[GSBN] earthquake-proof adobe walls

[Derek Roff]

"Earthquake-proof" is a misnomer for the discussion on the earthbag 
list, which was triggered by video on increasing the survival rate of 
people living in adobe houses in earthquake zones.  We are a long way 
from making anything earthquake "proof".  I would argue that the 
science and engineering of more seismically-resistant adobe design 
and construction techniques are in disagreement with many statements 
in that list's recent postings.

I'm unclear why Bruce didn't give a little more guidance on 
researching the subject.  Perhaps there is a subtle clue in his 
message, that I haven't deciphered.  Those interested in Googling on 
this topic might start with the name, "Marcial Blondet."  He is one 
of the professors at the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú who 
has been working on the question of improving earthquake 
survivability for those who live in adobe structures in seismic 
areas, which includes a significant fraction of the world's 
population.  I saw him speak at the 2007 Adobe Conference in El Rito, 
New Mexico, and I think he is a very impressive guy.  I think he and 
Bruce have done some amount of collaboration on earth building 
research and standards.

Marcial and his collaborators are trying to come up with ways of 
building that will save as many lives as possible, in places with 
very low incomes and very limited access to complex materials and 
seismic expertise.  It's very important work.  Their focus is saving 
lives, not saving buildings, although there is an obvious 
relationship between the two.  The difference that I think has been 
misunderstood on the other list, is that the researchers don't expect 
many more houses to be useable after an earthquake.  They just want 
the inhabitants to remain alive.  It's sort of like the airbag in a 
car.  The airbag isn't reusable, and it doesn't protect the car, it 
just protects the occupant.

Most of us are starting/living in different places with different 
circumstances, and that leads to different choices.  Many of us would 
like to find ways that increase the chances for our houses to survive 
somewhat stronger earthquakes, while remaining in usable condition. 
The welded wire mesh used in California for seismic reasons has some 
technical advantages over the plastic mesh that Marcial has suggested 
for mass housing in Peru.  It just costs a bit more.  Cost is a 
paramount issue for his concerns, whereas most of us are ready and 
able to spend a little more for superior performance.

Darcey Donovan's work on increasing earthquake resistance for 
low-budget strawbale buildings in Pakistan and Marcial's work with 
adobe use some similar techniques.

I hope of this answers some of your questions and concerns, Joyce.

Derek


--On Sunday, August 16, 2009 1:13 PM -0700 Bruce King 
<ecobruce at sbcglobal.net> wrote:

>
> There is a gigantic bucket of technical papers and field research
> on  seismically-resistant adobe construction, a great deal of it
> coming  from some wonderful engineers at Catholic University of
> Lima.
>
> A GiGANtic bucket.  Don't ask me where;  just start googling,
> you'll  find most of it.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Bruce King
> (415) 987-7271
> bruce-king.com
>
> On Aug 16, 2009, at 12:41 PM, Joyce Coppinger wrote:
>
>> Have any of you been following a thread on earthbag listserv
>> (Yahoo   groups)
>> about earth-quake proof adobe walls in Peru? If so, do you have any
>> comments, insights to share?
>>
>>
>> Joyce
>> ---------------
>> Joyce Coppinger
>> Managing Editor/Publisher
>> The Last Straw, the international journal
>> of strawbale and natural building
>> PO Box 22706, Lincoln NE 68542-2706
>> 402.483.5135, fax 402.483.5161
>> <thelaststraw at thelaststraw.org>
>> www.thelaststraw.org
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GSBN mailing list
>> GSBN at greenbuilder.com
>> http://greenbuilder.com/mailman/listinfo/GSBN
>
> _______________________________________________
> GSBN mailing list
> GSBN at greenbuilder.com
> http://greenbuilder.com/mailman/listinfo/GSBN



Derek Roff
Language Learning Center
Ortega Hall 129, MSC03-2100
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
505/277-7368, fax 505/277-3885
Internet: derek at unm.edu