Tag #Building Codes

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dw.com

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Sep 4, 16:18

Shallow Earthquake in Afghanistan Causes Significant Damage Despite Moderate Magnitude

A 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck Kunar and Nangarhar provinces in Afghanistan, causing significant damage due to its shallow depth (8km), unstable soil conditions, and substandard building construction.

Shallow Earthquake in Afghanistan Causes Significant Damage Despite Moderate Magnitude

A 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck Kunar and Nangarhar provinces in Afghanistan, causing significant damage due to its shallow depth (8km), unstable soil conditions, and substandard building construction.

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What are the implications for future earthquake preparedness and research in Afghanistan?

The damage highlights an urgent need for improved building codes and construction practices in Afghanistan to withstand earthquakes. Further research, including increased seismic monitoring, is crucial to accurately assess and mitigate future earthquake risks, especially given the limited existing data and ongoing political instability hindering scientific efforts.

dw.com

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Sep 2, 22:21

Shallow Earthquake in Afghanistan Causes Significant Damage

A 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck Kunar and Nangarhar provinces in Afghanistan, causing widespread damage due to its shallow depth, the soil composition, and substandard building construction.

Shallow Earthquake in Afghanistan Causes Significant Damage

A 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck Kunar and Nangarhar provinces in Afghanistan, causing widespread damage due to its shallow depth, the soil composition, and substandard building construction.

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How did the geological characteristics of the region influence the severity of the earthquake's impact?

Afghanistan lies in a complex collision and deformation zone, featuring an ancient part of the Indian plate subducting under the Hindu Kush mountains. The loose soil, composed of sediment and clay layers, experienced liquefaction during the quake, leading to ground failure and building collapse, especially after recent heavy rainfall increased soil moisture.

dw.com

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Apr 24, 19:17

Istanbul Earthquake Heightens Fears of Major Seismic Event

A 6.2 magnitude earthquake hit near Istanbul on April 24, 2025, the strongest in over 25 years, increasing concerns about a larger, future earthquake despite causing no major damage; over one million buildings remain unsafe.

Istanbul Earthquake Heightens Fears of Major Seismic Event

A 6.2 magnitude earthquake hit near Istanbul on April 24, 2025, the strongest in over 25 years, increasing concerns about a larger, future earthquake despite causing no major damage; over one million buildings remain unsafe.

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Sustainable Cities and Communities

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How does Turkey's geological location and tectonic plate activity contribute to its high earthquake risk?

Turkey's location on a highly active seismic zone, where tectonic plates collide, makes it extremely vulnerable to earthquakes. This recent quake, occurring in a historically seismically quiet area, underscores the ongoing risk. The continued movement of these plates builds up tension, eventually resulting in a release of energy, leading to strong earthquakes.

forbes.com

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Mar 3, 16:15

US Housing Crisis: Policy Reforms Needed to Combat Inflation

High housing costs fuel US inflation; reforms like allowing single-staircase apartment buildings and co-living options are underway, but more are needed to increase housing supply and affordability.

US Housing Crisis: Policy Reforms Needed to Combat Inflation

High housing costs fuel US inflation; reforms like allowing single-staircase apartment buildings and co-living options are underway, but more are needed to increase housing supply and affordability.

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Reduced Inequality

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How do restrictive building codes and zoning regulations affect housing supply and affordability in urban areas?

Restrictive building codes, particularly the two-stairway requirement for apartment buildings, limit housing density and increase construction costs. This impacts infill development and underutilizes existing urban land. Conversely, initiatives like PadSplit demonstrate the potential of market-based solutions to increase affordable housing options.

npr.org

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Feb 21, 01:07

FEMA Withdraws from Building Code Updates

The Trump administration ordered FEMA to withdraw from updating building codes, reversing 25 years of contribution to disaster-resistant construction standards. This impacts states and local governments who use FEMA's recommendations, raising concerns about increased future damage costs.

