4.9. Earthquake Engineering

Try these first

1. 1.

   What is the role of seismology in earthquake engineering?

   Hint

   Think about what we need to understand about earthquakes.

2. 2.

   Name one technique used in earthquake-resistant design.

   Hint

   Recall the methods we discussed.

3. 3.

   What do seismic waves refer to?

   • Waves of sound
   • Vibrations produced during an earthquake
   • Waves of light

   Hint

   Think about the movement caused by an earthquake.

4. 4.

   True or False: Base isolation allows a building to move independently of ground motion.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Consider how buildings interact with the ground during an earthquake.

5. 5.

   A city experiences a significant earthquake that caused damage to several buildings. Analyze how implementing base isolators could change the outcomes in such scenarios. What factors should engineers consider?

   Hint

   Think about how movement affects stress on structures.

6. 6.

   Assuming you are part of an engineering team evaluating an older building's safety, describe the process and methods you would use to determine if retrofitting is necessary.

   Hint

   What previous information have you learned about assessing structures?