An Introduction to Earthquake Engineering: Goals, Technology, and Research Methods

http://www.brighthubengineering.com/structural-engineering/41861-earthquake-engineering-goalstechnology-and-research-methods/
Earthquake engineering is a sub-discipline of civil engineering that influences the life and property of all
human beings. It is this science that has provided an in-depth knowledge of earthquakes, useful
guidelines to minimize the damage due to earthquakes.

Aims of Earthquake Engineering

Earthquake engineering is the science of the performance of buildings and structures when subjected to
seismic loading. It also assists analysing the interaction between civil infrastructure and the ground,
including the consequences of earthquakes on structures. One of the most important aims of earthquake
engineering is the proper design and construction of buildings in accordance with building codes, so as to
minimize damage due to earthquakes. It is the earthquake engineer who ensures proper design of
buildings so they will resist damage due to earthquakes, but at the same time not be unnecessarily
expensive

Seismic Vibration Control Technologies

The purpose of these technologies is to minimize the seismic effects on buildings and other infrastructure by the use of
seismic control devices. When seismic waves start penetrating the base of the buildings from the ground level, the flow
density of their energy reduces due to reflections and other reasons. However, the remaining waves possess significant
potential for damage when they reach the superstructure.
Vibration control devices assist in the reduction of the damaging effects, and enhance the seismic performance
characteristics of the building. When the seismic waves penetrate a superstructure, these are dissipated by the use of
dampers, or dispersed in a wide range of frequencies. Mass dampers are also employed to absorb the resonant wave
frequencies of seismic waves, thus reducing the damaging effects. Seismic isolation techniques are sometimes used to
partly suppress the flow of seismic energy into the superstructure by the insertion of pads into or beneath the load
bearing elements in the base of the structure. Thus, the structure is protected from the damaging consequences of an
earthquake by decoupling the structure from the shaking ground.

Research On Earthquake Engineering

In order to properly understand how buildings and structures can stand up to earthquakes, extensive research has also
been conducted on earthquakes.
In order to obtain an in depth knowledge concerning the initiation and behavior of earthquakes, it is essential to
ascertain the mechanical properties and frictional characteristics of the crust of the earth. Observations from space have
clarified the complete cycle of earthquake, including the silent accumulation of strain, transfer of stress between faults,
release of strain, and failure of faults. Measurements on boundary zones of tectonic plates have explained the
interaction of faults across hundreds of kilometers. Study of the stress transients that take place after earthquakes will
determine the possibility of future earthquakes at other sites in the system. These studies have provided scientific
explanations related to earthquake engineering and resulted in revision of concepts and practical application.

Earthquake Engineering & Design

E arthquake Engineering is a field of engineering which deals with earthquakes and their effects on
structures, such as buildings, bridges, towers, etc. An earthquake engineer is responsible for estimating
the earthquake risk in the region of the structure, and its appropriate design to ensure that the structure
withstands probable future earthquakes.

What is earthquake engineering design?

Earthquake Engineering Design is the application of earthquake science and past earthquake experiences
to the design of new and existing buildings. The design takes into account the effects of the earthquake
motion on the structure, and addresses the structures weaknesses against this phenomenon.
Earthquake engineering design aims to ensure that built structures withstand frequent and moderate
earthquakes, and survive strong ones without collapsing.
Why is it important?
As with any other natural phenomenon, earthquakes and their effects should be considered when
designing a structure to ensure its safety. Imagine if you do not consider rain in the design of your
building, and forget about the roof! Earthquakes are a natural phenomenon, but ones that typically occur
less frequently.
How is earthquake engineering design used?
The first task of the earthquake engineer is to estimate the strength of the earthquake that could occur
in the region. Earthquakes are classified based on their properties: strength and frequency of
occurrence. According to the importance of the designed structure, it is designed to remain undamaged
during more frequent earthquakes, and not to collapse under less frequent but very strong earthquakes.
This is because it is either very expensive or virtually impossible to design a structure that can withstand
any earthquake.
Where is earthquake engineering design used?
As earthquakes can occur almost anywhere on Earth, this design should be used everywhere. However,
there are certain regions that are known to have more earthquakes, like California in the United States,
and earthquake-resistant design is of special importance. Although there are some places with no
recorded strong earthquakes, there is commonly a minimum earthquake that designers have to consider
to increase the safety of structures.
What happens if it is not used?
If a structure is not designed to withstand earthquakes that occur in the region, those structures are not
safe places. Currently construction codes require all structures to meet the standards for seismically safe
design. One of the major reasons for destructive earthquakes that result in huge death tolls, is that the
buildings are not properly designed for earthquakes.
If you would like to learn more about earthquake engineering, please read this article prepared by the
MCEER Information Service and Mehdi Ahmadizadeh, PhD, SUNY Buffalo.