FEMA Withdraws from Building Code Updates

The Trump administration ordered FEMA to withdraw from updating building codes, reversing 25 years of contribution to disaster-resistant construction standards. This impacts states and local governments who use FEMA's recommendations, raising concerns about increased future damage costs.

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What is the immediate impact of FEMA's withdrawal from updating building codes?

The Trump administration has directed FEMA to withdraw from updating building codes, removing its name from already-submitted recommendations. This decision reverses FEMA's 25-year contribution to improving construction standards for disaster resilience, impacting the development of codes used by states and local governments.

cnnespanol.cnn.com

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Jan 15, 19:10

California Wildfire: How Some Homes Survived

Eric Martin's Altadena home survived the Eaton wildfire that destroyed nearly all neighboring structures, raising questions about the factors influencing survival amidst widespread devastation, including fire-resistant construction, landscaping, firefighter intervention, wind patterns, and chance.

California Wildfire: How Some Homes Survived

Eric Martin's Altadena home survived the Eaton wildfire that destroyed nearly all neighboring structures, raising questions about the factors influencing survival amidst widespread devastation, including fire-resistant construction, landscaping, firefighter intervention, wind patterns, and chance.

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What specific factors contributed to the survival of some homes, like Eric Martin's, amidst the widespread destruction caused by the Eaton wildfire?

In the aftermath of the Eaton fire, Eric Martin's Altadena home miraculously survived while nearly all neighboring structures were destroyed. Despite the rapid fire spread and initial belief of total loss, his home remained intact, leaving him astonished and prompting questions about the factors contributing to its survival. This outcome highlights the variability in wildfire damage and the potential influence of various factors.

dw.com

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Sep 2, 16:18

Shallow Earthquake in Afghanistan Causes Devastation Despite Moderate Magnitude

A 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck Kunar and Nangarhar provinces in Afghanistan, causing significant destruction due to its shallow depth (8km), unstable soil conditions, and substandard building practices.

Shallow Earthquake in Afghanistan Causes Devastation Despite Moderate Magnitude

A 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck Kunar and Nangarhar provinces in Afghanistan, causing significant destruction due to its shallow depth (8km), unstable soil conditions, and substandard building practices.

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What are the long-term implications of this earthquake, and what measures are needed to mitigate future risks?

The earthquake highlights the urgent need for comprehensive scientific research in Afghanistan to better understand seismic risks and develop appropriate building codes. The lack of seismic monitoring stations and GNSS measurements hinders accurate risk modeling. Improved building practices and stricter enforcement of building codes are crucial to mitigating future earthquake damage.

t24.com.tr

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Aug 18, 01:16

Ground Acceleration and Soil Type Key Factors in Earthquake Damage

Ground acceleration, measured as multiples of gravity (g), is a key factor in earthquake damage; values above 0.2g cause damage, while above 0.4g significantly increases collapse risk. Soil type is also crucial, with loose soils amplifying ground motion and causing liquefaction.

Ground Acceleration and Soil Type Key Factors in Earthquake Damage

Ground acceleration, measured as multiples of gravity (g), is a key factor in earthquake damage; values above 0.2g cause damage, while above 0.4g significantly increases collapse risk. Soil type is also crucial, with loose soils amplifying ground motion and causing liquefaction.

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How did the ground acceleration values in the 1999 Izmit and 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes compare, and what accounts for the difference in damage observed?

Ground acceleration, the rate of change in ground velocity during an earthquake, is expressed as a multiple of gravity (g). Values above 0.2g can cause damage to vulnerable structures; 0.3-0.4g causes moderate damage to normal buildings and severe damage to substandard ones; above 0.4g, the risk of collapse increases significantly. The 1999 Izmit earthquake had an average acceleration of 0.4g, while the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake reached above 0.5g, exceeding 1g in Hatay.

t24.com.tr

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Apr 2, 16:09

Istanbul Nightclub Fire: 29 Dead, Negligence Charges Filed

A fire at the Masquerade nightclub in Gayrettepe, Istanbul, on an unspecified date, killed 29 people and injured 8, with investigations revealing negligence in permitting and fire safety, leading to criminal charges and a slow-moving trial.

