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Geo-Seismic Engineering Services
Code Compliance and Design Optimization
Seismic Design Terminology
Field and Laboratory Measurement Dynamic
In-Situ Field Testing Services
Laboratory Testing Services
Instrumentation / Equipment for Seismic Testing and
Vibration Monitoring
Geo-Seismic Analysis & Design
Seismic Code Development
Seismic Research Collaboration
Geo-Seismic Engineering Services
Our Geo-Seismic expertise will support your design team to benefit your project. We offer:
- Subsurface investigations for site classification
- Field measurement of seismic properties
- Seismic hazard assessment
- Site-specific seismic design parameters
- Soil-Structure Interaction analysis
- Foundation design and detailing
- Retrofit / ground improvement for seismic hazard remediation
- Site geologic and seismologic background assessment
- Seismic hazard assessment, design parameters, and design criteria
- Subsurface investigations and site classification
- Dynamic soil property measurement in field and laboratory
- Liquefaction potential
- Liquefaction effect on structures
- Ground acceleration and displacement estimates
- Soil amplification studies
- Dynamic earth pressure assessment
- Acceleration time histories for time domain analysis
- Definition of spectral acceleration
- Soil-structure interaction analyses
- Spatial variability of ground motions including topographic effects
Code Compliance and Design Optimization
The potential for damage by earthquakes is a serious threat to property and public safety. Even in areas where earthquakes are rare, building codes require structural designs to consider these seismic events.
OPTIMIZE YOUR SEISMIC DESIGNS!
Performing site specific studies often reduces structural detailing requirements and lowers
construction cost because generic Code design parameters are necessarily conservative. Seismic designs which use site specific information provide construction savings, compared to designs which use conservative Code default values.
For example, for Site Classification E, site specific testing and analysis often results in design acceleration coefficients below Code values, and can improve the Seismic Design Category by a class group. Code procedure to derive the Maximum Considered Earthquake (MCE) acceleration response spectrum (SA) is shown at right.
Projects with special seismic design needs will benefit from the value added by MRCE's Geo-Seismic expertise. MRCE has provided Geo-Seismic services for more than 100 projects, ranging from high-rise buildings to underground structures, and has participated on building code committees and worked with public agencies to develop seismic Codes.
Seismic Design Terminology
Occupancy Category, defined by the Owner based on consequences of failure and the need for operational accessibility following a seismic event. The Occupancy Category ranges from I to IV (most stringent).
Seismic Design Category, based on Occupancy Category, defines the level of structural seismic analysis, lateral force analysis methods, and construction detailing required for seismic resistance. The Seismic Design Category ranges from A to F (most stringent).
Seismic Hazard, based on the seismic activity of the project site (geographic location), defines the seismic ground motion parameters for analysis. The Code uses the 2002 USGS hazard maps to define spectral acceleration coefficients Ss and S1, which correspond to collapse prevention motion for the Maximum Considered Earthquake (MCE). These coefficients are modified by Site Classification coefficients to determine the site design response spectrum.
Site Classification, based on soil profile, ranges from A (hard rock) to F (most stringent). Coefficients Fa and Fv are determined in the Site Classification process. Site Classification F, which includes soil profiles with liquefiable soil or thick compressible clay or peat deposits, requires site-specific studies to define design acceleration values. The Code default acceleration values for Site Classifications A through E can be reduced up to 20% if a site specific study is performed.
Field and Laboratory Measurement of Dynamic Properties
MRCE's testing expertise and experience in earthquake engineering includes:
In-Situ Field Testing Services
- Crosshole Seismic Testing (CS)
- Downhole Seismic Testing (DS)
- Parallel Seismic Testing
Laboratory Testing Services
Instrumentation / Equipment for Seismic
Testing and Vibration Monitoring
- Crosshole/Downhole System CS/DS-2
- Source PS-V
- Freedom Data PC
- Testing depths up to 300 feet
- Seismographs for vibration monitoring
- Velocity transducers and accelerometers
- Inclinometers
Geo-Seismic Analysis & Design
MRCE has special expertise and experience in earthquake engineering. Our analysis and design expertise includes:
- Site classification and code applications
- Soil amplification and seismic load estimates
- Liquefaction hazard assessment and remediation designs
- Seismic hazard and risk analysis
- Use of GIS (Geographic Information Systems) in analysis and client data assembly
- Soil-Structure interaction analysis for shallow and deep foundations
- Computer modeling
- Dynamic response of retaining walls and underground structures
- Slope stability under seismic load
MRCE offers clients added value by and performing seismic testing using experienced staff to define design parameters and design services. We have provided design parameters for site-specific seismic analyses for well over 100 buildings, bridges and transportation projects for the new Seismic Code requirements for projects located in the New York metro area, around the USA, and around the world.
Seismic Code Development Experience
MRCE staff members have participated as members of these committees:
- Structural Code Committee of American Council of Engineering Companies of New York (ACEC New York)
- Structural Code Committee of Structural Engineers Association of New York (SEAoNY)
- Development of the seismic design provisions for the New York City Building Department Code and implementation of IBC within the new code
- Review of the new International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Standard on Seismic Actions on Geotechnical Works
- The adhoc review of the Liquefaction Criteria of the 1995 NYC Seismic Code for Structural Engineers Association of New York (SEAoNY)
- The evaluation of the site factors in the Seismic Criteria Guidelines for Bridges of NYC Department of Transportation (NYCDOT).
- EuroCode EC-8
MRCE Seismic Research Collaboration Experience
MRCE has collaborated on seismic research with the following public agencies and educational institutions:
- University of California at Berkeley
- State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo, NY
- Shimizu Institute of Technology, Japan
- Columbia University, New York, NY
- Alaska Department of Transportation
- Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
- Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
- National Technical University, Athens, Greece
- MCEER at Buffalo
- Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Germany
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