05-21-2013

STRONG-MOTION SEISMIC

INSTRUMENTATION FOR

BUILDINGS

(STRUCTURAL HEALTH MONITORING)

2010 NATIONAL STRUCTURAL CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES (NSCP)

1997 UNIFORM BUILDING CODE (UBC - ICBO)

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY (USGS)

PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE OF VOLCANOLOGY & SEISMOLOGY (PHIVOLCS)

GeoSIG LTD.

BY

DOMINGO G. LIMETA, JR. AND ALBERTO S. MENDIOLA

SEISMIC ENGINEERING CONSULTANT

NONSTRUCTURAL HAZARD MITIGATION - SEISMIC HAZARD REDUCTION PROGRAM

J. BEAP INDUSTRIES, INC. METROPOLITAN MANILA. PHILIPPINES

I. INTRODUCTION

The strong-motion seismic instrumentation intended for the

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) of buildings, bridges, dams,

water reservoirs, elevated railways, and skyways is a very complex

task requiring broad and in-depth knowledge about :

• Seismic (Earthquake) Engineering / Seismology.

• Geophysics / Geotechnical Engineering.

• Civil Engineering / Structural Engineering.

• Electronics-Communication / Computer Engineering.

The SHM is another field of engineering & technical specialization

requiring a team of professionals as mentioned above.

In various countries around the world including the Philippines

being prone to Major Earthquake disturbances, there has been an

increasing concern on the SHM technology consisting of digital data

acquisition system being integrated to the internet data

transferring network. Several decades ago, it was recorded by

various government earthquake monitoring agencies and engineers

around the world that many buildings and infrastructures were

damaged and others collapsed due to Major Earthquakes. Other

buildings and infrastructures survived but sustained minor to

severe structural concrete cracks and physical deformations.

Due to the above earthquake scenarios, the need for SHM becomes

very essential requirements and the utmost attention for SHM

becomes decisive.

Presently, the seismic precision & monitoring instruments for SHM

are so advanced due to research progress and developments in the

semiconductors, electronics, and communication technologies to

monitor earthquakes and other natural disturbances, such as

land-slides, ground liquefactions, and volcanic activities creating

ground tremors.

Recently, the J. BEAP INDUSTRIES, INC. signed a Partnership

Agreement with GeoSIG Ltd. of Switzerland for SHM of buildings,

bridges, dams, water reservoirs, elevated railways, and skyways in

the Philippines. GeoSIG Ltd., is one of the world’s well-respected

and well-known designers and manufacturers of Scientific &

Engineering Precision Monitoring Instruments for seismic

(earthquake) and other geo-hazards applications.

Since 1992, GeoSIG, Ltd. and partners around the world have been

composed of highly experience professionals in the field of

Seismology, Earthquake Engineering, Civil Engineering, &

Geophysics, as well as ECE / Computer Systems & Networks

Engineering.

Today, GeoSIG Scientific & Engineering Precision-Monitoring

Instruments for seismology and geophysics are at work in more

than 100 countries around the world.

While BEAP INDUSTRIES, INC., with years of vast experience in the

field of Nonstructural Hazards Mitigation - Seismic Hazards

Reduction Program (NHM-SHRP) has in-depth knowledge in Seismic

(Earthquake) Engineering for more than a decade and the pioneer

in the Philippines. We understand the seismic provisions of the

various Building Model Codes & Standards, understanding of

Seismic Hazard Maps (Peak Ground Acceleration Scenarios,

Intensity Scenarios, Liquefaction Potential Scenarios, Seismic Zones,

Near Source Factor, Philippines Active Fault Parameters, Spectral

Response both Ss & S1, Acceleration g, Seismic Base Shear, Seismic

Horizontal & Vertical Loads, Fundamental Period, Occupancy

Category, Importance Factor, Response Modification Factor,

Amplification Factor, and other seismic parameters, criteria, and

factors making an excellent partner of GeoSIG Ltd.

This engineering / technical article will be focused mainly on the

SHM of buildings. The SHM intended for bridges, dams, water

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reservoirs, elevated railways, and skyways shall be discussed

separately. They will be presented in our next article.

II. HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENTS

For the past several decades, the Structural Health Monitoring

(SHM) for buildings, bridges, dams, elevated railways, and skyways

were not given an much attention. Many buildings and other

infrastructures mentioned above have no installed or operational

Seismic Monitoring Instruments intended to continuously monitor

their structural health and integrity. Without these instruments, no

monitoring records can be presented to determine the integrity

and serviceability of the building before, during, and most

especially in an aftermath of a Major Earthquake.

