Is Singapore quake-proof?
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Personally, I think much has been taken for granted on the assumption that Singapore, is permanently safe from earthquakes.
Read the following article from Today, what are your opinions?
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Is Singapore quake-proof?
By Lin Yanqin, TODAY
SINGAPORE: Could Singapore ever feel more than tremors during an earthquake? Can our buildings withstand powerful shudders, keeping in mind the island's extensively reclaimed land?
These are questions Harvard earthquake expert Professor James Rice and Associate Professor Lee Fook Hou from the National University of Singapore's (NUS) Civil Engineering Department think Singapore should mull over.
Assoc Prof Lee — who has conducted research on the effects of seismic activity on local buildings — posed the question: "Are we doing enough?"
"There isn't enough data Â… we are not sure which buildings may collapse and which won't," he said.
Proposing that an agency or an institute be set up to conduct research on earth science, Assoc Prof Lee called for more support from the Government in sustained research in the field. "We need to know where we stand," he said.
While some research on earthquakes has been done by the Civil Engineering Department at NUS, these were mostly one-off projects.
In the past, tremors have been felt whenever an earthquake occurred in nearby Sumatra, the most recent being in March last year, which measured 8.7 on the Richter scale.
Speaking to reporters about his studies of the Great Sumatran Fault before his public lecture at NUS today, Prof Rice warned that an earthquake in the same region, measuring slightly higher at 9 on the Richter scale, could double the effects felt in Singapore.
Add to the fact that clay soil significantly magnifies the amplitude of each seismic wave, it is possible that Singaporeans could feel more than a mild tremor if a large earthquake hits.
"Singapore stands on extensive soft marine clays and sands. You have massive cargo ports and harbours on reclaimed land," Prof Rice said.
"I think you should put in place a set of studies to realistically assess the plausible size of earthquakes and the detailed response of structures in Singapore."
As Singapore's history does not go back long enough to document earthquakes which may have occurred centuries ago, it should not think it is immune to the threat of a major earthquake off Sumatra's western coast, Prof Rice said.
He likened Singapore to Mexico City, which was devastated by an earthquake in 1985 because it was built on the bed of an old lake. Prof Rice added that scientists in the United States learned that Los Angeles was built on "terribly treacherous ground" only in the 1970s as the faults under the city had been inactive after a big earthquake on the San Andreas fault in 1857.
"It's just what happens when you build cities fast — you don't get a good picture of the seismic environment that you live in," said Prof Rice.
Prof Lee and Prof Rice also hoped to organise a gathering of scientists from all over the world to discuss seismic activities and its consequences — which would be the first of its kind here — early next year. - TODAY -
Well, we have to wait for it to happen before we can do anything. All these are just theories. Theories and realities don't always match.
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Basically, i'm studying Architecture in Singapore. I personally don't feel that the buildings in Singapore can withstand the vibration given off by this quakes. It's just different from the buildings for Japan, whereby they actually design the buildings in a way such that it can withstand the vibration. But in singapore, they don't do that. Even a construction site near a HDB block can caused the blocks to have cracks appearing all over it, not to even mention quakes.
It bound to collapse..But the chances of Singapore getting earthquakes are very little. All they'll get is the vibration produced by earthquakes happening to neighbouring countries. -
Welcome to the real world.
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somemore we're going into pre-fab in a big way.....
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1 scale 9 earthquake in singapore will shake almost all buildings in singapore to collapsed...
If it really happened singapore like be gone...
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i think now gahmen also wan to simulate what happen if buildings collapse, then we have another exercise again...
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As you said, trembles only from other neighbouring countries' earthquake.Originally posted by kendoboi:Basically, i'm studying Architecture in Singapore. I personally don't feel that the buildings in Singapore can withstand the vibration given off by this quakes. It's just different from the buildings for Japan, whereby they actually design the buildings in a way such that it can withstand the vibration. But in singapore, they don't do that. Even a construction site near a HDB block can caused the blocks to have cracks appearing all over it, not to even mention quakes.
