Such an assessment may be performed either experimentally or analytically.Įxperimental evaluations are expensive tests that are typically done by placing a (scaled) model of the structure on a shake-table that simulates the earth shaking and observing its behavior. On the other hand, it should remain operational for more frequent, but less severe seismic events.Įngineers need to know the quantified level of the actual or anticipated seismic performance associated with the direct damage to an individual building subject to a specified ground shaking. A structure may be considered serviceable if it is able to fulfill its operational functions for which it was designed.īasic concepts of the earthquake engineering, implemented in the major building codes, assume that a building should survive a rare, very severe earthquake by sustaining significant damage but without globally collapsing.
A structure is normally considered safe if it does not endanger the lives and well-being of those in or around it by partially or completely collapsing. It has to be properly designed to withstand the seismic effects while sustaining an acceptable level of damage.Įarthquake or seismic performance defines a structure's ability to sustain its main functions, such as its safety and serviceability, at and after a particular earthquake exposure. Ī properly engineered structure does not necessarily have to be extremely strong or expensive. Design, construct and maintain structures to perform at earthquake exposure up to the expectations and in compliance with building codes.Foresee the potential consequences of strong earthquakes on urban areas and civil infrastructure.The main objectives of earthquake engineering are: However, the tremendous costs experienced in recent earthquakes have led to an expansion of its scope to encompass disciplines from the wider field of civil engineering, mechanical engineering, nuclear engineering, and from the social sciences, especially sociology, political science, economics, and finance.
Traditionally, it has been narrowly defined as the study of the behavior of structures and geo-structures subject to seismic loading it is considered as a subset of structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, applied physics, etc. Earthquake engineering is the scientific field concerned with protecting society, the natural environment, and the man-made environment from earthquakes by limiting the seismic risk to socio-economically acceptable levels. An earthquake (or seismic) engineer aims to construct structures that will not be damaged in minor shaking and will avoid serious damage or collapse in a major earthquake. Its overall goal is to make such structures more resistant to earthquakes. Earthquake engineering is an interdisciplinary branch of engineering that designs and analyzes structures, such as buildings and bridges, with earthquakes in mind.