Projects : Task Order 16

SUMMARY

Cost-Benefit Analysis of Codes and Standards for Earthquake-Resistant Construction in Selected U.S. Regions – Phase I

In the mid-Mississippi River Valley region of the U.S., including the areas impacted by the New Madrid earthquakes of 1811-1812, a lack of objective, scientific information on the costs and benefits of seismic design has resulted in confusion regarding the relative costs and benefits of earthquake-resistant construction, and reluctance among state and local governments to adopt such provisions in areas that experience large damaging earthquakes less frequently.

The primary objective of this task is to perform trial designs for selected archetypical building types in order to estimate relative costs and benefits associated with earthquake-resistant construction in the mid-Mississippi River Valley region. (Team members in addition to the following to be determined). 

Project Director: James Harris, James R. Harris and Company, Denver, Colorado

Project Technical Committee:

• Peter Morris, Davis Langdon, Sacramento, California

• David Bonneville, Degenkolb Engineers, San Francisco, California

• Ryan Kersting, Buehler and Buehler Structural Engineers, Sacramento, California

• John Lawson, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California

Project Review Panel: