USGS Open-File Report 00-157: Seismic Instrumentation of Buildings

Seismic Instrumentation of Buildings

By Mehmet Çelebi

Abstract

The purpose of this report is to provide information on how and why we deploy seismic instruments in and around building structures.

The recorded response data from buildings and other instrumented structures can be and are being primarily used to facilitate necessary studies to improve building codes and therefore reduce losses of life and property during damaging earthquakes. Other uses of such data can be in emergency response situations in large urban environments.

The report discusses typical instrumentation schemes, existing instrumentation programs, the steps generally followed in instrumenting a structure, selection and type of instruments, installation and maintenance requirements and data retrieval and processing issues. In addition, a summary section on how recorded response data have been utilized is included. The benefits from instrumentation of structural systems are discussed.

First posted February 28, 2001

Report PDF (753 kB)

For additional information, contact:
Earthquake Science Center, Menlo Park
U.S. Geological Survey
345 Middlefield Road MS 977
Menlo Park, California 94025

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Suggested citation:

Çelebi, Mehmet, 2000, Seismic Instrumentation of Buildings: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 00-157, 37 pp., http://pubs.usgs.ogv/of/2000/0157/.

Contents

Introduction

Steps in Instrumenting a Structure

Selection and Installation of Instruments

Maintenance

Data Retrieval and Processing

Utilization of data from Instrumented Structures

Cost/Budget Issues

Conclusions