A Whole Lot of Shaking Going On: Earthquakes and the Damage They Cause

Earthquakes and the damage they cause are the subject of considerable scientific and engineering investigation as well as insurance claims and litigation. This presentation covers a range of technical issues relevant to attorneys who are involved with earthquake litigation cases. Topics covered consider the response of the ground, foundation, and structure and how each responds in an earthquake.

Outline

1. Introduction: video examples of damage caused by earthquakes in Kobe, Japan and Northridge, California
2. Sneak Preview
3. Faults
4. Measures and Intensity
   1. Magnitude
   2. Peak Ground Acceleration
   3. Modified Mercalli Intensity
   4. Tagging
   5. Permitted Earthquake Repairs
5. Types of Damage
   1. Damage to Built Environment
   2. Ground Failure
   3. Tsunami
   4. Fire Following
   5. Utility Disruption
6. Common Shaking Damage
   1. Inspection Points
   2. Contents
   3. Water Heaters
   4. Chimneys
   5. Finishes
7. Uncommon Damage
   1. Foundation
   2. Slab
   3. Roof Attic
   4. Framing
   5. Floor Squeaks
8. Ground Failure
9. Geotechnical Effects
   1. Ground Rupture
   2. Rockslides/Landslides
   3. Densification/Liquefaction
   4. Regional Data
   5. Site-Specific Data
10. Conclusions