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How do wood homes compare structurally in an earthquake?

Timber Buildings - Structure Failure

Buildings constructed from timber perform well in earthquakes due to wood's ductile nature. When a timber structure is subjected to lateral loads produced by an earthquake, it tends to absorb the seismic energy by distorting the waves, then quickly returns to its original shape unharmed. Despite the ability to cushion this energy, there are 4 risk areas commonly associated with wood homes and buildings:

1. Foundation Anchorage
2. Cripple Walls
3. Soft Stories
4. Chimneys

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