There are plenty of ideas for cheap earthquake-proofing: one is to fit rubber pads from recycled tyres between concrete blocks as shock-absorbers, says a report in Science magazine.

This paper deals with a new kind of water swelling rubber used for water proofing.

A polysulfide rubber modified epoxy water-proof and corrosion protective coating has been developed, which is used for water-proofing and corrosion protection of metals and concrete.