Designing Earthquake Safe Schools
This online engineering PDH interactive presentation provides an overview of the risk of earthquakes to schools and the processes and methods that can be used to reduce it.
Earthquakes have long been feared as one of nature’s most terrifying phenomena. In the aftermath of any damaging earthquake, there is an immediate need of shelter for people who have been displaced from their homes. In earthquake-prone regions, school sites are often used to provide immediate shelter. However, possible use of school buildings as a safe haven for the community involves complex design and construction issues. This presentation outlines the earthquake risk to schools and the processes and methods that can be used to reduce it.
An explanation of the nature and probability of earthquakes is provided, together with procedures for determining the earthquake threat to specific locations and for evaluating the vulnerability of a school building. An assessment of the scope and effectiveness of seismic building codes is followed by a description of current methods of designing for seismic resistance in new buildings and upgrading existing buildings. Lastly, this presentation presents guidance for school districts, facility planners, and designers on determining acceptable risk and the use of performance-based design.
This 2 PDH online course is intended for structural, civil, mechanical and construction engineers, and would also be of particular interest to engineers serving as consultants to school officials involved in the technical and financial decisions of school construction, repair, and renovations.
This continuing education interactive presentation is intended to provide you with the following specific knowledge and skills:
- Understanding the nature and probability of earthquakes
- Understanding the vulnerability of schools
- Understanding earthquake damage to schools
- Learning about seismic codes and schools
- Knowing the effectiveness of seismic codes
- Evaluating existing schools for seismic risk and specific risk reduction methods
- Learning about risk reduction for existing and new schools
- Understanding the role of a school as a post-earthquake shelter
Upon successful completion of the quiz, print your Certificate of Completion instantly. (Note: if you are paying by check or money order, you will be able to print it after we receive your payment.) For your convenience, we will also email it to you. Please note that you can log in to your account at any time to access and print your Certificate of Completion.