Kalimera everyone! The night was long (sponsor of the long night is here: https://www.emsc-csem.org/Earthquake/earthquake.php?id=1218444 ), and now I’m thinking, how safe for me and my family to live next to the skyscraper? Any engineers among us this morning?
7 comments
Not an engineer but I know that many skyscrapers are safer in earthquakes due to their steel frame that bends instead of breaking. However, skyscrapers have a lot of glass in their exterior that might break and it can rain glass if you are next to them
Yes it is. Next time google for it instead of asking randoms. Watch a documentary on YouTube.
Yes the skyscraper could fall at any moment. You should be very careful walking next to it, try and walk softly and not run or jump.
A skyscraper will shake violently and then explode and the radioactive fallout that will follow will lead to a catastrophic collapse of civilization in the next few years and will cause the entire universe to collapse in on itself.
(Note: Every word I typed after “radioactive” was just me clicking the next predicted word on my phones dictionary)
In theory and according to building regulations, high-rise buildings must be built with certain structural resilience and safety margins. Back in 2018-2020 I briefly had some involvement with planning of such a construction in Cyprus though, and I learned that the regulations are rather laxed and, because this is Cyprus™, an unscrupulous developer can cut some corners to reduce the construction cost. Thus I would hope that they constructed these expensive high-rise buildings to be able to withstand a moderately strong earthquake, but of course there’s no guarantee.
Since 2012 Cyprus engineers design according to the eurocodes. Which means design everywhere in Europe has the same requirements. There are many cases where Cypriot engineers design for European projects including public projects.
Even thought we had earthquakes the damages in the buildings are minor to non existent. You should be concerned not more than if you were in any other European country.
I am an engineer. Not civil though, but I understand a lot about structural mechanics.
Most modern skyscrapers are designed to withstand earthquakes up to 8 Richter or maybe more depending on where they are and the seismic history of the place. You will be safe. Actually, skyscrapers are safer than the average house in Cyprus due to a shitload of regulations and laws around them.
The worst earthquake in Cyprus’ modern history was the 1953 Paphos earthquake and which was 6.5 Richter. 40 people had died, and a least 100 were injured. Paphos got the strongest earthquakes and the tallest building there is just 66m.
So chill, drink a beer and enjoy life.