Older BuildingsWhat You Need to Know and Understand

Utah Seismic Safety Commission

Barry H. Welliver, S.E.

Utah Seism

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Outline Agenda

• Utah Seismic Safety Commission• Existing Buildings • Why You Should Care about

Unreinforced Masonry Bldgs.• What’s Being Done Now• What Can/Should Be Done

Utah Seism

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Utah Seismic Safety Commission

• Created in 1994 as a state advisory commission

• Comprised of 15 members– UGS, OES, U of U Seismograph, ULCT, DFCM, UDOT, State Planning

Coordinator, AIA, SEAU, ASCE, House Rep., Senate, Dept. Insurance, ACP,

APWA. Ex Officio members: FEMA Region 8; USGS

• Review earthquake hazards/risks

• Prepare mitigation recommendations

• Prioritize recommendations

• Information resource

• Prepare strategic plan

• Periodically update strategic plan

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Existing Buildings

• Structural Engineers Viewpoint– Current Codes vs. Existing Construction

– Bldg. Types and Performance

– What we know about bldg. performance in EQ’s

• Historical Perspective in Utah

• Why are URM’s a concern in Utah– Not a bldg type allowed for current construction

– Performance history well documented

– Not “tested” by earthquake

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Why You Should Care About URM’s

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Because Pat Bagley Thinks So!

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What You Should Know About URM’s

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Utah Seism

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Utah Seism

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Utah Seism

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HAZUS

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What’s Being Done Now

• Utah Uniform Bldg. Standard Act Rules Amendments

– 3403.5 Parapets and other appendages

– 1614.2 Change in Occupancy

• Local Building Official Enforcement

• Structural Engineers Recommendations

• Preparation for adoption (allowance) of the International Existing Building Code

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What

Can/Should

Be Done

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Thank You

Questions

http://cem.utah.gov/ussc/ Utah State Capitol Seismic Retrofit