Istanbul Nightclub Fire: 29 Dead, Negligence Charges Filed

A fire at the Masquerade nightclub in Gayrettepe, Istanbul, on an unspecified date, killed 29 people and injured 8, with investigations revealing negligence in permitting and fire safety, leading to criminal charges and a slow-moving trial.

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Decent Work and Economic Growth

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What immediate consequences resulted from the negligence in fire safety regulations at the Masquerade nightclub fire?

Masquerade", a nightclub in Gayrettepe, Istanbul, suffered a devastating fire, resulting in 29 deaths and 8 injuries. Nine suspects face charges of causing multiple deaths through negligence, with potential sentences up to 22.5 years. An investigation revealed negligence by municipal officials in permitting and fire safety protocols.

npr.org

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Feb 22, 19:08

Trump Administration's FEMA Firings and Cuts Raise Disaster Response Concerns

The Trump administration fired over 200 FEMA employees and is scaling back pre-disaster mitigation efforts, raising concerns about the agency's ability to respond to future disasters; the President has suggested eliminating FEMA and shifting responsibility to states.

Trump Administration's FEMA Firings and Cuts Raise Disaster Response Concerns

The Trump administration fired over 200 FEMA employees and is scaling back pre-disaster mitigation efforts, raising concerns about the agency's ability to respond to future disasters; the President has suggested eliminating FEMA and shifting responsibility to states.

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What are the potential long-term consequences of reducing FEMA's capacity and changing its approach to disaster preparedness?

The long-term consequences of these actions could be significant, potentially leading to increased economic losses, slower recovery times, and heightened vulnerability to natural disasters. The shift away from proactive building safety measures undermines FEMA's effectiveness and increases the financial and human cost of future disasters. This could create a cycle of inadequate preparedness and costly recovery.

theglobeandmail.com

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Jan 21, 16:11

Los Angeles Wildfires Highlight Urgent Need for Canadian Climate Adaptation

The devastating Los Angeles wildfires, potentially the most destructive in US history, underscore the urgent need for improved building codes and disaster preparedness in Canada, where climate-related disasters are becoming increasingly frequent and costly, demanding proactive adaptation and strateg...

Los Angeles Wildfires Highlight Urgent Need for Canadian Climate Adaptation

The devastating Los Angeles wildfires, potentially the most destructive in US history, underscore the urgent need for improved building codes and disaster preparedness in Canada, where climate-related disasters are becoming increasingly frequent and costly, demanding proactive adaptation and strateg...

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Climate Action

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How can Canada effectively balance its housing needs with the escalating risks of wildfires and floods, learning from past failures and incorporating best practices?

Canada's experience with increasingly frequent and intense climate disasters, including the costly 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire and widespread flooding, underscores the systemic risk. The 2023 National Adaptation Strategy aims to reduce climate hazard impacts, but lacks measurable progress and faces challenges integrating climate resilience into housing plans. This highlights a critical gap between policy ambition and on-the-ground implementation.

npr.org

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Nov 11, 10:27

North Carolina's Building Codes and Hurricane Helene

Experts blame North Carolina's outdated building codes, influenced by lobbying from the homebuilding industry, for exacerbating the damage caused by Hurricane Helene.

North Carolina's Building Codes and Hurricane Helene

Experts blame North Carolina's outdated building codes, influenced by lobbying from the homebuilding industry, for exacerbating the damage caused by Hurricane Helene.

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Is the issue of outdated building codes unique to North Carolina?

Experts argue that the fight over modernizing building codes is not unique to North Carolina. The National Association of Home Builders is actively working across the country to impede the implementation of safer, more stringent building standards, a trend that poses a widespread risk.

Showing 1 to 12 of 12 results