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WEB-BASED HANDBOOK (Legacy Edition). CLICK HERE to submit comments.
Because of staff changes and Randolph Langenbach's retirement from FEMA, these handbooks were never published on the FEMA website.  These are the only copies available.

 FEMA HAZARD MITIGATION
 HANDBOOK SERIES

-----HOME PAGE-----

 

 EARTHQUAKE HANDBOOK
________________________________ 
 
    Introduction
 
     Symbols and Keywords
 
 I.       BUILDING STRUCTURES
     A.    Introduction

    B.    Intro to Seismic Upgrading

    C.    Structural Concepts  

        C1. Technical Commentary (1)

        C2. Technical Commentary (2)

    D.    Step 1: Risk Assessment

        D1. Upgrade Priority

        D2. Geographical Risk

        D3. Building Structural Types

        D4. Year of Construction

        D5. Load-path Assets+Debits

        D6. Rapid Visual Survey Sheet
     E.    Step 2: Mitigation Measures

 

II.      UTILITY SYSTEMS

    A.     Introduction

    B.     Utility Mitigation Measures

 

 Appendices
     A.      Regulations
     B.      Glossary
     C.      Acronyms
     D.      References
     E.      List of Contributors

RETURN TO MITIGATION MEASURES PAGE

Brace Parapets

Brick parapets are typically mounted along the tops of unreinforced masonry buildings. Parapets are heavy, brittle, and typically collapse near the centers of long walls or at corners. Parapet damage or failure is a common result of earthquakes. Parapets can be braced from the rear using steel angle braces anchored into the parapet and connected to the roof framing. Parapets can also be braced using reinforced concrete or shotcrete placed behind the parapet and anchored. Reducing the height of parapets also reduces the seismic load on the parapet by reducing the weight. 

Effectiveness:

  • Very effective.
  • Consider adding tension ties and/or shear anchors to exterior walls to increase effectiveness.

Limitations:

  • Parapet bracing will impose additional forces on roof elements of a building.

Anchor Cornices and Architectural Elements

Architectural building elements such as cornices, corbels, and spandrels often fail during a seismic event. These building elements can be anchored from the outside by installing anchors with exterior washer plates, or from the inside using either countersunk plates and/or epoxy anchors. For heavy and ornate cornice work, the cornice can be removed and reconstructed by using a lighter material such as lightweight concrete or plaster. 

Effectiveness:

  • Very effective.

Limitations:

  • Elements should be checked to ensure they can carry the seismic loads imposed by the corrective measures (See p. 37).

 

 

NOTE:  None of the mitigation measures in these Handbooks should be considered ‘pre-approved’ or otherwise automatically eligible for FEMA funding. Only FEMA staff can determine eligibility, once they have determined that an applicant is eligible and they have reviewed a project proposal.

FEMA HAZARD MITIGATION HANDBOOKS                                                                        Updated: June 13, 2002