Seismic code
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Seismic codes or earthquake codes are building codes designed to protect property and life in
buildings in case of earthquakes. The need for such codes is reflected in the saying, "Earthquakes
don't kill peoplebuildings do." Or in expanded version, Earthquakes do not injure or kill people.
Poorly built manmade structures injure and kill people.[1]
Contents
[hide]
1 Origin
2 Around the world
2.1 Mexico
2.2 Spain
2.3 United States
3 References
Origin[edit]
While modern seismic code is heavily influenced by earthquakes in California and ensuing California
legislation, the origins of seismic code go back to the 1700s in Portugal.
The 1755 Lisbon earthquake resulted in prescriptive rules for building certain kinds of buildings
common in the area. Events in Messina, Italy (1911), and Kanto (Tokyo) Japan (1923) led to
guidelines for engineers to design buildings for horizontal forces of about 10% of the weight of the
building.
The 1906 San Francisco earthquake produced little or no code development, but the 1925 Santa
Barbara earthquake convinced a critical mass of those in power in California of the need for seismic
requirements. Two years later in 1927 the first seismic regulations appeared as a voluntary appendix
in the 1927 Uniform Building Code.
Immediately after the 1933 Long Beach earthquake, careful analysis of structural failures in that
quake by architect Louis John Gill formed the basis for much of the California seismic legislation
(Field Act for schools and Riley Act for all buildings),[2] which are now used on many other places on
the planet.[3]
Seismic code has been under constant evolution since 1927, with changes often instigated by
earthquakes in California.
Around the world[edit]
Mexico[edit]
The first Mexico City building code was issued in 1942; since 1966, it contains a complete set of
regulations for structural design and has served as a reference for municipalities across the country.
In 1976, the code adopted a coherent format for all materials and structural systems, based on limit
states design philosophy. In February 2004 a new set of seismic codes was issued. [4]
Spain[edit]
In Spain the seismic code is called the "Norma de Construccin Sismorresistente". (See the article in
Spanish Wikipedia)
United States[edit]
This section requires expansion.
(June 2014)
In the United States the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) publishes
"Recommended Seismic Provisions for New Buildings and Other Structures". [5]
Building Codes
Main Content
There is an often-repeated saying, "earthquakes don't kill people, buildings do."
Although you cant control the seismic hazard in the community where you live or work,
you can influence the most important factor in saving lives and reducing losses from an
earthquake: the adoption and enforcement of up-to-date building codes.
What are Building Codes?
Building codes are sets of regulations governing the design, construction, alteration and
maintenance of structures. They specify the minimum requirements to adequately
safeguard the health, safety and welfare of building occupants.
First story of an apartment building in San Francisco, California, leaning to the side after
the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. U.S. Geological Survey Image.
Rather than create and maintain their own codes, most states and local jurisdictions
adopt the model building codes maintained by theInternational Code Council (ICC). The
ICCs family of International Codes includes:
International Building Code (IBC): Applies to almost all types of
new buildings
International Residential Code (IRC): Applies to new one- and
two-family dwellings and townhouses of not more than three stories
in height
International Existing Building Code (IEBC): Applies to the
alteration, repair, addition or change in occupancy of existing
[Link] ICC publishes new editions of the International Codes
every three years and many states and localities have adopted them
since the first editions were issued in 2000. In 2000, the three
regionally-based model code organizations (BOCA National Code,
SBCCI Standard Code and ICBO Uniform Code) combined together to
form the ICC.
What are Seismic Codes?
Some provisions within the IBC, IRC and IEBC are intended to ensure that structures can
adequately resist seismic forces during earthquakes. These seismic provisions represent
the best available guidance on how structures should be designed and constructed to
limit seismic risk.
Changes or additions to the seismic provisions come from many different sources,
including new research results and documentation of performance in past earthquakes.
A primary resource is the NEHRP Recommended Seismic Provisions for New Buildings
and Other Structures (FEMA P-750). FEMAs companion document Earthquake Resistant
Design Concepts (FEMA P-749) provides a nontechnical background explanation.
Adoption of the model codes is uneven across and within states, even in areas with high
levels of seismic hazard. Some states and local jurisdictions have adopted the codes but
have made amendments or exclusions relating to the seismic provisions.
FEMA Mitigation Map Modernization Specialist Marshall Marik inspects for structural
damage to the Hilo, Hawaii Fire Station with US Army Corps structural engineer Peter
Lam after a recent series of earthquakes. November 13, 2006. FEMA Image.
