Earthquake Effects
Buildings are often damaged during
earthquakes, particularly if they are constructed with brick , mud or timber.Crackes in the walls, falling of plaster or total collapse of the buildings is witnessed. Projecting cornices, balconies, towers and arcades render the building more vulnerable.
A great earthquake often leaves visible marks in the topography in the form of upheavals (rising of the ground surface) and
subsidence (sinking of the ground surface). Big rocks on steep hill slopes are often loosened by a large earthquake causing landslides. New springs may emerge or old springs may get closed. Some earthquake cause cracking or fissures on the surface of ground.
Liquefaction is a phenomenon in which the strength and stiffness of a soil is reduced by earthquake shaking or other rapid loading. Liquefaction occurs in saturated soils, that is, soils in which the space between individual particles is completely filled with
water. This water exerts a pressure on the soil particles forcing them to move . When liquefaction occurs, the strength of the soil decreases and, the ability of a soil deposit to support foundations for buildings and bridges is reduced.
It includes railways, roadways, bridges, pipelines etc.Damage to superstructures, substructures and approach portions of the bridges is caused as a result of an earthquake. Deformation
and cracking of tunnel linings is caused by displacement and settlement of debries due to ground shaking. Changes in the alignment of tracks have a severe effect on railway transportation. Damage is caused to the pipe systems in which there may be disconnection of joints, breaking of valves and buckling of pipes. . Roads are often blocked due to falling debris .