For the first time in the U.S., national construction standards will address the risk of tsunamis.
The American Society of Civil Engineers has developed a new edition of ASCE 7-16, the first to include a chapter on tsunami hazards, in addition to chapters on seismic, wind, and flood hazards. The tsunami standards are only for steel-reinforced concrete buildings in “inundation zones.” They will not apply to wood-frame structures.
The committee that developed the new standard began work in late 2010, a few months before the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan.
“We weren’t reacting,” according to Dan Cox of Oregon State University, a professor of civil and construction engineering in the OSU College of Engineering, and one of about 20 engineers on the ASCE committee that developed them. “We were trying to do this in advance. After the 2011 event, interest accelerated regarding how to build things safely in a tsunami zone, and it was important that the subcommittee contained people familiar with how codes work and academic researchers who can bring in the latest advances.”
The tsunami standards will have the most impact on engineers designing and building structures less than about five stories in height. Above five stories, even-stronger building codes will take precedence over codes to protect smaller structures from tsunamis. The new standards can also be used on retrofit projects.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jan 3, 2020
Labor supply and capability of workers worry contractors
Three out of four firms plan to add workers in 2020.
Codes and Standards | Jan 3, 2020
Car-free streets could become common in major cities
New York and San Francisco establish thoroughfares dedicated to transit, pedestrians.
Codes and Standards | Jan 2, 2020
CRE professionals have increased interest in embodied carbon accounting, smart buildings
Survey also shows that interest in resiliency lags behind.
Codes and Standards | Jan 2, 2020
White paper focuses on Metal Composite Material labeling
Document part of effort to uphold industry standards for the product.
Codes and Standards | Dec 18, 2019
Hard Rock Hotel collapse in New Orleans puts spotlight on undocumented workers
Having helped rebuild the city after Hurricane Katrina, many under threat of deportation.
Codes and Standards | Dec 18, 2019
Maryland lawmakers take on blocked sidewalks during construction projects
Legislation clarifies developers’ responsibilities.
Codes and Standards | Dec 18, 2019
New York City passes legislation to prevent bird strikes on buildings
Requires bird-safe materials on first 75 feet of a structure.
Codes and Standards | Dec 16, 2019
New Buildings Institute seeks entries for Zero Buildings Database
Listing illustrates feasibility of ultra low-energy buildings.
Codes and Standards | Dec 13, 2019
USGBC launches new tool to prioritize sustainability strategies
Highlights building design features that can lead to better performance.
Codes and Standards | Dec 12, 2019
Coalition calls for consistent building data disclosure regulations in Canada
Major real estate firms are driving the effort.