Are aluminum ceilings more stable than gypsum during seismic activity in regions like Kazakhstan?

Kazakhstan’s seismic zones—for example, near Almaty—demand building components that can withstand lateral movement without damage. Gypsum ceiling boards, fixed with screws or adhesive, can crack or detach when square grid frames shift during tremors. Suspended aluminum ceilings, by contrast, employ interlocking panels clipped onto flexible T-bars that can move slightly within hanger wires. This clip-in design dissipates seismic energy: panels remain secured even when the grid experiences up to ±20 mm lateral deflection. The inherent light weight of aluminum (around 2 kg/m²) reduces inertial forces during earthquakes compared to gypsum (8–10 kg/m²), minimizing stress on the ceiling structure and hangers. In high-rise residential towers in Nur-Sultan, flexible aluminum ceilings help maintain aesthetic continuity post-quake, avoiding costly repairs and ensuring occupant safety. Moreover, aluminum’s ductility allows minor bending without fracturing, preserving panel integrity. For civil engineers and architects designing in Central Asian seismic regions, suspended aluminum ceilings represent a robust, earthquake-resilient alternative to traditional gypsum systems, combining safety with low maintenance.