It bound to collapse..But the chances of Singapore getting earthquakes are very little. All they'll get is the vibration produced by earthquakes happening to neighbouring countries.
Our buildings are just build to withstand trembles, not an earthquake. -
I don't think Singapore is quake proof.
From my experience a few years back, the higher u live, the more tremors u will feel
I hope HDB can start planning for quake-proof houses
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when the time is ripe you will go.
why worry? -
Since when is Singapore quake-proof? Houses in Singapore are never meant to be quake-proof anyway. They are built to withstand the trembles from neighbouring countries' earthquakes.Originally posted by SnowFlag:I don't think Singapore is quake proof.
From my experience a few years back, the higher u live, the more tremors u will feel
I hope HDB can start planning for quake-proof houses -
Maybe slightly bomb proof
One architect in Japan was charged no long ago for fraud for certifying quake resistance. So, even in Japan buildings are not Quake-proof, just resistence.
Anyway, buildings in S'pore are build sturdy, with pilings foundation. Depending on the ritcher scale. I don't think most will total collapse but heavily damage.. cracks, spaldings, certain roof collapsing. Especially with prefab walls, but structurelly safe- repairable. You see the strong 7.5 quakes in ME. those buildings are badly built, but only afew collapse and most received partial damage... and I'm refering to those mud-brick houses.
With scale 9 scenario, which tall building in the world do you think can withstand it ? -
whats most impt to ppl during a quake is their cars,parked in carparks
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Heng ah, mine is an open car park. I still remember during the 9/11 WTC plane hit. Many people were trying to get their cars out of the carpark causing a jam. With such EXpensive possession in Sinagpore - I can't agree more.Originally posted by ceecookie:whats most impt to ppl during a quake is their cars,parked in carparks -
i only can say
too long
do not want to see
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sg is not quake proof. its that they are not near any plate boundaries
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Somone suggest :
One architect in Japan was charged no long ago for fraud for certifying quake resistance. So, even in Japan buildings are not Quake-proof, just resistence.
So we are waiting for the test to come?
How do we do it ?
Probably it will be not so bad if a Richter Scale of 91/2 came..to visit S'pore then what?
Lots of brave Singaporeans will choose to jump? or just get squashed beneath the rubble?
What will you do? -
got such thing as quake proof meh?
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..quote from above..
got such thing as quake proof ?
I go to see it in wikipedia, there is none smart enough to suggest it..
Maybe you can find it under Sgwiki < just goto see prepare to meet your future destiny..>
http://www.sgwiki.com/wiki/Heaven -
Originally posted by norey:
WTF, never read my post correctly... when did I suggest anything ? Common sense mah.... If you live on the 15+ stories up and a richter 9.5 quake come then you must x 15 for effect... mah, concrete so strong ah, so all the building in singapore should not be higher than 10 storey ..la.
Somone suggest :
One architect in Japan was charged no long ago for fraud for certifying quake resistance. So, even in Japan buildings are not Quake-proof, just [b]resistence.
So we are waiting for the test to come?
How do we do it ?
Probably it will be not so bad if a Richter Scale of 91/2 came..to visit S'pore then what? Lots of brave Singaporeans will choose to jump? or just get squashed beneath the rubble?
What will you do?
[/b]
Some more singapore has no strong earthquake before, why built string damper foundation for wat... HDB flat no expensive enough meh !
Somemore must maintain the string and damper ! -
I believe no. But to boast Singaporeans and investors confidence, must say yes mah.
So next time pls say yes lar. -
u can add giant shock absorbers under the biulding to be quake proof and budget wise
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sg will nt do anything until something disasterous happens...
its awaes like dis...sg nvr bliffs in er wats dat statement...if it ain't spoil dun fix it...
or sumthing like dat... -
Yea, i agree totally..Originally posted by ndmmxiaomayi:As you said, trembles only from other neighbouring countries' earthquake.
Our buildings are just build to withstand trembles, not an earthquake. -
nt 100% i tink...