Unit I Two Mark Question and Answers

DBE MCE

1. Earthquake corresponding to occur at site Earthquake corresponding to ultimate safety

once during life time of structure of requirement is often called as MCE.

ground motion is often called as DBE.

2. Analysis for evaluations of DBE when data It is derived on basis of maximum earthquake

on earthquake is meager is not available. potential inside seismo tectonic province of the

site or adjoining seismo tectonic province

associated with or not associated with specific

tectonic structure.

3. Generally DBE is half of MCE. Generally DBE is half of MCE.

1. Differentiate design basic earthquake and maximum considered earthquake

2. Define isoseismic map?

A contour or line on a map bounding points of equal intensity for a particular earthquake is called

as isoseismic map.

3. What is Seismograph?

Seismograph is a graph in response to ground motions produced by an earthquake, explosion

(or) other ground motion sources. A record written by a Seismograph is called seismogram.

4. Write the effect of surface topography?

 (1) The topographic effect in itself is difficult to isolate from other effects, like

surface layering, and therefore the amplification on top of geomorphologic

ally complex sites cannot be predicted by a priori estimations based solely on

topography; and (2) the high crest/base amplification ratio observed in the

field cannot, usually, be matched even with complex two-dimensional

structures with incident plane SH waves, which suggests that more complex

models are needed to incorporate more complex wave fields

5. Differentiate between Epicenter and Hypocenter?

Epicenter: The point on the earth surface vertically above the point in crust where

seismic rupture begins.

Hypocenter: The point within the earth surface where an earthquake rupture starts.

6. What is elastic rebound theory?

Earth quakes must have involved an elastic rebound of previously stored elastic stress. The

gradual accumulation and release on stress and strain is now referred as “Elastic rebound theory” of earth

quake.

7. Compare Intensity and Magnitude of an earthquake?

Magnitude Intensity

It measures the strain energy released at the source It measures the strength of shaking produced by an
 of earthquake. earthquake at a certain location.

It is a quantitative measure. It is a qualitative measure.

It is determined from the measurements on It is determined from the effects on people, human

seismograph. structures and natural environment

For a single magnitude there are various intensity at different location.

8. What is the importance of isoseismic map?

The counter on a map bounding areas of equal intensity is an isoseismic map having different

isoseismic for particular earthquake is an isoseismic map. For a single magnitude there is various intensity

at different location.

9. What are the factors to be taken in account for accessing lateral loads?

a. Design of lateral loads

b. Design of seismic base shear

c. Design of horizontal seismic coefficient

d. Fundamental natural period

e. Distribution of design forces

f. Live load consideration

10. What are the lateral load resisting systems?

a. Ordinary RC moment resisting frame(OMRF)

b. Special RC moment resisting frame(SMRF)

c. Steel frame with

1. Concentric braces

2. Eccentric braces

d. Ordinary RC shear walls

 e. