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Chapter C. The Loma Prieta, California, Earthquake of October 17, 1989 - Building Structures

Professional Paper 1552-C
Prepared in cooperation with the National Science Foundation
By:
https://doi.org/10.3133/pp1552C

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Abstract

Several approaches are used to assess the performance of the built environment following an earthquake -- preliminary damage surveys conducted by professionals, detailed studies of individual structures, and statistical analyses of groups of structures. Reports of damage that are issued by many organizations immediately following an earthquake play a key role in directing subsequent detailed investigations. Detailed studies of individual structures and statistical analyses of groups of structures may be motivated by particularly good or bad performance during an earthquake. Beyond this, practicing engineers typically perform stress analyses to assess the performance of a particular structure to vibrational levels experienced during an earthquake. The levels may be determined from recorded or estimated ground motions; actual levels usually differ from design levels. If a structure has seismic instrumentation to record response data, the estimated and recorded response and behavior of the structure can be compared.
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Chapter C. The Loma Prieta, California, Earthquake of October 17, 1989 - Building Structures
Series title Professional Paper
Series number 1552
Chapter C
DOI 10.3133/pp1552C
Edition -
Year Published 1998
Language ENGLISH
Publisher Geological Survey (U.S.)
Contributing office(s) Earthquake Hazards Program, Earthquake Science Center
Description p. C1-C186
Larger Work Type Report
Larger Work Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Larger Work Title The Loma Prieta, California, Earthquake of October 17, 1989: Performance of the Built Environment
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