Ensuring buildings in Malaysia can withstand earthquakes

Dr Lee (right) with the help of his students demonstrating how the structure of a small scale building will react on a shaker.

MALAYSIA’s proximity to the Pacific Ring of Fire – an area of significant volcano activities and earthquakes – makes it vital to incorporate safety features into buildings here, say experts.

“The nearness of our country to this seismically active area means that high-rise buildings will feel the wobble from these earthquakes though it is occurring 500km away,” said Dr Lee Hoong Pin, an associate professor from Inti International University’s Faculty of Engineering and Quantity Surveying.