Applying technology to build smart homes and prevent natural disasters

Faced with the devastation of natural disasters, the application of technology in the construction of smart buildings plays an important role in responding to and preventing damage caused by natural disasters.

Earthquake resistant house building technology

According to the World Meteorological Organization, in 2023, Asia will suffer the most natural disasters in the world, most commonly earthquakes.

During an earthquake, strong shaking is the main cause of building collapse, especially those not designed to earthquake-resistant standards. This is accompanied by landslides, which often occur in mountainous areas or steep slopes. Currently, governments of all countries have regulations on the proper design and construction of houses, to increase the ability to withstand strong shaking, minimizing property damage.

One example is Japan - a country located in an area with strong seismic activity and prone to earthquakes. Most buildings in major cities in Japan are equipped with early warning systems, increasing the ability to detect earthquakes, automatically shutting off gas and electricity to prevent fires. Some high-end apartments and condominiums also have automatic fire extinguishing systems and emergency lighting to ensure safety for people in the event of an earthquake.

In terms of design, the earthquake-resistant building structure uses a tightly connected reinforced concrete frame, forming a solid load-bearing system, combined with deep foundation excavation to ensure the stability of the building, minimizing the risk of subsidence and cracking. In addition, horizontal and vertical braces help increase the load-bearing capacity of the house. A typical example is the Taishin house structure with beams, pillars and walls built with a thickness that can withstand strong shaking. The Taishin house uses seismic isolation bearings, allowing the building to move horizontally during an earthquake; applying foundation isolation and vibration control techniques, thereby reducing the pressure on the structure and minimizing damage.

Developing smart building systems

Integrating smart building technology into real estate can significantly improve disaster response and recovery. One of the key benefits of smart building technology is its ability to provide real-time monitoring, allowing emergency responders to quickly assess the safety of a building and identify areas at risk. One example is the integration of digital building information modeling (BIM) tools into smart building technology.

Smart building technology allows building owners and emergency responders to remotely control building systems from a central platform, ensuring that critical systems are managed quickly and efficiently after a disaster, said Dr. Haresh Jayaram (University of Maryland). For example, in the event of a building's electrical system being damaged, information will be immediately transmitted to emergency responders, allowing the system to be proactively shut down and preventing any risk of fire or explosion.

Some smart buildings also have mechanisms in place to automatically shut down critical systems in the event of a disaster, reducing the risk of further damage and ensuring the safety of building occupants and emergency responders. According to the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), smart building technology will help enhance disaster response and recovery by controlling and automating building systems such as power backup, remote analysis and control of building systems, etc.

According to the International Energy Agency, buildings are one of the largest contributors to global CO2 emissions. Building operations account for 30% of global final energy consumption and 26% of global energy-related emissions. Several countries, such as the United States, the Philippines, and Japan, have implemented financial policies to support the construction and development of smart building system technology for sustainable development.

In fact, many businesses are applying BIM technology in combination with various systems such as electrical and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, including lighting, security, heating, and ventilation systems, focusing on the goal of reducing emissions and improving disaster prevention efficiency. According to the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, HVAC technology accounts for about half of the electricity used in office buildings in the country.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/batdongsan/ap-dung-cong-nghe-vao-xay-dung-nha-thong-minh-phong-chong-thien-tai-d224805.html