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Instructors: 
Terrence F. Paret, M.ASCE
Gwenyth R. Searer, P.E., S.E., M.ASCE

Course Length: 90 minutes

Purpose and Background

National standards for seismic assessment and strengthening of buildings and structures provide a one-size-fits-all approach to be applied no matter the location of the structure, the type of structure, or the level of seismic hazard. Particularly in areas of low to moderate seismicity, this can lead to misdirection of efforts and inefficiencies in allocation of resources relative to identification of higher risk structures for which interventions are most reasonable, as well as inefficiencies in the prioritization of the specific interventions to be made for a given structure. This can result in costly interventions that provide little meaningful risk reduction and that are inconsistent with the underlying goal of engineering.

This webinar examines misperceptions about buildings and structures that are commonly thought by the profession to be particularly vulnerable. In some cases, the structures were located in areas of low to moderate seismicity and experienced design-level shaking, and in other cases, the structures were located in areas of relatively high seismicity but were exposed to lower levels of shaking.

Primary Discussion Topics

• Definition of areas of low to moderate seismicity
• Estimation of economic costs associated with earthquakes in various cities
• Assessment of recent seismic performance of typical structures during low to moderate ground shaking
• Balancing risk to occupants with economic resources and limitations
• Philosophical approach to dealing with buildings in areas of low to moderate seismicity

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Discover what constitutes areas of low to moderate seismicity
• Determine appropriate goals when dealing with buildings in these areas
• Balance risk to occupants versus economic limitations
• Find out what earthquake return period is most appropriate for assessment of typical structures.
• Identify the easiest and least disruptive improvements that one can make to existing structures in areas of low to moderate seismicity

Webinar Benefits

• Learn what areas of the country are considered to be areas of low to moderate seismicity
• Understand appropriate goals when dealing with buildings in these areas
• Learn how buildings commonly thought to be vulnerable have performed in recent earthquakes
• Find out how to select the most appropriate return period to consider when evaluating and designing strengthening measures
• Balance risk to occupants versus economic limitations
• Develop an understanding regarding how to approach mitigation of seismic hazards in areas of low to moderate seismicity
• Understand that a one-size-fits-all approach will likely be less cost effective than a targeted approach that deals with the most common weaknesses in vulnerable buildings

Assessment of Learning Outcomes

Students' achievement of the learning outcomes will be assessed via a short post-assessment (true-false, multiple choice and fill in the blank questions).

Intended Audience

• Civil and structural engineers who deal with existing buildings on a fairly regular basis, particularly engineers who do not practice on the west coast and who may not be as familiar with seismic loads
• Building officials who are interested in learning how to efficiently reduce seismic risks in their communities
• Government officials who deal with seismic risk and determining minimum requirements for existing structures

Webinar Outline

• Introduction to seismicity and the historical development of the seismic provisions in the building code Discussion of risk and economic impact associated with earthquakes
• Determining an appropriate return period for assessment and strengthening of existing structures
• Case studies demonstrating how various buildings commonly understood to be vulnerable have performed during low and moderate shaking
• Describe how to better communicate risk and reward to nontechnical clients
• Recommend cost-effective methods to reduce the seismic hazard posed by structures in areas of low to moderate seismicity

How to Earn your CEUs/PDHs and Receive Your Certificate of Completion

To receive your certificate of completion, you will need to complete a short on-line post-test and receive a passing score of 70% or higher within 1 year of purchasing the course.

How do I convert CEUs to PDHs?

1.0 CEU = 10 PDHs [Example: 0.1 CEU = 1 PDH]