Guidelines for initial shoring or securing of damaged buildings following earthquake

Technical Abstract

When an earthquake occurs at or near a town or city, damage to residential and commercial buildings may result.  At the lower end of the scale, damage will be limited to simple cracking and perhaps dislodgement of contents and there is little call for significant building repair.  There is a point however when damage reaches a level that safety of personnel is affected.  Emergency services are called into play to assess the extent of damage to buildings and other structures and there is a need for evaluation, protection and repairs before buildings can be cleared for occupation.

This document outlines temporary stabilisation measures to maintain an acceptable level of interim public and private safety whilst minimising the risk of further loss to the property owner and associated business interruption to others.

To date there has been little guidance on this subject for engineers and post-disaster personnel by way of written reference material, even internationally.  Material in this document is drawn principally from the general earthquake design background of the writer and in particular his experience following the 1989 Newcastle earthquake, along with input from the Chairman, SEAONC’s Disaster Emergency Services Committee.

Cross reference is also made to the Ministry of Civil Defence publication “Procedures for Post Earthquake Safety Evaluation of Buildings”, as this will form the basis of activities immediately following a major earthquake.