Other jurisdictions have been slow to adopt the latest code editions. Unless your
community has adopted the latest model building code, including its seismic provisions,
new structures in your community will probably not provide the current minimum level
of protection from earthquake hazards to you and others who use them.
How Are the Codes Enforced?
Adopting the latest building codes is only part of the solution. Codes must also be
effectively enforced to ensure that buildings and their occupants benefit from advances
in seismic provisions in the model codes. For the most part, code enforcement is the
responsibility of local government building officials who review design plans, inspect
construction work and issue building and occupancy permits.
What about Older Buildings?
Except in certain circumstances, such as when a building is significantly renovated or
altered or there is a change in its use that triggers the IBC or IEBC, the code
requirements for existing buildings are those that were in effect when the structure was
designed and constructed.
Your community probably has many older structures that are not protected against
earthquakes. This is because buildings are often used for decades before being replaced
or substantially altered.
These existing buildings are the single biggest contributor to seismic risk in the United
States today.
Damage to older, reinforced concrete building in the 1994 Northridge Earthquake.
1994 by Peter W. Clark and Regents of the University of California.
Can We Make These Buildings Safe?
Its possible to make these buildings more resistant to earthquakes through seismic
retrofitting. When dealing with a population of buildings, the first step is to perform a
quick survey using Rapid Visual Screening of Buildings for Potential Seismic Hazards
(FEMA 154). The next step is to evaluate the building using Seismic Evaluation of
Existing Buildings (ASCE/SEI 31-03). If the evaluation shows that retrofitting is needed,
this should be done using Seismic Rehabilitation of Existing Buildings (ASCE/SEI 41-06).
This standard, which is referenced in the IEBC, is based on Prestandard and
Commentary for the Seismic Rehabilitation of Buildings (FEMA 356). The FEMA
publication Techniques for the Seismic Rehabilitation of Existing Buildings (FEMA
547) provides an extensive description of retrofit techniques for strengthening the
structural elements of buildings.
Seismic retrofitting of a building must also include steps to better protect non-structural
components (suspended ceilings, non-load-bearing walls and utility systems) and
building contents (furnishings, supplies, inventory and equipment). Reducing the Risks
of Non-Structural Earthquake Damage (FEMA E-74) was recently updated and is an
excellent resource for information on mitigating risk to non-structural components and
contents.
Non-structural damage to the basement of the Olive View Medical Treatment Building
caused by the 1971 San Fernando earthquake. 1971 by Earthquake Engineering
Research Center and Regents of the University of California.
Certain types of buildings, such as unreinforced masonry structures, have performed
poorly in past earthquakes and are known to be particularly hazardous. Some local
governments in high-hazard areas have enacted ordinances mandating that owners
evaluate and retrofit these buildings. In most jurisdictions, however, seismic retrofitting
remains voluntary.
How Important Is Seismic Retrofitting?
Seismic retrofitting of vulnerable structures is critical to reducing risk. It is important for
protecting the lives and assets of building occupants and the continuity of their work.
On the whole, communities with more retrofitted structures can recover from
earthquakes more rapidly.
If you live or work in retrofitted structures, youre less likely to be injured during an
earthquake. After the earthquake, youre also more likely to have a home and a job to
which you can quickly return. Businesses that use retrofitted buildings are more likely to
survive damaging earthquakes and to sustain shorter business interruptions and fewer
inventory losses.
FEMAs QuakeSmart program helps businesses identify and address their seismic risks
through retrofitting and other earthquake mitigation activities.
Conclusions
There is no more important factor in reducing a communitys risk from an earthquake
than the adoption and enforcement of up-to-date building codes. Evaluating older
buildings and retrofitting structural and non-structural components also are critical
steps. To survive and remain resilient, communities should also strengthen their core
infrastructure and critical facilities so that these can withstand an earthquake or other
disaster and continue to provide essential services.
Whatcom Middle School in Bellingham, Washington, will reopen in the fall 2011 after
undergoing a seismic retrofit. 2011 The Bellingham Herald.
For More Information
For many years, FEMA has supported seismic code development processes and
promoted the adoption and enforcement of seismic codes through its participation in
the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP).
FEMA has produced many publications for a variety of audiences to identify and correct
building vulnerabilities through seismic rehabilitation. Visit Earthquake Publications
Building Codes and Seismic Rehabilitation to review these resources.
Visit the Building Codes Toolkit and download the Building Code Fact Sheet from the
FEMA Library.
Last Updated:
03/19/2015 - 15:19
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