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The focus of the building code is life safety. The primary focus of the structural engineer, both from a gravity and seismic safety perspective, is the structural system. However, in an earthquake the dollar losses and interruption of business arising from nonstructural damage can be a multiple of structural losses. Items that are not part of the structural system, but are affixed to the structure, are considered "nonstructural” elements, and include such elements as:
The
Standards of Seismic Safety for Existing Federal Buildings require
consideration of nonstructural as well as structural components
that may pose an appreciable threat to life Safety. R&C has substantial experience in nonstructural protection in seismic-resistant design of anchorages for critical nonstructural elements, particularly for research, industrial and hospital equipment. William Holmes’ experience over the past 15 years includes involvement as Project Director for major nonstructural survey/report projects for the VA and the US Navy, development of seismic protection guidelines for FIMSC regarding nonstructural building systems and elements, and development of design guidelines for nonstructural elements of worldwide OBO projects. WAI has extensive experience with seismic protection of nonstructural components. Experience includes:
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