Seismic Design Concepts: Integration Into The Curriculum

This paper discusses earthquake hazards in the United States and how economic and social risk can be reduced by educating undergraduate engineering, architecture and construction students about earthquake forces and basic seismic design principles. Introduction Continuing studies and advances in seismology and geology have expanded seismicity information for the United States. These studies have confirmed that earthquake hazards are present throughout the United States, not just in California. Earthquakes in parts of the country other than California have often been treated as anomalies, but work in these areas shows a pattern of seismic activity. Large and moderate earthquakes occur more frequently in California than in other areas of the country, but other areas may have a higher risk of damage, death and injury because of the lack of preparation and awareness. Figure 1 shows a map prepared by the United States Geological Survey that indicates the current estimated earthquake hazard throughout the United States. The map represents the maximum ground acceleration that is estimated to have a 10 percent chance of being exceeded in that area in any 50 years.