A Method of Predicting Seismic Damage to Residential-Type Structures from Underground Nuclear Explosions
Abstract
A method of predicting seismic damage from underground nuclear explosions is discussed. The method is a fast and inexpensive way to estimate damage costs and (although less detailed than more formal methods) it provides a dollar estimate of damages accurate enough for planning purposes. The two most important factors affecting the amount of damages are magnitude of ground motion and number of structures near the shot. Ground motion response depends primarily on event yield, distance from source to structures, source geology media, and depth of burial (DOB). With these factors known, a method can be developed for determining the pseudo absolute acceleration (PSAA). The number of structures can generally be estimated from the census data for surrounding towns and cities. Complaints and claims for one- and two- story structures can then be estimated from a graph correlating the PSAA and the percentage of structures expected to be damaged.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 20, 1970
- Accession Number
- ADA385002
Entities
People
- G. C. Rizer
Organizations
- University of California