Rbc question

[carribbeangrl01]

Was just wondering with all this rockin and rolling here in SoCal if with the new halls if they have added structural support in areas prone to disaster? Just wondering

[maladee]

they keep up with the rules and regs in each location, some are more strict that others ,they do not add anything extra ordinary if that is what you are asking ,everything is up to code ,so it can withstand a shaker.

[Qapla]

they keep up with the rules and regs in each location, some are more strict that others ,they do not add anything extra ordinary if that is what you are asking ,everything is up to code ,so it can withstand a shaker.

 

This applies to structural as well as non-structural. One Hall not far from hear has way more "gingerbread" on the exterior of their Hall then is normal. However, it is located in a very "well-to-do" area and the fancy exterior facade was required for the Hall to be built there.

 

As far as structural goes, here in Florida we do not have to build for quakes. However, we MUST build for wind - there are hurricane requirements we have to adhere to that are not required in some of the other areas of the country.

[Mybrick]

I'm on a design team and you can rest assured that much study has been done over the years concerning building safety and what needs to be built into the structure so it can withstand both wind and earthquake forces.

In regard to building in an earthquake zone the ground is looked at to determine if it has a liquefaction issue. This just means when it's shook up will the ground stay in place or will it start moving like water like that hill side did recently in Oregan. Then they determine what strength of foundation must be used to with stand these ground forces and will use steel and concrete to make sure everything will stay together. Earthquakes are very powerful and no structure is quake proof but foundations are designed to take a lickin like the Timex watch. Then the structure is tied to this foundation with more steel bolts and tie downs to make sure it won't come apart from the foundation and the structure is tied to itself with more steel straps to ensure it itself won't fall apart when shook so relatively speaking it's as safe as we can make it.

The concept to run underneath a door header has been found to be not safe. The best thing in a sever quake is to get outside. But if you can't do this then try to be beside something like a door which has strong timbers that when they collapse will priovide a safety hollow next to them where you can be found alive. Just not under them where you can be crushed when these members fall.

Our state of California is constantly improving building requirements so that all structures can be built as safe as possible. We as a design team also are very interested in safety because Jehovah demands we take care of his congregation.

Edited April 7, 2014 by Mybrick