However, for the past several years many professionals and

government agencies in the building industries and infrastructures

in Taiwan, Japan, Indonesia, New Zealand, United States, Canada,

Italy, Turkey, Switzerland, and other countries believed in the

importance and necessity of SHM for buildings, bridges, dams,

elevated railways, skyways, and to include the thermal & nuclear

power-plants to monitor the effects of Major Earthquakes. They

saw various cracks at the structural concrete elements, structural

drifts, settlements, and other forms of structural deformations.

Today, the modern world is moving ahead for an advance and

comprehensive SHM technological trend. The United States

Geological Survey (USGS) is one of the leading agencies in the

United States, as well as other agencies of various countries. In the

Philippines, the leading agency for monitoring earthquake

disturbances and volcanic activities is the Philippine Institute Of

Volcanology & Seismology (PHIVOLCS) under the Department Of

Science & Technology (DOST). The PHIVOLCS is also in partner with

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA),

Metropolitan Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study

(MMEIRS), and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

According to various news (media), the Department Of Public

Works & Highways (DPWH) joined forces with PHIVOLCS for

disaster preparedness. And of course, the National Disaster Risk

Reduction And Management Council (NDRRMC) is also an active

government agency for disaster preparedness.

The USGS also joined efforts with PHIVOLCS in a monitoring and

hazard assessments, “PHIVOLCS-USGS Radio-Telemetered Seismic

Networks.” The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) is also working

together with PHIVOLCS.

For the past several decades and before year 2000, the Uniform

Building Code (UBC) was the widely used Building Model Code in

the United States. The 1997 UBC and earlier editions recommended

that for Seismic Zone 3 & Zone 4, a minimum of three

Accelerographs be placed in every building which are over than

6-stories having an aggregate floor area of 60,000 square feet or

more, and every building over 10-stories regardless of the floor

area. The requirement of the UBC was to monitor rather than to

analyze the complete response modes and characteristics.

Based from experiences, the three Tri-Axial Accelerographs

required by the UBC within the building are not sufficient to

perform meaningful model verifications. Rojahn and Matthiesen

concluded that a minimum of twelve Horizontal Accelerometers

would be necessary for high-rise buildings. However, many still

believe that the required numbers of Accelerometers within the

building will depend on the geometrical construction (building’s

shape or figure) and of course the number of floors.

The most crucial building of all buildings requiring absolute SHM is

no other than hospitals and other health-care facilities being

classified as Essential Facilities and Importance Factor = 1.50. It

does not mean that the other buildings will not require SHM.

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Actually, every building with many occupants shall require seismic

instrumentation intended for SHM.

According to various professionals in the field of Seismic

(Earthquake) Engineering Consultancy, the countries that are now

extensively implementing SHM for buildings and other

infrastructures are :

• United States

• Canada

• Japan

• Taiwan

• Indonesia

• New Zealand

• Turkey

• Italy

• Switzerland. The Philippines will surely catch-up.

III. ABOUT SHM

It is known as Structural Health Monitoring. In this engineering /

technical article, our main focus is for building only. The SHM is the

process of assessing the building’s structural health by detecting

damages before the critical state and to allow rapid assessment

aftermath of Major Earthquake event.

IV. PERFORMANCE GOAL

To improve the safety and reliability of operational building and to

determine the integrity of the building if it can still be able to

operate or resume operation aftermath of Major Earthquake, and

to safeguard human lives (building occupants, personnel, visitors)

that the building is still structurally strong and will not collapse.

V. QUESTIONS FOR THE BUILDING OWNER

The building owner requiring strong-motion seismic

instrumentation intended for SHM must be asked first.

• Besides for seismic application, is the effect of wind load

caused by storm, typhoon, or super-typhoon is to be

Included in the monitoring ?

• What kind of set-up will the building owner prefer to install,

will it be :

Global Sensor Network System ?

or

Local Sensor Network System .?

Of course, the entire cost of the system is always the utmost

concern of the building owner acquiring strong-motion seismic

instrumentation for building’s SHM. Usually, the cost and

justifications will be discussed with the building owner and the

company providing seismic instrumentation and services for

building’s SHM.

