“Seismic cushion” for the home – how buildings should be built on faults in Almaty

Tengrinews.kz — Construction specialists are proposing the use of seismic isolation technology in high-rise building development. This method reduces the structural load during an earthquake. Where is this technology already being used, and what benefits does it offer?
Timur Nurtaev, Director of the Almaty branch of the Union of Builders of Kazakhstan, discussed the initiative at a briefing hosted by the Regional Communications Service (RCS). He noted that approximately 40 percent of the country is located in seismic hazard zones, with each region assigned its own seismic rating. Almaty is prone to tremors measuring nine to ten on the seismic scale.
Under new regulations, seismic isolators must be used in the construction of social facilities, such as schools, kindergartens, and clinics.
Note:A seismic isolator is a specialized device installed between the foundation and the building structure. It helps mitigate the impact of an earthquake on the construction.
Timur Nurtaev explained that this technology helps reduce the seismic load on buildings from a magnitude of nine down to four or five. This allows the structure to remain standing and prevents collapse.

"I believe this requirement should be extended beyond public buildings to include the private sector, ensuring modern technology is used in residential homes. This way, when someone buys an apartment, they can be confident the building will withstand strong earthquakes. I think this would actually have a positive impact on sales. Many people would likely be willing to pay extra for that peace of mind. Furthermore, using seismic isolators allows for the use of less reinforcement steel," the speaker said.

He added that construction is possible anywhere, even in seismically active zones, provided it is done correctly. The key is to account for all nuances when designing the foundation and the building's frame.

"To build on a tectonic fault, for example, you must obtain special technical specifications where KazNIISA (Kazakh Research and Design Institute of Construction and Architecture — Ed. note) stipulates additional requirements for the structural frame. You would need to use a more robust foundation, a stronger frame, more reinforcement, and even a higher grade of concrete so the structure can withstand seismic loads. There is a common misconception that building on tectonic faults is impossible," said Timur Nurtaev.

According to his estimates, there are 12 tectonic faults in Almaty. Of these, 10 are "dormant" and only two are active—one located in the upper part of the city and the other in the lower part.
The speaker also addressed the issue of home insurance. He believes all residential property in the country should be insured. He emphasized the importance of developing a well-structured system so that every resident can afford a policy, while ensuring insurance companies can manage compensation payouts in the event of natural disasters.