NEHRP Clearinghouse
- Title
- Earthquake Hazards and Wood Frame Houses. What You Should Know and Can Do.
- File
- PB85240737.pdf
- Author(s)
- Comerio, M.; Levin, H.
- Source
- National Science Foundation, Washington, DC., cJanuary 1982, 53 p.
- Abstract
- The manual is designed to help homeowners improve the seismic resistance of their homes. Earthquakes are discussed and the different types of seismic waves generated during the earthquake are described. The location of a house, its age and construction, foundation, walls and columns, floors and roofs, chimneys, exterior veneers, interior hazards, and utilities are considered. It is pointed out that wood frame dwellings, particularly single story homes, suffer less structural damage during an earthquake than any other type of residential or commercial structure. Site hazards, including surface faulting, ground shaking and instability, and tsunamis and seiches are examined and suggestions for adjustments to seismic hazards are offered. An earthquake safety checklist is included.
- Keywords
- Seismic waves; Damage; Tsunanis; Wooden structures; Earth movement; Earthquake engineering; Earthquakes; Hazards; Manuals; Houses; Structural analysis