TABLE OF CONTENTS As discussed in Chap. 13, the actual rupture of the ground due to fault movement could damage a structure. Secondary effects, such as the liquefaction of loose granular soil and slope movement or failure could also cause structural damage. This chapter will discuss some of the other earthquake-induced effects or structural conditions that can result in damage to foundations and retaining walls. Topics will include earthquake-induced settlement and foundation alternatives to mitigate earthquake effects.
Earthquakes throughout the world cause a considerable amount of death and destruction. Earthquake damage can be classified as being either structural or nonstructural. For example, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (1994) states:
Damage to buildings is commonly classified as either structural or non-structural. Structural damage means the building's structural support has been impaired. Structural support includes any vertical and lateral force resisting systems, such as the building frames, walls, and columns. Non-structural damage does not affect the integrity of the structural support system. Examples of non-structural damage include broken windows, collapsed or rotated chimneys, and fallen ceilings. During an earthquake, buildings get thrown from side to side, and up and down. Heavier buildings are subjected to higher forces than lightweight buildings, given the same acceleration. Damage occurs when structural members are overloaded, or differential movements between different parts of the structure strain the structural components. Larger earthquakes and longer shaking durations tend to damage structures more. The level of damage resulting from a major earthquake can be predicted only in general terms, since no...
