Name: Mc Van Clifford A.

Mahilum
Subject: CE534A
Prof. Engr. Rey Albert Cabotaje
What is an earthquake?
Earthquakes occur almost continuously around the world. Fortunately, most are so small that
they cannot be felt.
Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering (Steven L. Kramer)
Earthquake can create seismic waves arise from sudden movements in a rupture zone (active
fault) in the earth's crust. Waves of different types and velocities travel different paths before
reaching a buildings site and subjecting the local ground to various motions.
Seismic Conceptual Design of Buildings Basic principles for engineers, architects, building
owners, and authorities (Hugo Bachmann)
Earthquakes are the vibrations caused by rocks breaking under stress. The underground
surface along which the rock breaks and moves is called a fault plane.
(http://www.ga.gov.au/scientific-topics/hazards/earthquake/basics/what)
An earthquake is a shaking of the ground caused by the sudden breaking and movement of
large lsections (tectonic plates) of the earth's rocky outermost crust. The edges of the tectonic
plates are marked by faults (or fractures). Most earthquakes occur along the fault lines when the
plates slide past each other or collide against each other.
(http://www.vtaide.com/png/George/earthquake.htm)

What are the considerations on seismic design?

These are the few considerations on seismic design
Foundation: through foundation surveys are a necessity, especially in loose sands, silts and
clays, possibility of floods or tsunami should be considered.
Symmetry: to minimize torsional effects simple foundation and floor plans are desirable and
these should be symmetrical about the vertical load bearing members.
Relative rigidity: accidental stiffening of isolated columns has caused many failures and should
be avoided.
Brittle failure: types of construction which have a brittle mode of failure are dangerous in
earthquakes.
Factor of safety: roughly similar factors of safety should be achieve for all structural members,
and this respect care is necessary in working stress design.
Code revisions and final design check: good design implies working to current codes and
imposing checking systems to correct basic errors such as those mentioned above.

Name at least 3 codes for seismic design.

-ACI 31808 Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary (ACI, 2008)
-ANSI/AISC 34105 Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel buildings
-ANSI/AISC 35805 Prequalified Connections for Special and Intermediate Steel moment
Frames For Seismic Applications
-ANSI/AISC 36005 Specification for Structural Steel Buildings
-ANSI/AISC 30305 Code of Standard Practice for Steel Buildings and Bridges
-TMS 40208/ACI 53008/ASCE508 Building Code Requirements and Specifications for
Masonry Structures
-ANSI/AF&PA NDS 2005 National Design Specification for Wood Construction
-ANSI/AF&PA SDPWS 2005 Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic (Wood)
SEISMIC ENGINEERING GUIDELINES by Stanford University

What are the goals of seismic codes?

The goals of seismic codes is to

Can we prevent earthquake? We cannot prevent natural earthquakes from occurring but we
can significantly mitigate their effects by identifying hazards, building safer structures, and
providing education on earthquake safety. By preparing for natural earthquakes we can also
reduce the risk from human induced earthquakes.

Enumerate the facilities that must remain operational after earthquake.

Certain facilities that must remain operational after earthquake are Hospitals, Police, and Fire
stations. Those facilities cannot be shut down under these circumstances. Accordingly, law
requires that these facilities be designed to remain operational after an earthquake.
Seismic Design of building structure tenth edition by Michael R. Lindeburg, PE with Kurt M.
McMullin, PhD, PE