The force of earthquakes will be imparted to the buildings and the

effects are to be monitored, the wind load is also being imparted to

the building. But perhaps everyone will agree that for a very strong-

built building, the earthquake force is the most devastating than

wind load. It was historically recorded that the collapse of most

buildings was due to earthquake forces and earthquake generated

liquefaction at the building’s foundation and not the wind load. So

the building owner may perhaps demand for seismic application

only. The random strong ground motions at the building’s

foundation will exhibit base-shear. The series of earthquake

generated lateral forces will be imparted to the building structural

elements and will create building drift. The strong ground motions

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at the building’s foundation may create building settlement

particularly due to the earthquake generated underground

liquefaction, and the strength of earthquake generated

acceleration g at ground floor, middle floors, and roof-deck level.

The expected scenarios during and aftermath of Major Earthquake

must be clearly explained to the building owner, likewise, the

effects of earthquake forces to the building itself.

The best candidate who can explain to the building owner is the

one who has in-depth knowledge about Seismic (Earthquake)

Engineering, Structural Engineering, and Geophysics or

Geotechnical Engineering, and the one who really understand the

seismic provisions of the applicable Building Model Codes &

Standards.

The Electronics-Communication / Computer Engineers are only to

explain the data acquisition, system’s networks, data transmission,

and the functionality of the seismic instruments and associated

software program, but not about the effects of earthquakes and

behavior of ground motions and building motions.

According to various professionals, there are few companies

offering their services for building’s SHM but lack of in-depth

knowledge about Seismic (Earthquake) Engineering and

understanding of Geo-Hazards and will only bring the building’s

SHM into a halt. Again, in-depth knowledge about seismic

(earthquake), geo-hazards, and the structural understanding of

buildings are needed and a must.

The majority of the building owners may always prefer the Local

Sensor Network System, while others may prefer the Global Sensor

Network System.

Therefore, as much as possible, the strong-motion seismic

instrumentation intended for building’s SHM shall be cost-effective

but excellent functionality and high-performance as always

expected by the building owner and will satisfy the building risk

insurer. In short, cost-effective but will perform the expected task.

VI. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GLOBAL SENSOR NETWORK SYSTEM

AND LOCAL SENSOR NETWORK SYSTEM

According from Prof. Isao Nishimura (Advanced Research Center,

Tokyo City University - 1-28-1 Tamazutsumi, Setagaya, Tokyo 158-

8557, Japan.) the Sensor Network is a system with :

• Building having multiple PCs with Sensors all hook-up to the

Internet, PC with Sensors from another locations, Remote PC

for downloading data which are also hook-up to the Internet.

• Building having PC with multiple Accelerometers with A/D

Converter and Data Logger interfaced to a Gateway Computer

hook-up to the Internet and a PC for setting-up (LAN - Local

Area Network).

There is also an Ordinary Data Acquisition Systems where the

Accelerometer Sensors / Recorder - Digitizers distributed within the

entire building and hook-up to a dedicated Control PC.

The building owner will absolutely select the type of system’s

set-up they prefer and again the bottom line is always the cost of

the entire system and this issue is very important.

VII. HARDWIRE AND WIRELESS DATA ACQUISITION NETWORK

Various professionals say that hard- wire data acquisition system

network is expensive due to the cost per meter of signal cables &

power supply cables that are intended for the Accelerometers and

Recorder-Digitizers

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distributed within the building. While others say wireless data

acquisition system network is cost-effective due to absence of

signal cables and power supply cables, less cost. But the cost of the

wireless antenna receivers / transmitters are somewhat costly too.

Hard wire system network is much faster and secured. Some

professionals said that it is less-immune while others said

virtually-immune to the surrounding electrical or electronic noises.

Hard wire signal cables have grounding-shield.

Wireless system network send and receive data through radio

waves and no signal cables are required. Some professionals said

that wireless system network is susceptible to electrical &

electronic generated noises or other interfering signals coming

from mobile phones, VHF / UHF mobile radio of security personnel

of the building, and other electrically powered units. Some

professionals stated that the transmitted and received radio wave

signals are being attenuated due to thickness of structural concrete

inside the building.

This issue can be discussed further that both hardwire and wireless

system network have advantages and disadvantages. We will need

the advice of the E.C.E. / Computer Engineers or Technicians, they

know these issues.

