Japan’s Building Codes Saved Lives
Although the toll in lost life is still rising from Japan’s earthquake, it is safe to say that Japan’s building codes saved countless lives. As noted in a New York Times article, extra steel bracing, giant rubber pads, and embedded hydraulic shock absorbers are common features in Japan’s modern buildings.
Historically, building codes have been reviewed and revised after every major earthquake, and design professionals (especially structural engineers) should pay close attention to the proposed revisions in building codes.