Earthquake Resistance

When discussing an earthquake-resistant structure, it refers to a construction capable of withstanding both conventional static loads and the forces generated during earthquakes. Intuitively, during an earthquake, an earthquake-resistant building should "deform" in ways that are entirely "reversible."

A rigid structure poses the risk of causing severe damage, up to the point of actual collapse. Therefore, the lighter a construction is, the more resistant it is to earthquakes.

Wooden constructions are highly resistant to earthquakes due to the qualities of the material they are made from: ductility, robustness, and elasticity. Unlike houses built from other materials, wooden houses are significantly safer for one main reason:

The force released by an earthquake is equivalent to the force exerted by seismic waves on the masses of buildings—a force proportional to the mass.

For example, concrete has a strength comparable to wood but is four times heavier. For this reason, in seismic risk situations, wood, being a lighter and more ductile material, offers superior earthquake-resistant properties.

Some key features of earthquake-resistant constructions include:

• Walls securely anchored to the foundation
• Lateral resistance in load-bearing walls
• Proper jointing of other structural elements
• Strong exterior columns

Prefabricated wooden houses fully comply with seismic regulations. Fundamentally, the role of the foundation is crucial, as it must allow for the "absorption" of external forces, dispersing them into the ground, as if the construction were built on a "raft."

The material characteristics of the LogHouse or BlockHaus systems guarantee resistance to earthquakes up to a magnitude of 6.1 without any damage. At a magnitude threshold of 7, walls may suffer damage at the contact points with the base (concrete slab), but the house is unlikely to collapse, ensuring the safety of its occupants.

After an earthquake, the damage will generally be less severe than that experienced by a traditional earthquake-resistant house: floors, which are most likely to be affected, can be repaired, and the structure, if damaged, can be disassembled, reassembled, or repaired at the affected points.

Seismic Testing

Earthquake Resistance