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Worldbuilding

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    $\begingroup$ Reading this makes me realize that most large buildings in developed countries, at least where there's any risk of actual earthquakes, are probably constructed specifically to resist this kind of attack. $\endgroup$ Commented Feb 6, 2025 at 11:25
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    $\begingroup$ "Replicate effects of earthquake on a building with ultrasound": Not without actually inputting comparable amounts of energy... $\endgroup$ Commented Feb 6, 2025 at 12:40
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    $\begingroup$ +1 Bombs have similar effects to earthquakes too. If a machine could be made that could collapse a building cleanly with ultrasound then the military would be 2nd in line to use it. The first group to take up the technology would be people doing controlled demolitions in crowded neighbourhoods - if there was a way to not use high explosive then they would use it. Instead they do use HE, which is a pretty good indication that ultrasound either doesn't work or no one has developed it yet - either way, no hard science favourable answers. $\endgroup$ Commented Feb 6, 2025 at 13:23
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    $\begingroup$ @KerrAvon2055 I just assumed that bombs are much cheaper and the production facilities are already in place for the bombs and explosives. This is the mad scientist not caring about the cost, he just wants to prove them all wrong! And they called him mad! Mwahahaha! So my question is, was there any testing done with that technology by anyone? $\endgroup$ Commented Feb 6, 2025 at 15:58
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    $\begingroup$ It's not just research centers, when the older mid-sized office building I worked at needed seismic retrofit >30 years ago, there was uncertainty about how things were built and connected and the properties of the materials. They did a study where they shook the building, measured the frequency response and modes, compared that to models, did the retrofit construction, and shook it again to make sure it worked. $\endgroup$ Commented Feb 6, 2025 at 20:26