The recent devastating earthquake in Southeast Asia serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action. As seismic events become more unpredictable and destructive, construction technology and building codes must evolve rapidly to ensure safety and sustainability.
On March 28, 2025, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake centered near Mandalay, Myanmar, caused widespread destruction, impacting structures as far away as Bangkok, Thailand. The tragedy, including the collapse of a 33-story building under construction in Bangkok's Chatuchak district, highlights severe deficiencies in current building standards and compliance practices.
Why Do Buildings Fail?
The Bangkok building collapse, tragically resulting in at least 19 fatalities, is under investigation, with early indications pointing to structural design flaws (such as the use of flat slab construction), inferior materials, and inadequate consideration of Bangkok's soft soil foundations. Low-frequency seismic waves amplified by soft soils caused significant swaying, leading to structural failure.
Raising the Standards: Building Codes and Compliance
Effective building codes are fundamental in mitigating seismic risks. Yet, fewer than 10% of buildings in Bangkok adhere to rigorous earthquake-resistant standards. As compliance costs rise and codes grow increasingly complex, stakeholders must leverage more brilliant construction technologies and innovative materials to build both efficiently and safely.
Construction Technology as a Solution
Advanced construction technologies, including base isolators, dampers, and intelligent sensor networks for structural monitoring, provide solutions that ensure resilience without significantly increasing costs. Pre-fabrication and modular construction techniques also offer opportunities to meet stringent codes economically and rapidly.
The Kuala Lumpur Tower in Malaysia is an excellent example of earthquake-resistant construction. Its structural design incorporates reinforced concrete and deep foundations that anchor the tower firmly in the ground. Additionally, a bridge connecting the KL Tower and an adjacent building includes specialized seismic isolation bearings and dampers, allowing flexibility and reducing potential damage from seismic events.
Practical Recommendations:
- Integrated Design Approach: Architects, engineers, and builders must not just collaborate, but also unite early to optimize seismic performance while controlling costs.
- Material Innovation: Using high-performance materials that balance strength, flexibility, and weight.
- Tech-Driven Compliance: Leveraging technology such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) for real-time compliance checking and streamlined project management.
- Retrofitting Existing Structures: Proactively upgrading older buildings with cost-effective seismic retrofits can save lives and reduce long-term costs.
Lessons from Tragedy
The Myanmar earthquake must catalyze improved building practices across Southeast Asia. Policymakers, engineers, developers, and communities must not only embrace but also inspire innovation in construction technology and robust enforcement of building codes. Only then can we ensure safer urban environments that are resilient enough to withstand future seismic events.
Building smarter today protects lives tomorrow.