Designing for Earthquakes: A Manual for Architects (FEMA 454)

Currently no single publication exists that provides up-to-date information necessary to architects, presented in a form that is attractive, readable, and intelligible to a non-specialist audience. This revised publication will fill that gap. The present publication consists of a series of chapters that provide the foundation for an understanding of seismic design, each authored by an expert in the field. The authors were given freedom to decide the scope of their chapters; and thus this publication represents expert opinion rather than consensus. Designing for Earthquakes: a Manual for Architects is intended to explain the principles of seismic design for those without a technical background in engineering and seismology. The primary intended audience is that of architects and includes practicing architects, architectural students, and faculty in architectural schools who teach structures and seismic design. Visit the website to download all or part of this manual.