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New concrete could help buildings survive quakes

A new kind of concrete called "SIMCON" may keep buildings earthquake proof

(CNN) -- Seattle recently experienced a big earthquake, but suffered relatively little damage. The city's buildings shook, but did not collapse.

Scientists say building collapse is what causes most of the death and injury in quakes like the one that killed 20,000 people last August in Turkey.

Researchers at North Carolina State University found out a new kind of concrete called "simcon," which is reinforced with mats made of stainless steel fiber, that could make buildings virtually earthquake proof.

CNN's David George tells us how researchers are working to make buildings as safe as they can be from earthquakes.

More quakes ahead for Pacific Northwest?
March 2, 2001
Structural damage from Wednesday's Pacific Northwest quake
March 1, 2001
Quake leaves 17,000 without power in U.S. Northwest
February 28, 2001
Desert earthquake rattles Southwest
October 16, 1999
Powerful tremors shake northwest Turkey; at least one dead
August 31, 1999

North Carolina State University
USGS National Earthquake Information Center
Center for Civil Engineering Earthquake Research
Earthquake Engineering Research Institute
Global Earthquake Response Center

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