TOWER OF STABILITY:

EXPLORING PROPORTIONS IN SEISMIC DESIGN

HANDS ON ACTIVITY 1
SUBMITTED BY: AYISHA SHADHA, AMEGHA DINESAN, DEVIKA DEVARAJ, MARWA JUBAIRIYA, NAHILA
KEEPOYIL, SONA PARVEEN FAROOQUE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
01. ABOUT ACTIVITY
(Objective, Materials and procedure)

02. ACTIVITY PROCEDURE

(Construction of tower, Shaking table test)

03. OBSERVATIONS
(Observations and Insights)

04. CONCLUSION
(Key learning)
ABOUT ACTIVITY
In this hands-on activity, we will explore the relationship between width and
height in building design and its impact on structural stability during
earthquakes. By constructing towers with varying width to height ratio of
(minimum limit to 1:3), we aim to understand the significance of balanced
proportions in creating earthquake-resistant structures. Let's embark on this
exciting journey of learning and discovery together!

MATERIALS USED:
1. MODELLING CLAY
2. BAMBOO SKEWERS
ACTIVITY PROCEDURE
1. Students will be divided into groups.

2. Use the clay as a base and attach the craft sticks or toothpicks
vertically to construct their towers, considering that the width to height
ratio of the tower shall not be less than 1:3 (meaning the tower's height
should not be less than three times its width).

3. Students are expected to be creative in their designs while

maintaining the minimum width to height ratio.

4. Once the tower is constructed, it shall be placed on the shaking table.

5. Shaking table test is conducted to check the stability of towers.

OBSERVATION
Tall structures that get narrower as they reach the top, like pyramids,
are also very stable. Tall, skinny structures such as skyscrapers can be
much more susceptible to natural disasters including high wind and
earthquakes, which can cause them to topple.

Two rectangular blocks stacked on top of each other horizontally will be

much more stable than if you stack the same two blocks end to end
vertically. The tower's stability depends on the ratio of its width to its
height.

When compared to medium- and low-rise buildings, tall mega-braced

frame systems present several distinctive characteristics in their
behavior and peculiar aspects in their design, such as long periods and
higher mode effects

MILD SHAKING MODERATE SHAKING HEAVY SHAKING

CONCLUSION
The width height ratio decreases, the deflection will increase.

If strength criteria are usually dominant factors in the design of low-rise

structures, stiffness and stability may often govern the design process
when building height increases.