7.

LOADS DUE TO
SEISMIC ACTION
(P100/2013)

An earthquake (also known as a quake,

tremor or temblor) is the result of a
sudden release of energy in the Earth's
crust that creates seismic waves . The
seismicity or seismic activity of an area
refers to the frequency, type and size of
earthquakes experienced over a period of
time.
The epicenter, Earth's surface point that
is directly above the hypocenter or focus,
the point where an earthquake or
underground explosion originates.
The epicenter is directly above the
earthquake's hypocenter (focus).

In the case of earthquakes, the

epicenter is directly above the point
where the fault begins to rupture, and
in most cases, it is the area of greatest
damage.
.

Tectonic faults are sites of localized

motion, both at the Earth's surface
and within its dynamic interior.

Tectonic faults in Romania

Main Vrancea Type Earthquakes

directions

A seismic scale is used to calculate and compare the severity of

earthquakes.
Two fundamentally different but equally important types of scales
are commonly used by seismologists to describe earthquakes. The
original force or energy of an earthquake is measured on a
magnitude scale,
intensity indicates the local effects and potential for damage
produced by an earthquake on the Earth's surface as it affects
humans, animals, structures,

Seismic scales
Richter;
Mercalli modifyied (MM);
M.S.K.-64 (Medvedev-Sponhauer-Karnic).

Magnitude measured on Richter scale.

Energy released in the focus:
log E = 11.8 + 1.5M (erg)
Intensity measured on
- Mercalli scale
- Mercalli modified scale
- MSK- 64 scale
- The
Environmental
Seismic
Intensity scale (ESI 2007)[

The base seismic force computed with

respect to every main direction
considered in the structural analysis may
be determined using the relationship:
F = I Sd(T) m
where:

I importance factor
T structure motion period
Sd(T) ellastic response spectrum
ordinate for period T
mass

unde Sd(T)

0 < T TB
1)T]/TB]}
T > TB

Sd(T)=ag{1+[(0/q Sd(T)=ag(T)/q

Earth quakes effects soil liquefaction

Efecte ale actiunii seismice - falieri