Engineering in Response to Earthquakes

As defined by Bolt (2002), earthquake is the trembling or shaking of the earth’s surface caused by sudden release of energy. The processes involved in earthquake are associated with faulting and breaking of rocks on the earth’s surface. Earthquakes have caused a lot of havoc to human life and more specifically loss of lives. Statistics carried on various earthquakes phenomenon shows that, over the past three centuries more than three million people have lost their lives as a result of earthquakes and related disasters (Bolt, 2002). Alongside losses of lives, earthquakes are responsible for magnificent economic losses due to the destruction of human and natural structures. Research done by geographers and engineers on earthquakes has identified many human and natural factors which influence the extent of earthquakes. Specifically, the Haiti earthquake in the year 2010 has been a great disaster which drew global attention due to the magnitude of the consequences of the earthquakes. The concept of the role of civil and electrical engineering in response to earthquakes has been hotly discussed following the Haiti 2010 earthquake. This is based on the facts that, civil and electrical engineering had a great significance on the extent of the impacts of the earthquake. This paper will profoundly discuss the concept of earthquakes alongside the aspect of civil and electrical engineering in response to earthquakes (Bolt, 2002).

Research carried by geologists among other professionals in other geographic fields has identified a number of factors responsible for the causes of earthquakes. In this regard, a number of natural and human factors have been identified to have significant influence to the occurrence of earthquakes (Adachi, 2008). To begin with, natural causes of earthquakes include: tectonic movements and volcanic eruption. Volcanic eruptions are very vigorous and are associated with magnificent distortion of the bed rocks. This process causes a lot of faulting and breaking of the bed rocks thus leading to tremors and severe shaking. Research and statistics carried by different geographers has shown that nearly all volcanic eruptions result to earthquakes. Nevertheless, the extent of the impacts of the earthquakes is varied on the magnitude and extent of the volcanic activity (Adachi, 2008).

Tectonic activity has also been identified as key causes of earthquakes. In relation with this phenomenon, the tectonic plates forming the earth surface are in constant movements. The movements and adjustments occurring on the plates are responsible for the creation of faults and breaking of the bed rock thus leading to tremors. Earthquakes caused due to tectonic activity have been identified as the most dominant in many regions of the globe. A point worth of consideration is that, areas bordering the sea are mostly affected by this from of earthquake as compared to areas far from the coastline (Bolt, 2002).

On the other hand, human activities have also been categorized as key factors influencing the occurrence of earthquakes. In relation with this aspect, man made explosions and landslides caused by building work have been reported to cause severe earthquakes in different regions of the globe. Fro instance, deep quarrying and underground mining; whereby explosive are used have led to severe tremors (Codermatz, 2003). In addition, underground trains have also been associated with the different tremors and earth shaking happening in different parts of the globe. In recent days, mechanization and industrialization have led to increased human activities which have led to distortion of the existing balance in the earth’s crust. The construction of big reservoirs has also been associated with tremors and earth shakings happening in different parts of the globe in recent days (Codermatz, 2003).

As outlined by Nunziata (2010), the extent of the impacts of an earthquake is not solely dependent on the magnitude of the earthquake but also on the existing human structures. The damages caused by earthquakes are caused by the resulting processes of an earthquake but not precisely the shaking itself. In this regard, falling of houses, destruction to sewage lines, destruction of communication and transport routs alongside fire explosions which are caused by earthquakes are the real processes which lead to injuries and lose of live (Adachi, 2008). Based on these insights, the works of civil engineering are very influential in determining the extent of an earthquake. The design and appropriateness of the human structures constructed in any region determine the damages which may result from an earthquake. As evident in the Haiti 2010 earthquake, most of the structures were substandard thus influencing the severe consequences witnessed during the calamity. Most of the deaths reported in Haiti were due to the collapsing of the houses and other structures which would not withstand the strength of the earthquake (Adachi, 2008).

With regard to the Haiti 2010 case, the civil engineering works had failed to adequately anticipate for the disaster. Most of the structures were very faulty thus increasing the severity of the damage. Research carried on most of the residential and commercial buildings shows that appropriate guidelines on construction were not followed (Codermatz, 2003). In this case, the building materials are not of the required quality thus leading to establishment of weak and poor structures. For instance most of the houses and other human structures in rural Haiti were very substandard. Semi permanent houses were dominant in the area thus leading to the severe damages reported in the area. The structures in Haiti capital, Port Au Prince did not met the set standards thus influencing severe damages reported during and after the earthquake. A point worth of consideration is that, civil engineering guidelines on the nature of constructing permanent structures had been ignored thus leading to the establishment of weak structures which collapsed during the earthquake (Codermatz, 2003).

The above diagram shows an example of the buildings in Port au prince which collapsed during the earthquake. Based on diagram, it was identified that most of the structures were poorly constructed. Most of the engineering works in establishment of various structures in the town didn’t meet the minimum requirements(Nunziata, 2010). For instance, the foundation and sites of the major structures was not appropriate. From these insights, it is realized that the collapsing of the buildings was due to preventable human failures. The concept of poor construction sites, designs, materials as well as personnel is preventable and ought not to have happened. Additionally, the topographical nature of the construction sites was not put into consideration thus leading to establishment of faulty structures. The topography of Port-au-Prince and its environs is very rugged thus required strong structures. Despite the engineering knowledge on the nature of structures which ought to have been established in the area, it seems civil engineering ignorance was dominant (Nunziata, 2010).

Based on research conducted in Port-Au-Prince after the earth quake, 28% of buildings had collapsed and more than 33% required repairs. It has been observed that, human failures in establishment of strong and appropriate structures were responsible for the damages occurring on these buildings. A point worth of consideration is that, there existed an overwhelming insufficiency of earthquake resistant building design in port-Au-Prince. This is due to failure and ignorance in adhering to civil engineering rules and guidelines in house construction. The concept of poor construction practices was also identified in Haiti thus influencing the extent to which most of the buildings were damaged (Bolt, 2002).

On the other hand, electrical engineering response to earthquake was also not appropriately considered in Haiti. This was scenario was attributed to the severe damages caused by earthquakes on electrical power networks. A point worth of consideration is that, electricity failures or distortion can cause a lot of havoc to human life as witnessed in Haiti. For instance, fire explosions were rampantly reported in many parts of Port-au-Prince alongside other rural areas due to power distortions during the earthquakes (Codermatz, 2003). Research has shown that, a lot of human mistakes in establishment of the electric power networks were responsible to the severe damages caused by electricity during the earthquake. Alongside explosions caused by electric power network distortion, communication and control system damages were also reported in the Haiti. This was a major factor influencing the extent to the damages caused by the earthquake (Codermatz, 2003).