Earthquake
Engineering-https://cee.stanford.edu/programs/structural-engineeringgeomechanics/research/earthquake-engineering
Our objective in earthquake engineering research is to improve the state of knowledge, through fundamental and
applied research, to help decision-makers reduce seismic hazards.
Decision-makers are defined as all the individuals and agencies affecting the planning and design/construct process,
such as planning or regulatory agencies, owners, investors and insurers and the engineers who protect against
seismic
hazards
through
earthquake-resistant
design.
Earthquake engineering is a multi-phased process that ranges from the description of earthquake sources, to
characterization of site effects and structural response, and to description of measures of seismic protection. Our
current research includes occurrence modeling, geophysical modeling, ground-motion modeling, stochastic and
nonlinear dynamic analysis, and design and experimentation. Components of these studies pertain to the individual
phases but also, and perhaps more importantly, to aspects that incorporate some or all of the phases of earthquake
engineering.
Seismic hazard and risk analysis
For over 30 years, research at the John A. Blume Earthquake Engineering Center has focused on seismic hazard
and risk analysis. Early work focused mainly on modeling sources, occurrence and attenuation, and developing
probabilistic hazard analysis methodologies, using Poisson models and Bayesian models. In recent years,
considerable efforts have been placed on introducing mechanistic models to occurrence and attenuation phenomena.
Time- and space-dependent models have been introduced to represent the fault rupture mechanics and the stress
accumulation and release cycles of large earthquakes. Most recently, advanced computational tools, such as
geographic information systems (GIS) and database management systems (DBMS), have been used to capture,
analyze, integrate and display the tectonic, seismological, geological and engineering information needed in seismic
hazard
assessment.
Working with various countries in Central America, North Africa, Asia and Europe, our researchers have developed
seismic hazard maps and structural design criteria, while our faculty and graduate students have significantly
contributed to the development of models and methods for earthquake vulnerability and risk assessment. Current
research uses analytical models for damage and structural vulnerability assessment that are based on nonlinear
structural response simulation. A key question currently being addressed is the assessment of losses resulting from
structural damage. Damage and vulnerability models are developed for individual structures within the context of
performance-based engineering and more generic vulnerability models are formulated for application over large
regions to many different types of structures. These risk assessment tools have been implemented and utilized by the
practicing engineering community as well as by government agencies, insurance/reinsurance companies and
financial
institutions.
Researchers in our department are also working on seismic risk assessment models for transportation systems.
These models use GIS and transportation network analysis tools to estimate the losses from damage to components
of the system as well as those due to traffic time delays or inaccessibility of particular locations. Tools for emergency
response and resource allocation following disasters are key features currently under development. Significant
components of this research are supported through the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center (PEER).
Ground motion modeling

Prediction of strong ground motion continues to be a major research area in earthquake engineering, using
simulation of ground motion models for seismic hazard analysis, stochastic-physical rupture process models for
ground motion prediction, prediction of ground motion for engineering applications, and study of the nonstationary
characteristics of simulated and recorded ground motions for nonlinear analysis of structures. Various geophysical
models are being considered for simulating strong ground motion, and recorded motions from recent earthquakes are
being studied for their characteristics and damage potential. Recent seismological studies have focused on the
understanding and characterization of strong ground motion in the near field. The effect of near-field motions on
structures has been observed from past earthquakes to be particularly important; however, systematic studies of
these effects had not been conducted so they now are a focus of current research.
Damage potential of ground motion
Experience in past earthquakes has shown that the engineering profession has not yet succeeded in defining groundmotion parameters that correlate well with observed damage. From an engineering perspective, we are seeking
representations of the seismic demand that can be used, through convolution with the structural capacity, to
assess structural reliability. Thus, both demand and capacity need to be evaluated, the latter with due regard to
structural characteristics and cumulative damage effects that depend on strong motion duration. If this can be
achieved, seismic risk analysis can be based on reliability concepts, and design parameters can be derived that are
consistent with the damage potential of the ground motions.
Research studies on seismic hazard analysis, input and response characterization, structural reliability, and design
are treated as interrelated subjects through a consistent and coordinated approach. The major components of this
research are development of damage models for structural response; characterization of ground motions based on
damage potential; reliability evaluation; seismic risk analysis; and development of design parameters.
Design and experimentation
Considerable effort is being devoted to design research that can be implemented directly in engineering practice. This
research, concerned with methods to evaluate and improve the behavior of new and existing structures in severe
earthquakes, includes:

Development of a deformation-based seismic design methodology.

Dynamic stability considerations and P-delta effects.

Evaluation of the effects of stiffness and strength irregularities in plan and elevation.

Cumulative damage modeling.

Retrofit measures for existing structures.

Exploration of new materials and new structural systems for earthquake resistance.

Our research facilities include a laboratory with equipment for static and dynamic testing of structural materials,
components and system models. Current structural testing is focusing on research to validate computational models
to predict dynamic nonlinear response of structures and for developing health-monitoring technologies. This includes
shaking table tests to examine structural collapse phenomena as affected by the complex interactions of degrading
structural response and random earthquake input motions. Shake table testing is also an important component of the
research to develop more robust wireless strong motion sensors. Other projects involve quasi-static testing of
structural components and materials to evaluate fiber-optic sensors and to investigate the effect of localized failure
mechanisms on structural performance.