2006-12-20 12:59:26 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
wood frame.
There are not many brick buildings in CA for that reason.
2006-12-20 13:07:21 · answer #1 · answered by Harry Merkin 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
. A single story wood frame building will flex in an earthquake without breaking the frame. Walls might crack, because they are covered with inflexible plaster or wall board, but the fram will stand through a fairly strong quake. A wood frame house could probably be repaired after most earthquakes.
. A brick building, even if it is reinforced with steel, will crack in any significant earthquake. If the brick is part of the structure, and not just a facade, the building is very likely to collapse.
. Most "brick buildings" are actually supported by something other than the bricks, like a steel frame or concrete frames. The bricks are just the weather resisting finish, like siding on a wood framed house is.
. A steel framed "brick" building will probably be reparable after a moderate to strong earthquake. A concrete framed building, even if it does not collapse and kill those inside it, is very likely to be damaged beyond repair due to extensive cracking of the concrete, which is very intolerant of being bent.
2006-12-20 13:40:39 · answer #2 · answered by PoppaJ 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A single story wood frame building will withstand an earthquake better than a brick building, because brick does not have any "give' when shaken, but wood frame does. To see this, consider that wood comes from trees. Trees bend in the wind, especially saplings (although many trees can be seen to do this to varying degrees). Brick will not bend. If you hit a tree hard with a hammer, it will shake, but return to its original position. If you hit a brick wall with a hammer, it will crack if you hit it hard enough (the same force will not crack a tree open!).
2006-12-20 15:19:03 · answer #3 · answered by Asking&Receiving 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
assuming it's not a steel-reinforced brick building, then a wood-frame house would withstand an earthquake better
brick buildings are very brittle because the mortar that holds them together cannot deal with the shear forces. wooden houses are more flexible and can withstand stronger shear forces, so they won't crack the way a brick building will
2006-12-20 13:14:52 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
1
2017-01-25 06:03:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
brick is studier. wood has a more probable chance of pushing eachother and cracking causing the structure to fall.
GL
♥
2006-12-20 13:07:15 · answer #6 · answered by KatastropheGirl™ 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