Habitat for Humanity Core houses for Haiti

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Earthquake-resistant design
Core houses are designed with earthquake-resistant features that work as a whole system to resist damage in the event of another earthquake. These structural features include:


•Walls with embedded steel bars.
All cells surrounding doors and windows will contain embedded steel bars. Additionally, each wall will have a horizontal steel bar for every two layers of blocks. The steel bars will absorb the shear stress of an earthquake.
A portion of the walls will be constructed with concrete blocks. Other materials used may include pre-fabricated micro concrete panels, interlocking blocks and compressed earth block.
•Reinforced concrete footings, columns and a bond (ring) beam which tie the concrete block walls together.
The bond beam absorbs and resists the horizontal forces of an earthquake―transmitting these forces to the columns, footings and eventually to the ground. Additionally, the columns are designed to resist and absorb bending movements.
•Properly supported, light roof structure.
Our core house design uses a light roof structure and roof cover, in addition to a proper structural system.

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Small, but well-constructed and durable, permanent structures that provide adequate living space and sanitation facilities for the average Haitian family of five.

http://www.habitat.org/disaster/active_programs/Core_houses.aspx?tr=y&auid=5989303