Preparing for the Big One: Assessing American Building Codes

Preparing for the Big One: Assessing American Building Codes

Preparing for the Big One: Assessing American Building Codes

Audio files and PowerPoint presentations from an ENR-moderated panel discussion on June 8, 2010 discussing US seismic codes in the context of the observations made from the recent Haiti and Chile earthquakes.

The 2010 earthquakes in Haiti and Chile reinforced the importance of building codes. Are regions in the United States just as vulnerable to a catastrophic earthquake? David Applegate, Senior Science Advisor for Earthquake and Geologic Hazards at the U.S. Geological Survey; Michael J. Armstrong, Senior Vice President, International Code Council; and Michael Mahoney, Geophysicist, Federal Emergency Management Agency discuss the state of seismic building codes around the country. Tom Ichniowski, DC Bureau Chief for Engineering News-Record, moderates.

[Source: National Building Museum via ENR. Image: David Applegate presentation, nbm.org]