Building a Resilient Infrastructure to Withstand Extreme Weather and Natural Disasters

Earthquakes, tropical storms, tornadoes, tsunamis, heat, and cold waves. Although these natural disasters and extreme weather events are nothing new, with the rapid rate of climate change, the rate and intensity of these disasters have increased. Hence we need to build shelters and infrastructure that can withstand these disasters. This blog will explore how engineers employ the latest technology and techniques to build future buildings and infrastructure against mother nature’s wrath.

 

 

A natural disaster is any event that occurs naturally and causes slight or significant harm to a community or ecosystem. The following is a list of the most common natural disasters.

• Earthquakes
• Volcanoes
• Landslides
• Famines
• Droughts
• Hurricanes
• Tornados
• Cyclones
• Tsunamis  

What are Extreme Weather Events?  

Extreme weather events are unusual, unexpected weather changes. They are mostly severe unseasonal weather changes. The following is a list of the most common extreme weather events.

• Heat waves
• Cold snaps
• Heavy rainfall
• Heavy snowfall
• Ice storms 
• Hail storms

What Causes Extreme Weather and Natural Disasters?

Climate Change

As the global temperatures rise, the atmosphere holds more moisture, resulting in extreme weather events, such as,

• Floods
• Droughts
• Hurricanes

Climate change can cause rising sea levels, leading to, 

• Coastal flooding 
• Soil erosion

Natural Cycles

Natural cycles like El Nino and La Nina can also contribute to extreme weather, natural disasters, and weather phenomena. These can result from variations in factors such as 

• Ocean temperature
• Air pressure
• Wind patterns

Human Activities

The impact of us humans on the physical environments around us is plentiful through activities such as, 

• Overpopulation
• Pollution
• Deforestation 
• Deforestation, for instance, can result in soil erosion, which might result in floods.

Fossil Fuels

Burning fossil fuels can increase air pollution, leading to extreme heat and smog.

 

Here are a few concepts for building a resilient infrastructure to withstand weather events and natural disasters.

Building Resilience to Heat Waves

According to studies, 1.6 billion people in more than 970 cities will routinely experience extremely high temperatures by 2050. Urban residents are at high risk because of this and the "urban heat island effect," which makes towns warmer than the nearby countryside. But nature also offers potent remedies. Providing shade and releasing water through their leaves, trees, and other plants cool the area around them, helping communities establish urban forests and green spaces to lessen heat waves in metropolitan areas.

Additionally, structural layouts can aid in lowering indoor temperatures. The ventilation in traditional Vietnamese housing is improved by features like big openings, high-rise rooms, and ideal building orientation. Trombe walls are massive, weighty constructions made of concrete, stone, or other heavy materials used in China, Chile, and Egypt to retain solar heat. Reflective surfaces and green roofs can lower temperatures inside and around structures.

Building Resilience to Cold

Capturing heat and reducing heat loss is necessary for adaptation to cold and temperate regions. Insulation in the ceiling, walls, and double-glazed windows reduces heat loss, resulting in more energy-efficient structures.

Trombe walls can diffuse heat at night in colder climates by absorbing heat during the day. Water can create "water walls," heat-storing structures made of water drums rather than masonry. Additionally, buildings should be positioned to receive as much sunlight as possible, and exterior wall surfaces should be painted dark. It has been demonstrated that green roofs, which encourage plant development on rooftops, can provide insulation and lower the energy needed for heating and cooling during the summer and winter, respectively.

Building Resilience to Cyclones and Storms

With climate change, cyclones and storms are predicted to occur more frequently and be greater. They can negatively affect buildings, including blowing off rooftops and causing structural and foundational damage. Communities can construct houses in a circular form and think about the best aerodynamic orientation to lessen the force of the winds to mitigate this harm.

Another significant factor is the design of the roof. The foundation and roof must have solid connections for a home to be wind-resistant. Multiple-sloped roofs can withstand strong winds, and by drawing air in from the outside, center shafts can lessen wind pressure and force on the roof. To avoid further structural damage to the home's vital components, roofs that cover balconies or patios can also be made to collapse in the event of strong winds. This strategy is known as frangible design or "planning for damage."

Building Resilience to Drought

Worldwide trends of precipitation are being impacted by climate change. To store water during a drought and lessen the danger of flooding during heavy rains, rainwater harvesting and recharge devices that collect water from building roofs are frequently used. During dry spells, the gathered water can be kept in tanks and used inside the structure.

Planting trees or other vegetation around structures is another environmentally friendly, cost-effective way to deal with droughts and flooding. In times of heavy rainfall, the roots of the plants function as sponges to enable water to permeate the soil and lessen the likelihood of flooding. 

Conclusion

Identifying potential hazards, assessing the potential impacts, and implementing strategies to reduce the risk of damage is essential. It also involves creating a culture of preparedness and resilience within the organisation. To get a deeper knowledge of building management systems, check out the courses offered by Skill-Lync. We offer a wide range of courses for civil engineering graduates and professionals. Enroll yourself in Skill-Lync to make a better career path!