by Yvonne Durowaa Ntow, Daniel Johnson, Joseph Cobbinah
The Turkey-Syria Earthquake of February 2023 will be remembered as one of the most catastrophic events in the region’s history, having caused immense damage to infrastructure and loss of lives. Measuring a massive 7.8 in magnitude, the earthquake was closely followed by another tremor of 7.5, leaving nearly 10 million people struggling to cope with the widespread destruction. This disaster has underscored the urgency for incorporating resilience strategies in communities located within seismically active regions. It is integral to invest time, effort, and resources in the development and implementation of seismically safe measures with the capacity to withstand such natural disasters. One such potent solution is the adaptation of pile foundations for engineered structures situated in earthquake-prone zones. In this article, we will discuss the significance of fostering resilient communities in seismically active regions and examine the advantages of utilizing pile foundations in the design and construction of earthquake-resistant buildings and infrastructure.
Resilient communities are better equipped to cope with the aftermath of earthquakes and recover from them swiftly. To minimize post-disaster losses and ensure a rapid and efficient earthquake recovery in regions prone to earthquake, effort, time, and resources need to be invested in developing and implementing strategies to build resilient communities. Building seismically resilient structures are essential to safeguard the lives of people since buildings that are not resilient to earthquakes can collapse, causing serious injuries and fatalities. Damage to critical infrastructure, such as hospitals and water supply systems among others can also be minimized, ensuring that vital services remain functional during and after an earthquake. Additionally, constructing seismically resilient structures can help reduce the recovery cost by minimizing the damage caused during the earthquake.
In earthquake-prone areas, it is necessary to ensure the dependability of buildings, structures, and their foundations through resilient building practices. While no structure can be entirely impervious to earthquake damage, a degree of seismic resilience can be achieved through the proper design of a foundation. This requires a thorough understanding of the behaviour of soil, response of the structure, and interaction of soil-structure under earthquake loading. The goal of earthquake engineering is to erect structures that fare better during seismic activity than their conventional counterparts.
Building resilient communities through the adaptation of pile foundations for engineered structures in areas prone to earthquakes is a step in the right direction. During an earthquake, the ground can shake violently, causing soil liquefaction. When this happens, structures founded on shallow foundations may suffer damage or collapse. However, pile foundations can offer better resistance to soil liquefaction during earthquakes. By extending deep into the ground, pile foundations can penetrate through the liquefiable soil and reach deeper and more stable soil layers, providing better support. The stiffness and strength of pile foundations can help to reduce the settlement and movement of the foundation during an earthquake.
Additionally, pile foundations can be designed and installed to resist the horizontal loads typically experienced during an earthquake. For example, pile foundations can be installed at angles, providing resistance to lateral movements caused by seismic activity. While shallow foundations can be suitable for some structures in areas where there is no risk of earthquakes, pile foundations are generally more useful and recommended for engineered structures in areas
prone to earthquakes due to their superior resistance to soil liquefaction and horizontal loads. Moreover, it is recommended the design of the pile foundations should be carried out by engineers with high expertise considering the specific soil and seismic conditions of the area.
Notwithstanding the fact that the occurrence of earthquakes is beyond our control, their effects on people and infrastructure can be predicted and minimized through the application of earthquake engineering and quake-resistant building techniques such as utilizing pile foundations in the design and construction of structures. While fully earthquake-proof structures are unachievable, seismic resilience is attainable to reduce the damage they cause.
