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U.S. Siesmic Zones

U.S. Siesmic Zones

U.S. Siesmic Zones

(OP)
Has anyone heard of a siesmic zone 8 in the United States?  a co-worker insists there is a zone 8 but I don't think so.  If one does exist, can someone provide me with some information?

Thank you.

RE: U.S. Siesmic Zones

7897:

SEISMIC ZONE 8!?? UBC only goes to zone 4, which is the highest I've ever heard of.

jproj

RE: U.S. Siesmic Zones

There are only seismic zones 1 through 4 in UBC.  This is up to UBC-97.  However, the new 2000 IBC seismic design provisions does not use seismic zones to establish design earthquake loads any more.  Instead IBC uses a parameter called Seismic Design Category for imposing design and detailing requirements.  Seismic Design Category of a structure is a function of three parameters: probable site ground motion, the type of soil at the stucture site, and the building occupancy category.

RE: U.S. Siesmic Zones

Ask if they mean Richter Magnitude 8 or Mercalli Intensity 8?
They might.

RE: U.S. Siesmic Zones

Just being picky, amokhta, but actually the seismic zones in the US vary from 0 to 4, not 1 to 4.

RE: U.S. Siesmic Zones

JAE:  Thank You.  You are right.  It was a typo on my side.

RE: U.S. Siesmic Zones

In the AASHTO Standard Specifications for the Design of Highway Bridges, Division 1A - Seismic Design, they divide the U.S. into for Categories; A thru D.  Almost everything East of Nevada is Category A.

It sounds like your friend is mixed up on his facts.

RE: U.S. Siesmic Zones

Can Anyone tell me what Design Category Kitsap County State of Washington, Bremerton Area is? I know that according to the 2003 IBC it is either D1 or D2

RE: U.S. Siesmic Zones

Ask him what code he's referring to and then look it up.  Seismic zones exist only as defined by a building code or other standard; they aren't stripes painted on the ground.  You could always write "Bubba's Building Code" with zones from 1 to 99 or whatever you wanted.

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