Civil Engineering/Seismic

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Expert: - 2/19/2004


Question
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Followup To
Question - Client Project states "seismic" shall be Class 2b with acceleration factor of 0.2g; and, "anti-seismic" shall be acceleration factor of 0.2g.  Client is not help in answering.  Is this made up, or, is it a real factor?

What is meant by "anti-seismic"?
Answer -
Hi Tom,


If you mean aseismic, this means that a structure is designed to be resistant to damage by earthquake forces. Nothing is completely anti-seismic, as different magnitudes of earthquakes will have varying degrees of effect on structures.

Usually one has to find a balance between economy and damage acceptability- for instance most buildings may be designed to prevent collapse, but accept minor damage that makes the buildings unserviceable until repaired.

I hope this helps!

Kind regards,

Arshad  

Answer
Hi Tom,

From what I can make out, both references to 0.2 g are the same thing. Zone 2b is a moderate-to-severe seismic risk, as per Uniform Building Code (UBC) of the USA. If you get a copy of this code, all will be clear. Or go to Google on the net and type in seismic risk zones and you will get various links to check out.

I hope that helps!


Kind regards,

Arshad  

Civil Engineering

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Arshad Khan

Expertise

I can answer any questions to do with civil and structural engineering consultancy and construction industry in East Africa and the Middle East, and specifically with the analysis and design of reinforced concrete structures. My particular expertise is in the aseismic design and optimisation of tall buildings.

Experience

Employment history: 36 years in Construction and consultancy in the UK, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Africa, Somalia, Zambia, Austria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Doha and the U.A.E.

Organizations
.Fellow of Institution of Structural Engineers (UK) .Fellow of Institution of Civil Engineers(UK) .Member of the Institution of Engineers, Kenya .Registered Engineer, ERB, Kenya .Member of the Architectural Association of Kenya (Engineers Chapter) .Chartered Engineer (UK)

Publications
•1984: International Conference on the Art and Practice of Structural Design, London •1994: 3rd Int. Kerensky Conference in Structural Engineering, Singapore •2008: International Conference on High-Rise Towers, Abu Dhabi

Education/Credentials
BSc, 1st Class Hons, in Building Engineering, University of Bath, UK MSc in Concrete Structures and Technology, University of London. Diploma of Imperial College, UK.

Awards and Honors
•Science Congress Special Award (for 2-seater Hovercraft - 1968) •Institution of Civil Engineers Award for outstanding performance at Bath University (1975) •Concrete Society Postgraduate study Bursary Award (1976) •Consular Representative for British High Commission, Nairobi. (1995 to 1998) •Examiner for Institution of Civil Engineers Professional Interviews, Nairobi. (1997 to 1998) •Branch Representative in Vienna for PI assessment for Inst. of Struct. Engrs. (1999 to date)

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