VIII. INITIAL ASSESSMENTS OF THE BUILDING SUBJECT FOR

THOROUGH EVALUATIONS

Before executing any works for building’s SHM, selection of Strong-

Motion Accelerometers, Recorders / Digitizers, and other

associated components and accessories, as well as the information

about the building itself must be determined.

Again, the building information should be gathered first. The

location of the building (physical address), the age of the building,

what model codes the building was designed and constructed,

number of floors (total building height), elevation and floor plans,

building’s fundamental period of vibration, type of structural

elements, maximum allowable building drift, allowable inter-story

drift, seismic base shear, and the site soil class.

Seismic Hazard Maps are very crucial too. What is the minimum

and maximum expected peak ground acceleration scenarios in g,

intensity scenarios in MMI, potential liquefaction scenarios,

distance to seismic source if any, seismic source type, seismic zone,

natural ground period, and other pertinent information.

Without the above information, it will be difficult for any Systems /

Network Engineer(s) to immediately carry-out the selection of the

appropriate seismic instrumentation units, and other associated

components which are intended for building’s SHM.

*******************************************************

J. BEAP INDUSTRIES, INC. & GeoSIG Ltd. will now elaborate further the above Section VIII “INITIAL

ASSESSMENTS OF THE BUILDING SUBJECT FOR THOROUGH

EVALUATIONS.”

EXAMPLE :

Name Of Building : CBL Building

Physical Address : 5P Pasay Road, Makati City.

Philippines.

Function : 30-story office building being

occupied by various companies.

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Approx. Number : More than 300 people but not more

Occupants than 400, including the building’s

operation & maintenance personnel

and security personnel.

Occupancy : Special Occupancy Structure, as per

Category 1997 UBC. The building was designed

and constructed in year 1997 ~ 1998

and become fully operational in year

2003. The building is now 10-years

old.

No. Of Floors : 30-Floor from ground floor + roof-

deck, with three basements, two

for car parks and one for mechanical

and electrical room.

Seismic Zone : 4

Effective Peak : 0.40 g

Ground

Acceleration

Site Soil Class : Class SB

Rock, Shear Wave Velocity 2,500

To 5,000 Feet Per Second. If unkown,

use SD as default.

Seismic Source : A

Type

Distance To Near : Approx. 5-Kilometers but not more

Seismic Source than 10-Kilometers away from the

West Valley Fault System capable to

unleash Major Earthquake Magnitude

7.0 or higher in the Richter Scale.

PGA Scenario : For Makati City the expected PGA =

0.30 g ~ 60 g and may reach up to

1.0 g

Intensity Scenario : For Makati City the expected Intensity

MMI = IX up to X.

Potential : None to low

Liquefaction

Scenario

Sources : PHIVOLCS, MMEIRS,

MMDA, & JICA.

Fundamental : Approx. 1.63 Second or higher

Period

Structural : 8.0 Reinforced Concrete

Response Factor

Importance Factor : 1.0

Max. Building : 355 Feet. from ground floor to

Height roof-deck.

Max. Allowable : Shall Not Exceed 7.10 Inches

Building Drift As per Maximum Inelastic Response

Displacement - 1997 UBC.

Building’s Seismic : Shall be determined by the Design

Base Shear Structural Engineer as per 1997 UBC,

V = (3.0 Ca / R) W

And to include the Vertical

Distribution Of Seismic Loads

Fx = (3.0 Ca / R) wi

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• If the building’s fundamental period resonates with natural

ground period, the building will have a tendency to collapse.

However, the natural ground period is 0.2 up to 1.0 Second,

while the building’s Fundamental Period is 1.63 Second or

higher.

• If the building will be able to withstand Intensity XII or much

higher, the approximate Minimum Peak Ground Acceleration

will be 0.90 g at short earthquake duration. Then, the

approximate Acceleration at middle floor will be approximately

1.20 g, and at the roof-deck level will be approximately 1.60 g.

• For Nonstructural Elements alone within the roof-deck level

shall not exceed 1.54 g with Ip = 1.00 and up to 2.30 g with

Ip = 1.50, the Acceleration at ground floor will be amplified

way up to the middle floor and amplified further up to the

roof-deck level.

