How construction is working to minimise natural disasters

In a world increasingly affected by natural disasters and extreme weather events, the role of construction in disaster resilience has never been more crucial – and the construction industry is playing a pivotal role in designing, constructing, and maintaining resilient structures that can withstand the onslaught of natural hazards, protecting lives, property, and infrastructure – writes John Ridgeway.

The frequency and intensity of natural disasters are on the rise, driven by climate change and other factors. According to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), over 100 million people are affected by natural disasters annually, causing billions of dollars in damage and loss of life.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the Earth's average temperature is expected to increase by 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2050, leading to more frequent and severe heatwaves, droughts, floods, and wildfires. This projected increase in extreme weather events poses a significant threat to human life, property, and the global economy.

In the face of these challenges, the concept of disaster resilience has emerged as a critical strategy for protecting communities and infrastructure. Disaster resilience refers to the ability of communities, systems, and structures to withstand, adapt to, and recover from natural hazards in a timely and efficient manner.

The construction industry plays a central role in enhancing disaster resilience through the development and implementation of resilient building practices, advanced materials, and innovative design techniques. These efforts focus on minimising the impact of natural disasters on structures and infrastructure, ensuring their ability to withstand extreme events and facilitating a rapid recovery process.

Construction professionals are increasingly turning to advanced materials to enhance the resilience of structures. These materials offer superior strength, flexibility, and durability, making them better equipped to withstand the forces of natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes.

For instance, fibre-reinforced polymers (FRPs) are lightweight, yet incredibly strong materials that can be used to reinforce concrete structures, making them more resistant to cracking and deformation. Similarly, self-healing concrete incorporates microcapsules that release healing agents in response to cracks, effectively repairing minor damage and extending the lifespan of structures.

Beyond material selection, the design of structures is also crucial for enhancing their resilience. Structural engineers and architects employ a range of design techniques to minimise the impact of natural hazards.

Base isolation systems are one such technique, which involves separating a structure from its foundation using shock-absorbing devices. This allows the structure to move independently during an earthquake, reducing the transfer of seismic forces and preventing damage.

Another effective design strategy is the use of redundancy, which involves incorporating multiple load-bearing components into a structure. In the event of damage to one component, the remaining ones can still support the load, ensuring the structural integrity of the building.

Construction practices also play a significant role in enhancing disaster resilience. Proper site preparation, including soil stabilisation and drainage measures, can reduce the risk of landslides and flooding. Moreover, meticulous construction techniques, such as ensuring proper connections and detailing, can prevent structural failures during extreme events.

The construction industry is embracing collaboration and innovation to further enhance disaster resilience. This includes partnerships between government agencies, construction companies, and research institutions to develop and implement cutting-edge technologies and design solutions.

For example, the development of 3D printing technology is opening up new possibilities for rapid construction of disaster-relief shelters and infrastructure. Similarly, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) is enabling real-time monitoring of structures, facilitating early detection of damage and enabling proactive repairs.

The construction industry is also looking more closely at geopolymers, a type of cementitious material that is made from aluminosilicate minerals, such as fly ash and slag. This makes them more sustainable than traditional cement, as these materials are byproducts of industrial processes. Geopolymers are also more resistant to heat, acids, and alkalis, making them ideal for use in structures that are exposed to extreme weather conditions.

Self-compacting concrete, a type of concrete that does not require vibration to flow into place, is also playing its part. This makes it easier to use in difficult-to-reach areas, such as the foundations of buildings or the walls of tunnels. Self-compacting concrete is also more resistant to segregation, which is the separation of the concrete's aggregate and paste. This can help to prevent cracks and other damage in structures that are exposed to earthquakes or other seismic events.

Hybrid timber-concrete structures, made by combining timber and concrete in a single structure, provide the best of both worlds, with the strength and durability of concrete and the sustainability and aesthetics of timber. Hybrid timber-concrete structures are also more resistant to fire and pests than traditional timber structures.

We are seeing a greater use of erosion control materials, used to prevent soil from being washed away by water. This is important in areas that are prone to flooding or landslides. Biodegradable building materials, made from renewable materials, such as wood and bamboo, are also helping to reduce the environmental impact of construction.

BIM, a software tool that is used to create a digital model of a building, is being increasingly used to plan, design, and construct buildings and is also be used to monitor a building's performance over time. BIM is helping to reduce the risk of errors and omissions in construction by improving the efficiency of the construction process.

Real-time monitoring of structures is being used to detect damage to buildings and infrastructure. This can help to prevent further damage and to ensure the safety of occupants following a disaster situation.

This is further supported by predictive maintenance, which uses data and analytics to work out when a piece of equipment or infrastructure is likely to fail. This allows for preventive maintenance to be scheduled, which can help to reduce the likelihood of breakdowns and failures.

So we can see that the construction industry is playing a critical role in building disaster-resilient communities and infrastructure. By employing advanced materials, resilient design techniques, and innovative construction practices, the industry is helping to minimise the impact of natural disasters, protect lives and property and contribute to a safer future.

As the frequency and intensity of natural disasters continue to rise, the importance of disaster resilience will only grow. The construction industry is at the forefront of this critical challenge, and its continued innovation and collaboration will be essential in building a more resilient world.