1.

1 Introduction

This module aims to introduce the basic concepts of Earthquake Engineering.

What is earthquake engineering?

Earthquake Engineering definitions ranged from the perspective in socioeconomic effects to development as a branch of engineering with the
estimation of earthquake consequences and the mitigation of these consequences (Elnashai and Sarno, 2015). Bozorgnia and Bertero (2006)
define earthquake engineering (EE) as an integration of multidisciplinary knowledge in several areas of basic sciences and science-based
engineering with the ultimate goal of reducing the seismic risks to socioeconomically acceptable levels.  In earthquake engineering a wide range
of knowledge that includes geophysics, geology, seismology, vibration theory, structural dynamics, materials dynamics, structural engineering,
and construction techniques are necessary. More specifically, earthquake engineering is the application of this knowledge to the single objective
of building structures that are safe against earthquakes (Okamoto, 1973). Earthquake engineering broadly encompasses all non-technical, as
well as technical efforts directed toward minimizing the harmful effects of earthquakes (Housner, 1984).  

Casualties of earthquakes
Figure 1-1 depicts the loss of lives caused by earthquakes averaging 10,000 people each year from 1900 to 1980.  Effects on socioeconomic
impacts in a UNESCO study that reported damage losses amounting to $10,000,000,000 from 1926 to 1950 from earthquakes.

The motivation for the Scientific Study of Earthquakes

The motivation for the scientific study of earthquakes came from the extensive fieldwork of the Irish engineer, Robert Mallett. He set out to
explain how the mass of stone and mortar was dislocated in terms of mechanical principles and establishes basic vocabulary such as
seismology, hypocenter, and isoseismal.  From then on seismology and engineering close links have continued ever since.  Seismology is the
scientific study of earthquakes. 

Earthquake Prediction
Prediction of the strong motion earthquake is expected for the large amplitude-long duration shaking observed in damaging earthquakes.  The
great seismological advances occurred in studying waves from distant earthquakes using very sensitive seismographs but not much
fundamental work was done by seismologists on the rarer large earthquakes of engineering importance because of the deficiency of the usual
seismograph before. 

After the 1971 San Fernando earthquake several factors emerged such as topographic amplification and the construction of realistic models of
fault-rupture and travel-path that could explain the strong motion patterns, variation in ground motions, a harvest of strong-motion recordings
were obtained in the latter earthquake and availability of digital recorders and fast computers that both seismologists and engineers can tackle
more fundamental and realistic problems of earthquake generation and ground shaking.

Advancement in earthquake engineering 

Strategic location for sited strong-motion accelerographs in seismic areas of the world enabled knowledge of strong ground shaking.  Seismic
records had been digitized and were available for use in research or practice,  use of appropriate analysis such as quantitative dynamic analysis
for the structural design of structures in earthquake-prone regions, the requirement for seismic intensity and input motions, or spectra of defining
parameters.  Predicted seismograms (time-histories) for dynamic modeling in structural design or vulnerability assessments are often needed.

References 
BOLT, B. A. 2008. The nature of earthquake ground motion. In: NAEIM, F. (ed.) The Seismic Design Handbook. US: Springer US