Serving professionals in engineering, environmental,
and groundwater geology since 1957

MONTHLY DINNER MEETING

Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2003
Location: Steven’s Steak House, 5332 Stevens Place, Commerce, CA
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.-Social Hour; 7:00 p.m.-Dinner; 8:00 p.m.-Presentation
Cost: $25 per person with reservations, $30 at the door, $12 for students

SPEAKER: Dr. Jonathan D. Bray
TITLE: Developing Mitigation Measures for the Hazards Associated with Earthquake Surface Fault Rupture


ABSTRACT

Recent earthquakes have reminded the profession of the devastating Effects of earthquake surface fault rupture on engineered structures and facilities. Insights from these events are discussed with special emphasis on describing how ground movements associated with surface faulting affect structures. Analytical procedures that can be employed to evaluate the hazards associated with surface faulting and to develop reasonable mitigation measures are also discussed.

A project in Southern California where these procedures were applied is presented to illustrate the insight gained from sound engineering analysis of the problem. Similar to other forms of ground failure, such as mining subsidence, landslides, and lateral spreading, effective design strategies can be employed to address the hazards associated with surface faulting.

These design measures include establishing non-arbitrary setbacks based on fault geometry, fault displacement, and the overlying soil; constructing earth fills, often reinforced with geosynthetics, to partially absorb underlying ground movements; using slip layers to decouple ground movements from foundation elements; and designing strong, ductile foundation elements that can accommodate some level of deformation without compromising the functionality of the structure.

Read Dr. Bray's paper on fault rupture mitigation

BIO

Jonathan D. Bray is a professor within the Department of Civil Engineering, University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Bray holds both a Ph. D. and P.E.