After natural disasters, Build Change produces reconnaissance reports to assess the damage, learn about building structures and materials and provide advice. We intend that these resources be used to share our knowledge with others.

Sulawesi, Indonesia – 2018

Sulawesi Post-Earthquake

Earthquake and Tsunami: September 28, 2018 – Central Sulawesi (Palu), Indonesia, 7.5-magnitude. Build Change conducted a field visit in late October and early November 2018 to the impacted areas, including four cities,  17 sub-districts and 24 villages.

2018 Central Sulawesi (Palu) Earthquake and Tsunami Reconnaissance Report

Lombok, Indonesia – 2018

Earthquake: August 5, 2018 – Lombok, Indonesia, 7.0-magnitude. Build Change conducted a field visit in early September 2018 to the impacted areas including Lombok Timur and Lombok Utara. This report summarized the findings and general recommendations based on the observed damage.

2018 Lombok Post-Earthquake Reconnaissance Report

Surigao Del Norte, Mindanao, Philippines – 2017

Surigao Earthquake: February 10, 2017 – Surigao del Norte, Mindanao, Philippines

Build Change Post-Earthquake Reconnaissance Report following magnitude-6.7 earthquake.

Pidie Jaya, Indonesia – 2016

Earthquake: December 7, 2016 – Aceh Indonesia, 6.5-magnitude

Build Change 2016 Pidie Jaya Earthquake Reconnaissance Report

Jeremie, Les Cayes & Moron, Haiti – 2016

Hurricane: October 4, 2016 – Hurricane Matthew in Haiti

Build Change conducted a reconnaissance trip to affected areas in the weeks after the hurricane made landfall in Haiti, and produced this reconnaissance report.

Manabi, Ecuador – 2016

Earthquake: April 16, 2016

A team of Build Change engineers conducted a field visit in early May 2016 to several of the towns impacted by the earthquake along the western coast of Ecuador including: Manta, Canoa, Crucita, Jama, and Portoviejo. This report summarizes their findings and conclusions based on the damage they witnessed.

Gorkha, Nepal – 2015

Earthquake: April 25, 2015 – Gorkha, Nepal, 7.3-magnitude

Build Change 2015 Nepal Earthquake Reconnaissance Report

October 1, 2015 Updated Version of Nepal Earthquake Reconnaissance Report

Los Santos, Colombia – 2015

Earthquake: March 10, 2015 – Los Santos, Santander, Colombia, 6.2-magnitude

Colombia Post-Earthquake Reconnaissance Report

Visayas, Philippines – 2013

Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan: November 8, 2013 – Visayas, Philippines

Philippines Reconnaissance Report following magnitude-7.1 earthquake and Typhoon Yolanda.

Bohol, Philippines – 2013

Earthquake: October 15, 2013 – Bohol, Philippines, 7.1-magnitude

Philippines Reconnaissance Report following magnitude-7.1 earthquake and Typhoon Yolanda.

San Marcos & Quetzaltenango, Guatemala – 2012

Earthquakes: November 7, 2012 (7.5-magnitude) and July 7, 2014 (6.9-magnitude).

Build Change did a field visit to 6 schools in February 2015 to evaluate necessary technical assistance and potential deficiencies.

Padang, Indonesia – 2009

Earthquake: September 30, 2009 – Padang, Indonesia, 7.9-magnitude

Build Change contributed to the Housing section in the EERI Report.

Sichuan, China – 2008

Earthquake: May 12, 2008 – Sichuan, China, 7.9-magnitude

Build Change reports from a study facilitated by the University of California, Office of the President, 10 + 10 Strategic Partnership.

1: Needs Assessment and Planning
2: Housing Types
3: Housing Performance
4: Building Performance
5: Xiao Yu Dong Bridge
6: Gao Yuan Bridge

Bengkulu, Indonesia – 2007

Earthquake: September 12, 2007 – Bengkulu, Indonesia, 8.5-magnitude

Available in English (EN) and Bahasa Indonesia (BI):

Build Change Report (EN)

Build Change Report (BI)

Pisco, Peru – 2007

Earthquake: August 15, 2007 – Pisco, Peru, 8.0-magnitude

Our staff examined common causes of structural failure in April 2008.

Central Java, Indonesia – 2006

Earthquake: May 27, 2006 – Central Java, Indonesia, 6.3-magnitude

Available in English (EN) and Bahasa Indonesia (BI):
Build Change Report (EN)
Build Change Report (BI)

Bam, Iran – 2003

Earthquake: December 26, 2003 – Bam, Iran, 6.6-magnitude

Intermediate Shelters in Bam and Permanent Shelter Reconstruction in Villages Following the 2003 Bam, Iran Earthquake

Bhuj, India – 2001

Earthquake: January 26, 2001 – Bhuj, India, 7.7-magnitude

Housing Reconstruction and Retrofitting After the 2001 Kachchh, Gujarat Earthquake

Killari (1993), Chamoli (1999) & Bhuj (2001), India

Earthquakes: 1993 – Killari, India, 6.2-magnitude
1999 – Chamoli, India, 6.8-magnitude
2001 – Bhuj, India, 7.7-magnitude

Long-Term Change in Construction Practice Through Post-Earthquake Reconstructions