Earthquake Design Solution Techniques Isolation Bearings
Construction Method
Seismic Considerations
Additional Design Strategies
Diaphragms: Floors and roofs can be used as rigid horizontal planes, or diaphragms, to transfer lateral forces to vertical resisting elements Shear Walls: Strategically located stiffened walls are shear walls and are capable of transferring lateral forces from floors and roofs to the foundation. Braced Frames: Vertical frames that transfer lateral loads from floors and roofs to foundations. Moment-Resistant Frames: Column/beam joints in moment-resistant frames are designed to take both shear and bending thereby eliminating the space limitations of solid shear walls or braced frames. Energy-Dissipating Devices: Energy-Dissipating Devices are used to minimize shaking of the building. Base Isolation: Separate the building from the foundation to absorb shock.
Attachment Plates
Seismic Activity Map
Seismic Design Factors
Factors that affect the design of the building. Torsion Damping (Vibration Absorption) Ductility Strength Stiffness Building Configuration
Sliding Bearings
Calculations
Internal forces within buildings called Inertial Force (FInertial) cause most damage FInertial = Mass (M) x Acceleration (A) The greater the mass (weight of the building), the greater the internal inertial forces generated. Light weight construction is more beneficial for earthquake prone buildings Sources: WBDG, FEMA, MCEER