Synopses & Reviews
This unique handbook compiles essential information on the theory, regulation, analysis, and design for the construction of seismically safe structures throughout the world in one comprehensive volume. The book begins with a section covering the fundamentals of earthquake engineering, serving as an up-to-date overview of structural dynamics. The focus of the book is on approaches to earthquake engineering from around the world. Experienced engineers from thirty-four countries present their national seismic codes and demonstrate their application with quantitative examples. Seismic codes of seismically active countries are included, from Mexico to Italy to Egypt to India. Each chapter details a country's geography and geology; history of recent significant earthquakes; and the socioeconomic context of the seismic code and its implementation. An appendix serves as a ready reference on the different methods of measurement of earthquake magnitude and intensity in seismically active countries. In addition, the chapter authors have developed easy-to-use computer programs of the code to specific structures. A convenient order form at the end of the book allows readers to order the program as a set, and they are available individually from the chapter authors. Engineers, professionals, and students involved in the design, construction, maintenance, and regulation of seismically safe structures throughout the world will benefit from this broad and accessible handbook. Mario Paz is Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Louisville, Kentucky. He has been Head of the Department of Statistics with the Government of Chile, and has consulted on structural dynamics and earthquake engineering with numerous government agencies and industrial companies. In addition, he is the author of the widely used textbook STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS:THEORY AND COMPUTATION, now in its third edition in English and translated into several other languages.
Synopsis
The subject of earthquake engineering has been the focus of my teaching and research for many years. Thus, when Mario Paz, the editor of this handbook, asked me to write a Foreword, I was interested and honored by his request. Worldwide, people are beginning to understand the severity of the danger to present and future generations caused by the destruction of the environment. Earthquakes pose a similar threat; thus, the proper use of methods for earthquake-resistant design and construction is vitally important for countries that are at high risk of being subjected to strong-motion earthquakes. Most seismic activity is the result of tectonic earthquakes. Tectonic earthquakes are very special events in that, although they occur frequently, their probability of becoming natural hazards for a specific urban area is very small. When a severe earthquake does occur near an urban area, however, its consequences are very large in terms of structural destruction and human suffering.
Table of Contents
Part I: Introduction to structural dynamics and earthquake engineering: Structures modeled as a single degree-of-freedom system; Seismic response and design spectra; Structures modeled by generalized coordinates; Structures modeled as multidegree-of-freedom systems; Part II: Earthquake resistant design of buildings: Countries in seismic regions; Algeria; Argentina; Australia; Bulgaria; Canada; Chile; China; Colombia; Costa Rica; Egypt; El Salvador; France; Greece; Hungary; India; Indonesia; Iran; Israel; Italy; Japan; Mexico; New Zealand; Peru; Portugal; Puerto Rico; Romania; Spain; Taiwan; Thailand; Turkey; Union of Soviet Socialist Republics [Currently known as the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)]; United States of America; Venezuela; (Former) Yugoslavia; Appendix; Diskette order form; Index.