Scientists shake out clues to earthquake damage

Scientists shake out clues to earthquake damage - By Tony Perry, Los Angeles Times
The wall whose bricks fell first had been constructed with a nail-like device that fastened the masonry to the wooden structure.

The walls where bricks did not fall as easily were made with a screw-in device.

'This is not a failure of the masonry, it's a failure of the connection system,' said Klingner. Earlier tests at 25% and 50% of the Northridge quake's intensity had shown no damage.

At Monday's tests, the masonry on the outside was not the only focus. The experts were also interested in what happened to the drywall, whether it cracked or crumbled, and whether it provided structural support.