A “soft, weak, open front” (SWOF) is a structural condition that makes certain buildings more vulnerable during an earthquake. “Soft” means that this ground floor doesn’t have the same stiffness or strength as the upper floors (which usually have more walls). “Weak” means the ground floor can’t carry or resist as much earthquake force as the floors above. “Open front” means the ground floor of the building has big openings — like garage openings, wide glass storefronts, or any area with fewer walls.
Put simply: the top of the building is heavy and strong, while the bottom is light and fragile. During an earthquake, the weaker bottom floor can’t keep up with the movement, which can cause it to collapse — even if the rest of the building is intact.
Voluntary strengthening of your building not only protects individuals living, working, or staying in the building, but it also protects your investment.
Damage to buildings with SWOF characteristics can be severe and could lead to very expensive repairs, or even the removal of the building in the worst cases. Additionally, strengthening can increase property values, reduce insurance premiums, and reduce inherent liability.