Technology, ancient and modern, can help buildings survive quakes

About that Taiwanese building, this morning I heard the building wasn't build up to standard and they were talking about having found metal cans inside the walls? I couldn't catch the whole item but anyone have more information about if it was a way to cut costs or real architectural decision.

i am guessing that the construction company did it as a way to save on the amount of concrete they would have had to use.

I stay at Sepia Tower (40 stories) when I am in Tokyo. It has a very similar system. Instead of one central Pagoda pillar, the Sepia Tower has four Pagoda pillars. It has all three methods employed in its structure. I was actually on the 36 floor when 11/3 struck. I got myself secured in a alcove just after noticing other buildings swaying and I got toss around severely and it felt like in serval direction at once. I put this down to the reaction of the four pillars counter-action. But what I really noticed during this was the sounds of structural steel screaming of stress. I will never forget that sound!!! Because of this experience I often wonder of the fatigue these structures absorbed. No damage like smashed windows or ceiling dauber in my room or the foyer but over the years I notice that the outer window seals leak now which they did not beforehand.

In that Taiwan building, not only have they found empty oil cans filling up the center of the columns, they have found huge chunks of styrofoam. Definitely not for reinforcement, and definitely a murderous act. Someone needs to be convicted.

Not just the developer but whoever signed the building off at the local authority needs to be investigated. It's frightening to think how many buildings here have been signed off with a bung in the back pocket.

Technology, ancient and modern, can help buildings survive quakes

But if contractors pay off building inspectors to accept shoddy work, building residents remain at serious risk, especially in ring of fire nations.

Taiwan building:

-first contractor went bankrupt, a second contractor (now arrested) built it. -in 1999 Taiwan those cooking oil (tin) cans and styrofoam as filler were legit construction methods. After 1999 they were not.

When the SHTF you want to head to the temple -the older and bigger the better.

Well, at least it is in Taiwan that at least those responsible will be arrested and put on trial. If it is in China, you bet that they will arrest anyone who reports this, the families of the victims will be silenced and those responsible will stillbe running wild and free.

Does not Japan still have an issue with a Rubber company cheating on those rubber earthquake devices...and of condos with the steel pillars not going as deep as they were suppose to?

Another big one here will weed out the cheaters and unfortunately take lives with them.