• A Major Earthquake occur, the ground period is 0.2 Second

and the Peak Ground Acceleration is 0.80 g detected by

Accelerometers installed at ground floor with Recorder /

Digitizer recorded is 0.80 g, the Max. Allowable Base Shear

calculated by the Designed Structural Engineer in Percent is

almost being reached, the SHM system will alarm. At the

middle floor, the Accelerometers detected higher than 1.10 g

and recorded by Recorder / Digitizer, and up the roof-deck level

is 1.50 g. Aftermath of Major Earthquake, building inspections

show small cracks at middle floor and few large cracks at the

roof-deck level, something must be done and the services of

the Structural Engineer should be sought. The building should

be retro-fitted to further strengthen the entire structural

elements.

• If the other LVDT Sensors detected and recorded by Recorders /

Digitizers is almost reaching the critical level near or exceeding

the Maximum Allowable Building Drift 7.10 Inches, the SHM

system will alarm. The Inter-Story Drift can be easily

determined once the Maximum Allowable Building Drift is

being measured and detected by the LVDT Sensors.

• If the Structural Engineer established a reference ground level

line, the building settlement can be measured.

• The SHM system hook-up to the GPS and focus at roof-deck of

the building will monitor the building drift and to include the

actual and accidental torsional movement as per ASCE 7-05

& ASCE 7-10.

*******************************************************

Therefore, the SHM for buildings, the following shall be detected,

measured, and recorded.

Acceleration g at ground floor, middle floor, and roof-deck level.

Building Drift, Building Settlement, Base Shear, and others to be

recommended by the GeoSIG Ltd.

The Strong-Motion Accelerometers are sub-classified into grades or

classes by the USGS and this standard is widely used as reference.

Key parameters for differentiating the performance in the various

categories are full scale g range, dynamic range across frequency

bands, linearity, and power consumption.

Page 7

Courtesy Of The United States Geological Survey (USGS)

Courtesy Of The United States Geological Survey (USGS)

The quality and adaptability of a Strong Motion Seismic Instrument

may not necessarily be based on the manufacturer’s country of

experience. Seismologists, geologists, seismic engineers,

geophysicists, geotechnical engineers, and even structural

engineers would agree that the behavior or characteristic of a

Major Earthquake in the State of California, USA defined as

“California Earthquake Experience” would differ with the Major

Earthquake behavior or characteristic experiences in Japan, Turkey,

New Zealand, Taiwan, Italy, Chile, Canada, Switzerland, and even in

the Philippines herself, and also to include those experiences from

other countries.

• United States Geological Survey

• Japan Meteorological Agency

• Turkey National Earthquake Monitoring Centre

• New Zealand GNS Science

• Taiwan Central Weather Bureau

• Italy INGV (National Institute For Geophysics & Volcanology)

• Chile ONEMI

• Geological Survey Of Canada / Canadian National Data Centre

(Seismology)

• Swiss Seismological Service / Swiss Geological Survey

• Philippine Institute Of Volcanology & Seismology

• Others

The most important is detecting, measuring, and recording of

strong ground motions in the ± X-Axis, ± Y-Axis, & ± Z-Axis, and

the Rotational Ground Motions, building movements in any

direction, Intensity, as well as Acceleration g.

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Accelerometer Recorder / Digitizer

Recorder / Digitizer PC-Based Monitoring Software

Courtesy Of The GeoSIG Ltd.

IX. PHILIPPINES SEISMIC HAZARD MAPS

It is not always appropriate to rely on seismic zoning, such as the

UBC / NSCP Seismic Zone 4. It is always appropriate to refer to the

PHIVOLCS approved Seismic Hazard Maps. Especially if there is / are

active Fault-Line(s) in the area.

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The above Fault-Lines & Trenches must be studied and analyzed.

Surely, PHIVOLCS has data concerning the above Fault-Lines &

Trenches.

In Metropolitan Manila, the PHIVOLCS, MMEIRS, MMDA, & JICA

joined together and published the following Seismic Hazard Maps :

• Metro-Manila Peak Ground Acceleration Scenarios.

• Metro-Manila Seismic Intensity Scenarios.

• Metro-Manila Liquefaction Potential Scenarios.

West Valley Fault Within Metropolitan Manila

Courtesy Of The Philippine Institute Of Volcanology & Seismology

(PHIVOLCS)

X. OTHER INFORMATION

The National Structural Code Of The Philippines 2010

Volume I

Buildings, Towers And Other Vertical Structures

6th Edition

“The updated Structural Code establishes minimum requirements

for building structural systems using prescriptive and performance-

based provisions. It is founded on braod-based principles that make

possible the used of new materials and new building designs. Also,

this code reflects the latest seismic design practice for earthquake

resistant structures.”

