Annex 7 : The signs of danger in disaster-damaged buildings

After an earthquake or any other happening that damages houses, the inhabitants:

... feel insecure and anxious because of the danger, the cracks, doors that will no longer shut, etc.

... suddenly rediscover signs of damage, even those that existed before,

... always have the feeling that the dam- age, the cracks and the subsidences are getting worse day after day.

It is essential to be ready to reply to such questions as:

Is there a risk of my house collapsing?

What if there is another earthquake shock ?

What can be done to strengthen the house?

How buildings behave in a disaster

NB: almost always an earthquake has several linked effect-c so that a mixture of different types of damage and cracks is found.

Floods reduce the cohesion of soils; there is therefore a risk that foundations may collapse.

Figure

Cyclones cause damage above all to roofs and windows and sometimes also to load-bearing elements that are not sufficiently rigid.

Figure

Landslides cause the subsidence of foundations or smash down outer walls; this damage is similar to that caused by floods or cyclones.

Whatever the cause of the damage, it is essential to be able to recognize dangerous situations:
—cracks that weaken load-bearing structural elements,

Figure

Figure

—cracks that show that load-bearing elements have been broken.

Figure

Figure

Other sorts of crack, even though they may seem important, are not dangerous.

Figure

Figure

What can be done right now to avoid the damage increasing and enable people to live in safety ?

Figure

Figure