2007 WSSPC Annual Conference 

Risk Communication, Building Codes, and Consequences: The Future of Earthquake Safety in the U.S. 

At the 2007 Western States Seismic Policy Council (WSSPC) Annual Conference, the Nation’s top-caliber scientists and engineers will be speaking about the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program; earthquake provisions in the International Building Code; creating a new generation of effective earthquake safety, preparedness, and mitigation messages; performance-based engineering issues; and earthquake disaster scenarios for major cities in the United States, including San Francisco, Salt Lake City, and Seattle.   

WSSPC is pleased to be holding this year’s meeting with the International Code Council’s annual conference and education program. The conference features a joint WSSPC-ICC education session that is eligible for Continuing Education Credits (CEUs), several technical sessions with panel and audience discussions, and a field trip. 

WSSPC Opening Session

The Opening Session will set the stage for the WSSPC-ICC joint education session by addressing the new technical changes to the National Seismic Hazards Maps.  What we have learned from a recent earthquake in Hawaii will be factored in, concluding with an understanding of the role the state seismic commissions play in influencing building code decisions. 

WSSPC/ICC Joint Education Session: Earthquake Hazards and Building Codes

The joint WSSPC-ICC education session, Earthquake Hazards and Building Codes, will cover national earthquake programs and research that provide input into the earthquake aspects of the International Building Code.   First, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the lead agency for the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency will present overviews of their earthquake programs.  The U.S. Geological Survey will review the earthquake hazards of the United States and present the new National Seismic Hazard Maps, which serve as the ground-motion basis for calibrating levels of seismic-resistance design.  New seismic provisions for the building codes based on contemporary research and lessons learned from earthquakes will be presented along with their rationale for adoption.  There will be a discussion on the many realities of building code adoption including culture, economics, local politics, and human resources. Successful code adoptions and issues that inhibit code adoption will be presented. 

Effectively Communicating Earthquake Risk Mitigation

Communicating earthquake messages, especially when earthquakes are low-frequency events with great consequences, is a challenge.  Recent reviews of the public state of awareness and preparedness associated with the 1906 San Francisco earthquake centennial provide a benchmark to gauge the effectiveness of an earthquake message.  This session on creating a new, effective earthquake message will use strategies in marketing, communications, and sociology as a basis for success.  We seek to develop language and approaches for effectively communicating earthquake hazard, risk, safety, preparedness, and mitigation.  Our goal is to have messages that will significantly increase the number of earthquake-savvy and prepared citizens, and promote an earthquake-aware culture in the United States. 

Earthquake Scenarios and Performance-Based Codes

As a reality check to the more statistical or empirical methods involved in codes and risk analysis and to appreciate the high consequence nature of earthquakes, three earthquake scenarios of major cities in the United States will be presented.  The scenarios will include potential loss information, impacts on infrastructure and economics, and the spatial extent of impacts from major earthquakes near these cities.  A fundamental cornerstone of an earthquake-resistant society is well-designed and constructed buildings and other structures.  For some buildings life-safety considerations may be adequate, but for buildings that are expected to be operational following an earthquake, a higher level of performance is required.  The evolving engineering practice of performance-based design is the answer and future directions will be illustrated.  Lastly, a Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency (DHS/FEMA) representative will describe FEMA’s role and resources following a disaster, such as the earthquake scenarios being presented. 

The presentation format of the technical sessions will be 20-minute talks followed by a short question-and-answer period.  A joint speaker panel discussion will be held at the end of each session to develop overarching ideas and answer important questions. 

Who Should Attend

This conference will be a unique gathering of earthquake scientists, emergency managers, engineers, and building department representatives.  Participants will have a first-hand opportunity to hear and ask questions of this stellar group of speakers.  Don’t miss out!   

Field Trip

A field trip will give an overview of local earthquake geology, review emergency response issues such as post-disaster building inspections, and view the engineering and seismological laboratories at the University of Nevada, Reno.  Research is being conducted at the university to develop new knowledge about failure modes of structures, such as bridges, and to further our understanding of earthquakes and shaking phenomena.   Early registration is encouraged!

2007 WSSPC - ICC Annual Conference

Risk Communication, Building Codes, and Consequences: The Future of Earthquake Safety in the U.S.

September 30 - October 3, 2007
Grand Sierra Resort
Reno, Nevada

Popularity: 9% [?]

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