Knauf Seismic Design

Earthquakes can cause huge economic
losses. Primarily, however, they also cause
personal distress with deaths, injuries, the
loss of living space, and the devastation of
living conditions.
Knauf Seismic Design
Earthquake Safety
with Knauf Systems
Most of these losses are set off by buildings
that are unable to resist earthquake
loads.
In order to avoid, or at least reduce these
damages there are three basic principles
related to both cost-effective construction
as well as the earthquake safety of
buildings [1]:
Figure 1: Earthquake-damaged building
1.) In the event of slightly severe earthquakes,
buildings must be able to survive
without damage.
2.) In the event of moderately severe
earthquakes, the damage to the buildings
must be negligible.
3.) In the event of severe earthquakes,
the buildings must be prevented from
collapsing.
Above all, the protection of human life
must be assured by ensuring the options of
survival, escape and rescue in the event of
earthquakes of any severity.
Figure 2: “Soft story effect”
The appropriate literature [2], [3] and
National Standards (DIN 4149, Eurocode
8 - ENV 1998-1 etc.; see pg. 19) provide
constructional guidelines for the technical
implementation of these basic principles.
Going by these mentioned technical guidelines,
Knauf Systems present several clear
advantages as compared with solid concrete
and masonry constructions.
2
Figure 3: Collapsed “soft story”