Why Do Earthquakes Damage These Houses?

• No sheath wall below 1st story

• No adequate foundation under perimeter walls

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WHY EARTHQUAKES DAMAGE POST AND PIER HOUSES

• Two major weaknesses
  • Two major weaknesses occur in the load path of houses supported by a post and pier foundation.
    • One is the absence of sheathed walls below the first story exterior walls.
    • The other is the absence of an adequate foundation under those perimeter walls.