What's the best way to earthquake-proof a room?
I fear I chose a bad desk as my computer is sitting on a little platform with not much surface area, but are there good ways to earthquake-proof a room so that minimal damage can be done?
Besides a computer I have books, musical equipment, and the standard bits and pieces you'd find in a room. I'd just go ahead and tie bungy cords around everything I own, but it kinda kills the vibe.
Also, besides having some extra water around, any other earthquake survival tips?
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M$4 Answers
Attach bookshelves to a stud in the wall with an inexpensive metal L-shaped bracket.
Use museum wax (silly putty, surfboard wax, Velcro) under collectibles to secure to shelves, cabinets, etc.
Attach pictures to the wall with auger-style anchors.
Install plastic child-proof clips on all cabinet doors.
Install heater straps to your hot water heater.
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M$The most effective methods for earthquake proofing a "house" are usually incorporated during the building of the unit the most common forms being
1.base isolation
2.diagonal bracing
3.passive damping.
Of the three however base isolation seems to be the most common method employed in earth quake proofing a house, word of caution though there is no such thing as 100% earthquake proofing, most techniques are meant to minimize damage caused by earthquakes.
Base isolation is described thus,"This involves using a coil or other flexible support and placing it between the structure and the foundation of the building. This system counteracts the motion of the seismic waves. As the earthquake moves the foundation one way, the support moves the other way, and the building stays nearly completely stationary".
So if it's a single unit you might consider base isolation, but if it is a complex i.e full housing unit that did not have such techniques incorporated during it's building the best you can hope for is to minimize the effects of a big one on your person and property, So from a simple physics standpoint you should increase the surface area of the table holding your computer and other valuable electronics, while simultaneously lowering its height ,this will having the combined effect of increasing the stability. Secondly the table should have wheels i.e it should not be static this will allow it to move in tandem with the earthquake vibrations thus minimizing structural damage to the table and it's attendant consequences. You should have water around a fast aid kit and extra amounts of food just in case the "big one comes". I have listed a couple of resources including a 32 page book that talks about Hazard Mapping in the San Francisco Bay Area, including the cities of San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley and Hayward. Check it out and good luck in the event of a big one.
http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earthquake-proof
http://www.bookrags.com/research/earthquake-proofing-techniques-woi/ http://www.abag.ca.gov/abag/overview/pub/abageqk.html http://gtresearchnews.gatech.edu/reshor/rh-sf95/quake.htm http://www.umich.edu/~gs265/society/earthquakes.htm http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/2001-01/978558912.Es.r.html
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M$commonsense.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$