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Urgent call for structural assessments post earthquake

Building owners in Thailand are being urged by the Structural Engineers Association to investigate and fortify the structural solidity of their properties, in light of impending earthquakes, after the recent shakes from Myanmar that reached Bangkok.

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Building owners in Thailand have been advised by the Thailand Structural Engineers Association...
Building owners in Thailand have been advised by the Thailand Structural Engineers Association (TSEA) to check and fortify the structural strength of their properties, in anticipation of potential earthquakes, after seismic activity originating in Myanmar reached as far as Bangkok.

Urgent call for structural assessments post earthquake

Rewritten Article:

Embracing an informal, straightforward tone, let's chat about the recent tremors in Bangkok and the urge by the Thailand Structural Engineers Association (TSEA) for property owners to beef up their buildings' earthquake resistance.

At a forum dubbed "After the Quake" co-hosted by our beloved Plc and the Communication Arts of Chulalongkorn University, Prof Amorn Pimanmas, TSEA's big honcho, sounded the alarm. The March 28 earthquake, originating along the Sagaing Fault, showed up across Mandalay, Bago, and Yangon, but surprisingly echoed in Bangkok too, over a thousand kilometers away.

"That fault line ain't going nowhere soon," Prof Amorn warned. "We can't predict when the next big one hits - only that it will." He suggested the latest tremors served as a free, unintentional test of Bangkok's structural mettle. Although most buildings stood their ground, the State Audit Office (SAO) building took a nasty fall, a casualty of poor design.

The prof pointed a finger at the SAO's lift shaft walls, a vital structural component that crumbled, leading to a vertical collapse. "It shouldn't be like that. Buildings gotta sway - not fall flat."

Several dozen buildings picked up some structural damage due to the quake, with minor cracks found in hundreds more. Fortunately, demolition isn't the answer, according to Prof Amorn. TSEA recommend engineers to identify weak spots and reinforce them using contemporary materials like carbon fiber, which helps fight cracking and keeps steel reinforcements from bending.

Affordable seismic sensors, costing less than 30,000 baht each, warrant consideration as well. These devices offer real-time data on building stability during an earthquake, which can be vital in making the right moves to ensure safety.

Japanners, being wise in the ways of quakes, have integrated measures such as flexible metal foundations and gel pads that keep things from toppling during an earthquake.

Prof Amorn raised some concerns about the Srisawat Fault, just a mere 200 kilometers from Bangkok, capable of unleashing a whopper of a quake, magnitude 7.5. "We still got time to beef up our buildings, especially the lift shafts, the bones of our skyscrapers."

"Fingers crossed we can fix these issues and prepare our city before the next biggie strikes," Prof Amorn added.

In concurrence with TSEA's recommendations, building designers should consider embracing updated seismic design codes, minimize the effects of amplified seismic forces from Bangkok's soft-soil basin, employ advanced materials and technologies, and cater to the city's earthquake vulnerability zones. Moreover, spreading seismic awareness through educational programs and forums can boost Bangkok's overall preparedness.

Here are some TSEA recommendations to tackle the quake issue head-on:

  1. Structural Inspection and Reinforcement: Owners are encouraged to examine and reinforce their buildings, focusing on crucial structural components like lift shaft walls.
  2. Seismic Design Codes: Buildings should observe updated seismic design codes, ensuring they withstand seismic forces.
  3. Soil Considerations: Designs should account for Bangkok's soft-soil basin, mitigating the amplified effects of seismic forces.
  4. Modern Materials and Technologies: Utilize advanced materials like carbon fiber and employ seismic sensors, dampers, and energy absorption systems.
  5. Zoning and Vulnerability Assessment: Bangkok is divided into zones based on earthquake vulnerability. Designs must consider these zones for optimal seismic resilience.
  6. Community Preparedness: Promote public awareness and preparedness via educational programs and forums.

By heeding these guidelines, Bangkok can better brace itself for future quakes. Stay safe, Bangkokians!

  1. The recent earthquake in Bangkok has highlighted the need for property owners to enhance the earthquake resistance of their buildings, particularly focusing on crucial structural components like lift shaft walls.
  2. To ensure buildings can withstand seismic forces, it's recommended to observe updated seismic design codes and consider employing modern materials like carbon fiber and seismic sensors.
  3. Designs should also account for Bangkok's soft-soil basin, which can amplify the effects of seismic forces, and zoning should be based on earthquake vulnerability for optimal seismic resilience.
  4. Promoting public awareness and preparedness through educational programs and forums can boost Bangkok's overall preparedness for future earthquakes.
  5. In the broader context, the health-and-wellness, education-and-self-development, technology, and business industries should also play a role in enhancing the city's seismic resilience, as well as the general news media in spreading awareness about the issue.

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