NEHRP Clearinghouse
- Title
- Earthquake Resistance of the Old State House, Boston, Massachusetts.
- File
- PB82105008.pdf
- Author(s)
- Whitman, R. V.; Becker, J. M.
- Source
- National Science Foundation, Washington, DC. Engineering and Applied Science., January 1980, 47 p.
- Abstract
- The purpose of this study was to obtain bounds for the ground acceleration experienced in the vicinity of the Old State House in Boston during the Cape Ann Earthquake of November 1755. To achieve this objective, the earthquake resistance of the Old State House was estimated, and from this resistance the base accelerations that would cause no cracks or damage were calculated. Described are the structure and material properties of the building and its seismic response characteristics. The building's overall seismic behaviors, motion of masonry walls, roof and floor diaphragms; and peak ground acceleration were analyzed. It was concluded that the most probable effective base acceleration in the vicinity of the Old State House did not exceed the range of 5-10 percent of gravity. The peak ground acceleration probably did not exceed the range of 2.5-5.5 percent of gravity. A lower bound on the Cape Ann Earthquake could not be established because of reports that the building was not damaged.
- Keywords
- Earthquake resistant structures; Seismic waves; Seismic risk; Dynamic response; Dynamic structural analysis; Earthquake engineering; Boston (Massachusetts); Cape Ann earthquake; Old State House; Public buildings