6.16. Influence of Ground Motion Characteristics

Try these first

1. 1.

   What does Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) measure?

   Hint

   Think about how fast the ground is shaking.

2. 2.

   Why is the duration of motion important?

   Hint

   Consider how prolonged shaking might affect a building.

3. 3.

   What is the relationship between Peak Ground Acceleration and the forces acting on a structure?

   • Higher PGA means less force
   • Higher PGA results in larger forces
   • PGA has no impact on forces

   Hint

   Remember what happens when acceleration increases.

4. 4.

   True or False: Longer durations of ground motion do not affect structures.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Think about how repeated stress can affect materials.

5. 5.

   Given a building with a natural frequency of 2 Hz, determine the risks if predominant ground motion has a frequency of 2.2 Hz during an earthquake.

   Hint

   Assess the proximity of the frequencies to understand the resonance impact.

6. 6.

   Calculate the potential inertia force experienced by a mass of 500kg with a Peak Ground Acceleration of 0.8g during an earthquake.

   Hint

   Remember the formula for force: F = ma.