It is impossible to predict precisely the damage a building will experience in a future earthquake, because each earthquake is unique, and building simulations only model approximate responses to shaking. Losses due to earthquakes are even more unpredictable because they depend on the post-eartahquake actions of individual owners, insurers, design professionals, building officials, and contractors. Nevertheless, property investors need to understand the risk associated with property investments. Seismic risk assessment reports have become standard practice in financial due diligence.
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Author Archives : Curt B. Haselton, Ph.D., P.E.
Curt B. Haselton is a Professor and John F. O’Connell Endowed Chair in Civil Engineering at California State University, Chico and Co-Founder of the Seismic Performance Prediction Program (SP3). He can be reached at curt@hbrisk.com.
Most building codes worldwide have been developed to protect building occupant health and safety under likely loading, including earthquakes. Severe wind, snow, and live loads frequently occur during a building’s life. Therefore, in addition to protecting life safety, code requirements for these loads also result in a very low probability that buildings will be damaged by these loads. Earthquakes, however, occur rarely and most buildings never experience a significant earthquake. …
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