Buildings designed within the last 20 years have largely held up well to a spike in the number of earthquakes in recent years in Oklahoma, according to a report in Tulsa World.
The article quotes a co-founder of a local engineering firm who says that newer buildings designed to code have not suffered damage to his knowledge. Oklahoma has experienced a dramatic rise in seismic activity—both in the number of events and in severity—over the past several years.
Oklahoma was struck by 623 magnitude 3.0-plus earthquakes and three of the five strongest quakes in state history in 2016. Scientists have linked the uptick to increased fracking for oil and natural gas.
One notable change in local building standards in recent years is an increased emphasis on the bracing of mechanical and electrical components to withstand seismic activity. This issue has received more attention particularly for structures that contain critical infrastructure such as wastewater treatment plants.
Related Stories
| Dec 11, 2014
Outdated building code hampering recruitment of high-tech businesses in New York State
New York State’s building code is outdated and is hampering the recruitment of high-tech employers, according to a coalition of construction, fire safety, and insurance industry groups.
| Dec 11, 2014
Defense Authorization Act rejects BRAC for 2017
The House of Representatives has passed the $584.2 billion Defense Authorization Act.
| Dec 4, 2014
New airports raising green standards to new heights
Recent airport designs are bigger and much more efficient, based on a look at recent projects in Mexico City, London, and China.
| Dec 4, 2014
Rock Hill, S.C., puts moratorium on multifamily construction
City officials say the flurry of apartment construction over the past year has strained resources, including public services and infrastructure.
| Dec 4, 2014
Ontario contractors renew push for prompt payment legislation
A new coalition of Ontario contractors, construction associations, suppliers and trade unions will push for a revival of prompt payment legislation late this year.
| Dec 4, 2014
Roofing material manufacturers extend research project on sustainable roofing
A coalition of trade groups is sponsoring continued analysis of a reroofing project at the Onondaga County Correctional Facility in Jamesville, New York.
| Nov 26, 2014
Colorado must fix construction defects law, Denver Post says
Colorado's “vexing construction defects law” has hampered the building of new condominiums in the state, according to an editorial in the Denver Post.
| Nov 26, 2014
Cheyenne, Wyoming City Council kills downtown design standards proposal
The Cheyenne, Wyoming City Council voted down a measure that would have implemented design standards for new construction and building additions downtown.
| Nov 26, 2014
ASTM International develops first product category rules for asphalt roofing industry
The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) and ASTM International have developed Product Category Rules (PCR) for asphalt roofing in North America.
| Nov 26, 2014
International Green Construction Code will include option for outcome-based approach
The outcome-based approach requires the building owner to provide the building’s utility bills for a 12-month period within three years.