1.13. Earthquake Excitation Characteristics

Try these first

1. 1.

   What does Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) refer to?

   Hint

   Think about the forces exerted during an earthquake.

2. 2.

   Why is the duration of shaking important?

   Hint

   Consider how long buildings are subjected to shaking.

3. 3.

   What does Peak Ground Acceleration indicate?

   • The minimum ground speed
   • The average ground shaking
   • The maximum ground acceleration

   Hint

   Remember what PGA stands for.

4. 4.

   True or False: The frequency content of an earthquake does not affect how buildings respond.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Think about resonance and natural frequencies.

5. 5.

   A structural engineer is analyzing a 5-story building with a natural frequency of 1.5 Hz. If an earthquake occurs with high energy in the frequency range of 1.5-3 Hz, what mitigation strategies would you recommend?

   Hint

   Think about how to reduce amplification effects.

6. 6.

   Explain how a longer duration of shaking would affect a high-rise building designed to withstand short bursts of earthquake motion.

   Hint

   Consider how fatigue plays a role in material failure under continuous stress.