Earthquake-Resistant Building Techniques—Morocco

by Ing. Yassin Elouardi Sr. Structural Engineer, Miyamoto International Morocco and Ayoub BELLOUCH Program Manager, Miyamoto International Morocco

The tragedy in Morocco's Atlas Mountains, where over 2,900 lives were lost, underscores the critical importance of earthquake-resistant building techniques. By understanding and implementing time-tested principles, we can save lives and preserve cultural heritage for future generations.

This illustration highlights the critical elements of a seismically resilient traditional building:??

• Integral Roof: A unified roof structure effectively dissipates earthquake forces, minimizing stress on the walls.??
• Roof-Wall Connection: Secure attachments between the roof and walls ensure cohesive movement during seismic events. These connections prevent separation, reducing the risk of structural failure and localized collapses, which often result from inadequate roof connections.??
• Limited Wall Openings: Smaller openings increase the seismic-resistance of walls by enhancing overall structural integrity during earthquakes.??
• Lintel Band: Reinforced lintels above wall openings prevent cracks from propagating. By distributing seismic forces, they reinforce structural continuity across vulnerable sections of the wall.??
• Wall-Foundation Connection: A robust link between walls and the foundation is crucial for stability. This connection ensures seismic and static forces are effectively transferred to the ground without compromising the structure.??
• Stiff Foundation: A rigid base plays a key role in reducing deformation, effectively transferring ground movements to the structure, and ensuring uniform stress distribution across the building.??
• Reinforced Corners: Strong connections at wall corners prevent angular displacement and maintain the building's structural integrity, ensuring the walls act as a unified system.?

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Together, these features create a "box-like" structural behavior, significantly enhancing the building's resistance to seismic forces. By integrating these construction principles, traditional structures can better withstand earthquakes, safeguarding both their inhabitants and the cultural heritage they represent.?

Miyamoto International is a leading global authority in the field of disaster and post-conflict reconstruction for both infrastructure and communities. With a track record of responding to more than 100 global disasters, we specialize in crafting recovery strategies that benefit the public and private sectors as well as local communities, bridging the gap between local and global knowledge.