In any professional effort there are always different sides and opinions. Certainly this is true in medicine and law. Well it is true in structural engineering and earthquake safety. A crack in a wall is dramatic on the TV news. To the structural engineer is it an expected behavior of a building within acceptable limits.
Seismic design criteria, contained in the building regulations, is for no structural damage in a small earthquake, possibly repairable damage in a moderate earthquake and potentially major damage in a large earthquake.
But, post-disaster, the building is to remain standing permitting exit, even in the large event. The is no
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.