Earthquake-resistant design of high-rise buildings

Abstract

Research on occurrence of earthquakes, on characteristics of earthquake ground motions, and on the motions of buildings during earthquakes, provided information for developing advanced methods of earthquake-resistant design of high-rise buildings. The tallest buildings in Los Angeles have been designed by these advanced methods. The ground and building motions recorded during the 9 February 1971 San Fernando, California, earthquake verified that the new methods of earthquake- resistant design were correct and, as a consequence, the Los Angeles Building Code has been revised to require that in the future high-rise buildings must be designed by these new dynamic methods. This is an example of how research can result in a practical payoff.