securing critical equipment after an earthquake. With its wide range of uses and advantages, LSI offers businesses the opportunity to prevent economic losses and continue operations sustainably. Supported by innovative solutions, local seismic isolation is a strategic investment for both security and business continuity.
Advantages of Resilient and Sustainable Structures
In the context of business continuity, quickly returning to normal after an earthquake helps reduce economic losses for businesses. The sustainability of critical services, such as social security, contributes to maintaining social stability. Sustainable material and energy use, aimed at reducing environmental impact, helps protect natural resources Resilient, low-maintenance structures provide long-term cost savings, contributing to overall economic efficiency.
Building robust and sustainable structures is essential for preventing business interruptions after an earthquake and ensuring the continuity of social functions. When these structures are combined with advanced technology, engineering solutions, and principles of environmental and economic sustainability, they create long-term, safe living spaces. This integration of resilience and sustainability forms a strong defense mechanism against earthquake risk and supports the development of societies that are more resilient to future disasters.
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