Earthquake Engineering and Volcanic Eruptions

Contents: Preface.  1. Earthquake. 2. Intensity Scales. 3. Countrywise Risks. 4. Mitigation Plan for Earthquake Disaster. 5. Volcanism. 6. Geographical and Geological Analysis of Volcanoes. 7. Vulnerability Modification. 8. Geologic  Hazard Prediction and Mitigation. Bibliography. Index.

“Earthquake engineering is the study of the behavior of buildings and structures subject to seismic loading. It is a subset of both structural and civil engineering.

The main objectives of earthquake engineering are:

1. Understand the interaction between buildings or civil infrastructure and the ground.
2. Foresee the potential consequences of strong earthquakes on urban areas and civil infrastructure.
3. design, construct and maintain structures to perform at earthquake exposure up to the expectations and in compliance with building codes.

A properly engineered structure does not necessarily have to be extremely strong or expensive.

The most powerful and budgetary tolls of earthquake engineering are vibration control technologies and, in particular, base isolation.

Seismic loading means application of an earthquake-generated agitation to a structure.  It happens at contact surfaces of a structure either with the ground, or with adjacent structures, or with gravity waves from tsunami. Seismic loading depends, primarily, on:

1. Anticipated earthquake’s parameters at the site.
2. Geotechnical parameters of the site.
3. Structure’s parameters.
4. Characteristics of the anticipated gravity waves from tsunami (if applicable).

Ancient builders believed that earthquakes were a result of wrath of gods (in Greek mythology, e.g., the main “Earth-Shaker” was Poseidon) and, therefore, could not be resisted by humans.

This book will be of immense help to all those contemplating to acquire an expert knowledge of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.”(jacket)