CHAPTER 1

Moderate earthquake ‘can happen anytime’

in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 8 – Although Malaysians may feel that the country is not

prone to earthquakes, experts believe otherwise.

Located at the peripheral of the ring of fire and beside two neighbours, Indonesia and

the Philippines, which have seen violent episodes of seismological activities in the

past few years, the chances of being jolted by at least one moderate earthquake cannot

be ruled out.

So far, Malaysia has only encountered strong vibrations and aftershocks after its

neighbours were hit by strong earthquakes.

In 2012, the Meteorological Department had detected eight earthquakes in the eastern part of the

country, in Sabah and Sarawak (between 2 and 4.5 on the Richter scale).

Six earthquakes had occurred in Sabah (Tambunan, Kota Marudu, Kudat, Beluran,

Kunak and Keningau) and two earthquakes had occurred in Belaga, Sarawak.

However, an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.8 on the Richter scale in Lahat Datu in

Sabah in 1976 is believed to be the strongest earthquake so far.

THE THREAT IS REAL            

A seismology expert, Dr Mohd Rosaidi Che Abas, 54, said the threat of an earthquake

in Malaysia cannot be ignored.

The Meteorological Department’s Deputy Director (Application) said some of the

country’s most vulnerable areas are Bukit Tinggi in Pahang and Kuala Pilah in Negeri

Sembilan.

A relatively strong earthquake can hit these areas and some parts of Sabah and

Sarawak.

“Previously, a moderate earthquake had occurred in Lahad Datu, Sabah, and it is

possible for a moderate earthquake to occur in other areas located at or near

active fault lines.

“Malaysia is close to areas that have experienced strong earthquakes, including

Sumatra and the Andaman Sea, while Sabah and Sarawak are located close to the

earthquake zone of South Philippines and North Sulawesi. Therefore, the odds of an

earthquake striking PENINSULA  Malaysia cannot be ruled out,” he said to Bernama

at the Meteorological Department’s headquarters.

THE POSSIBILITY OF BEING HIT BY A STRONG EARTHQUAKE

Nevertheless, Dr Mohd Rosaidi, who has been with the meteorological department for

the last 30 years, stated that the possibility of being hit by a strong earthquake

remains slim.
This fact is based on the findings of local experts who study earthquakes, with local

universities conducting further studies on the country’s vulnerability to earthquakes.

“The proposed long term studies on active fault lines, especially in Ranau and Lahad

Datu in Sabah and Bukit Tinggi in Pahang, are being carried out by the department,

along with the Mineral and Geosciences Department,” he said.

Dr Mohd Rosaidi, who has a Doctorate in earthquake studies from Universiti

Teknologi Malaysia and a MASTERS DEGREE  in seismology from Japan’s

International Institute of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering, said earthquakes in

a seabed unleashes another threat - tsunami.  

“Based on some of the findings, strong earthquakes occur at zones where tectonic

plates collide at the Andaman Sea, the South China Sea, the Sulu Sea and the

Sulawesi Sea. When a strong earthquake occurs in these seas, it can unleash a tsunami

that can end up at the coastlines of Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Perak, Selangor, Sabah and

Sarawak,” he said.

TSUNAMI WARNING STATION

Dr Mohamad Rosaidi said after Aceh was affected by an earthquake and a tsunami in

December 2004, the country had taken steps to establish17 earthquake detection

stations and the National Tsunami Early Warning System.

He pointed out that these 17 stations have been operating since 2005, and they can

detect tectonic plate movements.

Seven of these stations are located at the PENINSULA  and the remaining 10 stations

are located in Sabah and Sarawak. These stations are equipped with seismic

movement detectors, high tide and low tide gauges. Cameras too have been stationed

along certain stretches of the coastline to look out for tsunamis.  

Within 10 minutes of an occurrence of an earthquake, a warning will be issued so that

locals can take the necessary precautions.

Dr Mohd Rosaidi also said 23 tsunami sirens have been installed at high risk locations

all over the nation to warn people in the event of a tsunami.

HELP FROM FOREIGN PARTIES

To keep earthquakes and tsunamis in check, the department is working closely with

international agencies like the International Tsunami Warning Centre and the

International Tsunami Training Centre, both based in Hawaii.

Dr Mohd Rosaidi added that the country is cooperating with the meteorological

agencies of Indonesia and the Philippines by sharing information and providing early

alerts.

The exchange of information on earthquake and tsunami warnings across borders is

vital to ensure that the earthquake and tsunami warning systems are efficient.

WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF AN EARTHQUAKE

Are we ready to face an earthquake? What should we do if an earthquake occurs in

Malaysia?
“When an earthquake occurs, ensure that you are safe and immediately, listen to the

bulletins issued by the department through the television, radio and social websites,”

he said.

The department also conducts awareness programmes so that the public can react

quickly in the event of an earthquake or a tsunami. – Bernama

CHAPTER 1

The construction of a single bay double storey RC frame will be held at Heavy

Structure Laboratory, UiTM Shah Alam. The estimation duration of completing the

construction project is 30 days. There are two steps required in constructing the

prototype of frame. The first step is preliminary work which include cutting and

bending the steel bar; preparation of reinforcement cage; preparation of formwork;

concrete mixing; slump test; cube test and cylinder test; curing process; casting and

concreting the foundation. The preliminary work had been done earlier to gain the

results for slump test. The second steps are compression cube and cylinder test;

casting and concreting the other elements such beams, columns and slab.

The numbers and diameter of reinforcement bars are determined based on the

structural drawing to construct reinforcement cage. The steel reinforcements used

were Y10 and Y16 (high yield steel). The reinforcement bars were cut pursuant to

the dimension and bent up as specified in the standard to avoid bending cracks in the

bar and to avoid failure of the concrete inside the bend of the bar. A reinforcement

cage were form after the bar bending is completed and the arrangement of
reinforcement bars in foundation shown in Figure 3.4. The foundation with 44 holes

was bolted to the strong floor in the heavy structure laboratory using washers and

nuts to prevent the frame from moving when subjected to in-plane lateral cyclic

loading.

Figure 3.4: Arrangement of reinforcement bars in foundation

Formwork for foundation was prepared together with reinforcement cage. The

type of formwork used was plywood which the size is 1200mm x 2400mm. The

apparatus needed to perform the formwork were plywood, hammer, nails, L-elbow,

steel ruler, measuring tape and sawing machine. Based on the plan view of the

foundation, the formwork were measured, drew down and 44 holes were marked on

the plywood as shown in Figure 3.5. Then the plywood was cut using sawing

machine provided in the heavy structural laboratory. To form a box, the plywood

were nailed and secured it by placing supporting members and braces to prevent it

from collapse. Figure 3.6 shows a reinforcement cage was placed into the plywood

formwork. As a precaution, the formwork was inspected to prevent form leaking.

 Figure 3.5: Preparation of formwork

Figure 3.6: Reinforcement cage placed into the formwork

The concrete used for casting foundation was a ready mix concrete with 1:2:3

water cement ratio provided by Lafarge Malaysia Berhad. The size of aggregates had

been used was 10mm and type of cement used was Ordinary Portland Cement

(OPC). Slump test were conducted to measures the workability of fresh concrete.
 The result gain from the test was shear slump with 90mm measured slump

which still in range 75mm ± 25mm. Figure 3.7 shows the type of slump from the

slump test. A cube test and cylinder test is needed to measure the compressive

strength of concrete at 7, 14 and 28 days. Compressive strength of concrete is

denoted by concrete strength classes which relate to the characteristics cylinder

strength fck or the cube strength fck,cube at 28 days. Figure 3.8 shows the concrete were

put inside the cube and cylinder mould.

Figure 3.7: Shear Slump

Figure 3.8: Cube and Cylinder Mould

 Then, a ready mix concrete from the Lafarge cement truck was poured into the

formwork. To prevent air entrapped in the formwork during casting, the concrete

was compacted using hand rod vibrator. The last step was to level the surface of

concrete and curing process took place shown in Figure 3.9.

Figure 3.9: Curing process of foundation

After 24 hours the cubes and cylinders will be removed from the mould and put

in the curing tank for 7, 14 and 28 days. Compression test take place immediately

after it achieves the days of curing. Figure 3.10 shows cubes and cylinders were put

into the curing tank.

 Figure 3.10: Curing tank

For curing process of foundation, it takes 3 days before complete hardening.

Canvases were used to wet the top surface of concrete to get consistent hydration process

as shown in Figure 3.11. The formwork can be dismantled from formwork after 3 days.

Hence, column and beam can be cast directly with slab at level 2 after the preparation of

formwork for both had been done. Same goes with foundation, ready mix concrete used

for cast beam and column will go through slump test and compression test first. Figure

3.12 shows a column reinforcement placed into the formwork.

 Figure 3.11: Curing Process before Complete Hardening

Figure 3.12: Column reinforcement placed into the formwork