How to Avoid Earthquake Damage in New Buildings

Course Summary

Seismic risks can be managed effectively in a number of ways, including the design and construction of better performing buildings as well as the employment of strategies that can result in risk reduction over the life of the building.

Learning Objectives

Risk reduction techniques include the use of new technologies, such as seismic isolation and energy dissipation devices for both structural and nonstructural systems; site selection to avoid hazards such as ground motion amplification, landslide, and liquefaction; and the use of performance-based design concepts, which enable the engineer to better estimate building capacity and seismic loading demand and to design buildings for enhanced performance (beyond that typically provided by current seismic codes). The implementation of risk reduction strategies by engineers, building owners and managers is critically important, not only for reducing the likelihood of life loss and injury, but also for reducing the potential for losses associated with earthquake damage repair and business interruption. The course is intended to be used in:

• The initial project planning stages to address sitting, general building performance considerations, and how the design process can incorporate performance-based design principles;
• The budgeting phase of a project to identify the resources that can be allocated to manage risk;
• The design phase of a project to assist in the layout of structural systems, define performance objectives, and perform benefit-cost analyses of various building options; and
• The construction administration phase of a project to achieve a high level of quality assurance and control, thereby increasing the likelihood that the facility, as constructed, will perform as expected.

In addition, the report provides information that pertains to risk management strategies that are not directly part of the project planning, design, and construction processes, but that owners and managers can use to mitigate earthquakes losses.

Course Author

FEMA

Review the quiz before studying the course.

Certificate of completion of the course

This course comes with a multiple-choice quiz. You can view the quiz and take the quiz if you are logged in your account. You can take the quiz for this online PDH course as many times until passed. The passing grade is 70% and above. After you pass the quiz simply follow the page, to pay for the course and print your certificate instantly. A copy of the certificate and receipt for this course will always be in your account.

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This online PDH course can also be used as a continuing education course for the following.

Architects

Civil Engineering

Structural Engineering

Contractors

Landscape Architects

Home & Building Inspectors