Why is the 34 -storey building in Bangkok collapse in the earthquake of Myanmar?

The strong 7.7 -degree earthquake occurred in Myanmar on March 28, destroyed many roads, damaged many works and killed more than 1,600 people. Myanmar is an area with high earthquake, while neighboring Thailand is not such a great risk.

However, Thailand was also affected by an earthquake on March 28. Bangkok, although more than 1,000 km from the concussion, still has a high -rise building under construction by an earthquake. Why can this earthquake have a strong impact in such a distance?

There was a large fracture called Sagaing cut through Myanmar from North to South and longer than 1,200 km. The initial data showed that the movement caused a 7.7 -degree earthquake to be “sliding horizontally” – when the two blocks slide across each other horizontally.

This is consistent with the typical motion of the Sagaing fracture. When the blocks move over to each other, they may be stuck, creating friction until suddenly released and soil moving, causing earthquakes.

The earthquake can occur at a depth of up to 700 km below the surface. The earthquake in Myanmar is only 10 km deep, which is very shallow, increasing the level of vibration in the surface. The earthquake is also very strong, reaching 7.7 degrees according to the torque. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), it creates more energy than the atomic bomb dropped to Hiroshima.

The scale of the earthquake is due to the type of fault, according to Dr. Rebecca Bell, an assist at the University of London. “The straightness of the broken line means that the earthquake can take place on a large area – and the greater the area of ​​the sliding fault, the greater the earthquake.

The straight line is also synonymous, a large amount of energy can be transmitted along its length, running 1,200 km to the south, towards Thailand.

How the earthquake is felt on the surface also depends on the type of soil. In Bangkok’s soft ground, the seismic waves (the vibration of the earth) slowed down and accumulated, becoming bigger. Thus, Bangkok’s geology will make the ground more fierce.

There are many impressive videos about high -rise buildings in Bangkok shaking in the earthquake and water from the swimming pool on the rooftop, but the 34 -storey auditor’s office building is under construction in Bang Bang Sue district seems to be the only skyscraper collapse.

According to Dr. Christian Mapian Malaga-Chuquitaype, senior lecturer on earthquake engineering at the University of London, before 2009, Bangkok has no comprehensive safety standards for construction of earthquake-resistant works, meaning old buildings will be very vulnerable. This is not unusual because the construction of anti -earthquake works is more expensive and Thailand, unlike Myanmar, there is no earthquake often.

Emily So, a professor of architectural engineering at the University of Cambridge, note that one can still reinforce old buildings, such as in California, western Canada and New Zealand. According to Professor Amorn Pimarnmas, president of the Ma -Structure Engineer Association, although 43 provinces have provided for earthquake anti -earthquake works, estimated less than 10% of this capable building.

However, the building collapsed very new, even in the process of construction when the earthquake occurs, and the latest construction standards will be applied.

Pimarnmas said that Bangkok’s soft ground may be a cause of collapse because it can amplify the earthquake 3 or 4 times. “However, there are still other assumptions such as material quality (concrete and reinforced) and some abnormalities in the structural system. These things still need to be investigated in detail,” he added.

After studying the video, Malaga -Chuquitaype said that it seems that the process of building “mushroom floor” has been applied – this process is no longer recommended in areas that are prone to earthquakes.

“The mushroom floor system is the method of building the building in which the floor is placed directly on the columns without using the beams. Imagine a table that only supports with the table leg, there is no more horizontal support below. This design has the advantage of cost and architecture, but is inefficient in earthquake, often collapsed the fracture and sudden (almost exploded),” he explained.