Disaster Epidemiology Lessons From Bam

Earthquake Dec 26, 2003 Iran

Part 6: Buildings structure and death in Bam earthquake

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Ali Ardalan MD, MPH, PhD student in Epidemiology

Learning objectives:

To learn about the main structure of buildings in Bam

To understand the importance of supervision on considering the

seismic code

To understand the association of buildings structure and death in

Bam earthquake 2

4%

22%

75%

8%

42%

50%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Old style Modern style

None / Damaged but not collapsed

Partial collapse

Total collapse

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Collapse state of houses based on a cross-sectional study on 19th and 20th days

of post-disaster period in Bam

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Total collapse of a clay and mud brick building in Bam

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Resistance of the curved roof in an old-style building in Bam

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Other examples of curved roofs resistance in the old-style buildings in Bam

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Other examples of curved roofs resistance in the old-style buildings in Bam

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A collapsed old-style building in Bam: Mud bricks bearing walls, with steel roof

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A collapsed modern-style building with lack of adequate lateral resistance

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Comparing resistance of buildings with and without bracing in Bam

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Collapse of the attic on to a house entrance in Bam

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Appropriate bracing on two sides of “Kimia building” in Bam

& formation of soft ground

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Two buildings opposite each other in one street in Bam

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Non-damaged steel framed buildings with bracing in Bam

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Non-damaged Central mosque of Bam

Death and injuries in direct relation to Bam earthquake based on a

cross-sectional study

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Death: 18%

Injuries: 48%

Hospitalization of injured: 32 %

Hospitalization of total: 13 %

The most important determinant variable of direct related death to Bam earthquake,

based on a cross-sectional study

Building collapse status

(Total / Partial-

None)

OR = 5.15

(CI 95%: 3.85-6.88 )

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Conclusion:

Because structural collapse is

the single greatest risk factor,

priority should be given to

seismic safety in land-use

planning and in the design and

construction of safer buildings.

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