Mayor Binay wants seismographs in Makati’s high-rise buildings

By Tina Santos

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 22:12:00 05/01/2011

Filed Under : Infrastructure, Local Authorities, Earthquake, Safety

of Citizens

The Makati City government has ordered owners of high-rise

buildings in the area to install seismographs, a device which can

monitor ground movement during an earthquake.

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Also called accelerometers, the device is said to be capable of

monitoring the building’s response during a typhoon.

In a memorandum, City Engineer Nelson Morales who is also the

city’s building official, urged all developers, contractors, owners and

administrators of high-rise buildings in Makati to comply with the

directive.

The order likewise covers high-rise buildings under construction and

those still in the design stage.

According to Morales, buildings without the device will not be

issued occupancy permits by the city government.

Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. said the installation of seismographs

was an urgent and important measure included in the policies and

guidelines contained in a memorandum circular recently issued by

Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson to building

officials and local engineers.

Binay was referring to DPWH Memorandum Circular No. 03 dated

March 31 this year. It cites Section 105(2) of the National Structural

Code of the Philippines which requires the installation of

accelerometers or seismographs in structures measuring over 50

meters high. Fifteen-story buildings are approximately 50 meters

high and considered high-rise structures.

We believe this directive must be strictly implemented right away

because no one can tell when a strong earthquake will strike

Metro Manila. We cannot know how strong it will be so we must

prepare now,! Binay said.

At present, there are over 100 high-rise buildings and around 30

more under construction in the country’s financial center.

ARE THERE EXISTING PHILIPPINE LAWS AND REGULATIONS . . . ?

The answer is absolutely “YES”

• Presidential Decree 1566, was promulgated on June 11, 1978.

Calls for strengthening of the Philippine Disaster Control and

establishing the National Program On Community Disaster

Preparedness.

• Presidential Decree 1096, otherwise known as the National

Building Code Of The Philippines. It specifies minimum

requirements and standards on building design to protect

against fires and natural disasters.

• Rule 1040, Occupational Safety & Health Standards {as

amended} provides for the organization of disaster control

groups, health safety committee in every place of employment

and conduct periodic drills and exercises in places.

• Presidential Decree 1185, otherwise known as the Fire Code Of

The Philippines. This decree requires, among others, the

administrators or occupants of buildings, structures and other

premises or facilities and other responsible persons to comply

with the following :

Inspection requirement by the Bureau Of Fire Protection as

pre-requisite to grant of permits or licenses by the LGUs or

government agencies concerned.

Provisions for safety measures, hazardous materials as well as

hazardous operations / processes. Provisions for fire safety

construction, protection, and warning systems such as : Fire

Sprinklers, Alarm Devices, Firewalls, Fire Exit Plans, etc.

• Republic Act 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government

Code [LGC] OF 1991, as amended. The Local Government Code

contains provisions supportive of the goals and objectives for

disasters preparedness [Earthquake], prevention, and

mitigation programs. Page 11

Lastly, aside from Structural Health Monitoring of buildings, we

should not forget the Earthquake Protections & Hazards Mitigation

for Mechanical & Electrical Equipment * Components * Systems

inside the building structures known as “Nonstructural Elements.”

High percentage of building contents are Nonstructural Elements.

Many professionals stated that the cost of Nonstructural Elements

is approximately 60% or higher than the cost of the building itself.

REFERENCES :

GeoSIG Solution Centre : Building Structural Health Monitoring

GeoSIG Ltd. Switzerland.

Real-Time Seismic Monitoring Of Instrumented Hospital Buildings.

By : USGS, ANSS, and Department Of Veterans Affair. USA.

Current Practice And Guidelines For USGS Instrumentation Of

Buildings Including Federal Buildings.

By : M. Celebi, USGS. USA.

Seismic Instrumentation Of Buildings.

By : M. Celebi, USGS. U.S.A.

Seismic Instrumentation Of Buildings (With Emphasis On Federal

Buildings).

By : M. Celebi, USGS. USA.

Nature Of Ground Motion And Its Effect On Buildings.

By : C. Arnold. NISEE. U.S.A.

Instrumentation For Structural Health Monitoring Measuring

Inter-Story Drift.

By : D.A. Skolnik, W.J. Kaiser, & J.W. Wallace

14th WCEE, Beijing. China.

The Application Of Structural Health Monitoring For Improving The

Performance Of Building Structures.

By : Prof. Isao Nishimura (Advanced Research Center, Tokyo City

University - 1-28-1 Tamazutsumi, Setagaya, Tokyo 158-8557,

Japan).

Assessment Of Seismic Hazard And Microzoning In The Philippines

& Strong Motion Simulation For The Philippines Based On Seismic

Hazard Assessment.

By : R. Toregossa, M. Sugito, & N. Nojima - Department Of

Civil Engineering Of Gifu University. Japan.

Distribution Of Active Faults & Trenches In The Philippines.

By : PHIVOLCS. Philippines.

Valley Fault Systems Hazard Map.

By : PHIVOLCS. Philippines.

Seismic Hazard Scenario Maps For Metropolitan Manila.

By : PHIVOLCS, MMEIRS, MMDA, & JICA.

National Structural Code Of The Philippines (2010 NSCP)

Volume I Buildings, Towers And Other Vertical Structures

6th Edition

By : ASEP

1997 Uniform Building Code (1997 UBC)

By : UBC / ICBO U.S.A.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR (From Albert S. Mendiola - Managing

Director of J. BEAP Industries, Inc.)

The author of this Seismic Technical Article is Mr. Domingo G.

Limeta, Jr. He gained 18-years of experience in the field of

Nonstructural Hazards Mitigation - Seismic Hazards Reduction

Program (NHM-SHRP) since 1995, the pioneer in the Philippines. His

first job experience in this field was handling various Seismic

Page 12

Monitoring & Measuring Precision Instruments and Seismic Gas

Shut-Off Valve Systems. He was the first person in the Philippines

who introduced and successfully installed various sizes of Seismic

Spectrum Rated Flexible Loop manufactured by The Metraflex Co.

and the one who designed and calculated the SINGAFLEX Seismic

V-Loops for UHP Gases supported by UL Listed Pre-Stretched

Certified Break Strength Seismic Wire Rope / Cables now installed

and operational at the manufacturing plant in Clark, Pampanga.

He was the first person who conducted a seminar in the Philippines

about NHM-SHRP entitled “Earthquake Preparedness” to various

safety & engineering organizations like : SEIPI - Semiconductor &

Electronics Industries In The Philippines, Inc. held at TESDA Bldg., in

Taguig City in year 2002. HEMAP - Hospital Engineering &

Maintenance Association Of The Philippines held at U.N. Ave.,

Manila in year 2003, and at the San De Dios Educational

Foundation, Inc. (Hospital) in Pasay City in year 2004, and others.

Since then, he elevated his knowledge and experience in handling

Seismic Sway Bracing Systems for suspended nonstructural

elements & Seismic Restraints of various mechanical & electrical

package equipment and components, including the preliminary

SEISMIC ENGINEERING CALCULATIONS based from the seismic

provisions of the applicable Building Codes & Standards. He has also

done several Findings & Reports for the Earthquake Safety &

Protection of various American semiconductor manufacturing firms

here in the Philippines with coordination with the Risk Insurer Firms

like the FM Global and closely working together with various

professional engineers, systems design engineers, consultants,

contractors, and safety engineers.

Lastly, he is also the author of more than 30 seismic articles and one

unpublished book about NHM-SHRP. He is highly familiar about the

seismic provisions of various Building Codes & Standards. Mr.

Limeta is now the Senior Seismic Engineering Consultant of the J.

BEAP Industries, Inc. for NHM-SHRP.

All comments or suggestions are welcome for the further

improvement of this article.

In GOD we trust.

DOMINGO G. LIMETA, JR. A.E. (SDT / IIT / IET / EL. E)

SEISMIC ENGINEERING CONSULTANT

NONSTRUCTURAL HAZARDS MITIGATION

SEISMIC HAZARDS REDUCTION PROGRAM

EQUIPMENT AND PIPING SYSTEMS IN MOTIONS

Mobile No.: (632) 0905-3763556

E-Mail : jbeapseismic@gmail.com

And

ALBERTO S. MENDIOLA. MANAGING DIRECTOR

ENGINEERING PROJECTS AND TECHNICAL SERVICES

Mobile No.: (632) 0918-9022533

E-Mail : jbeapearthquake@gmail.com

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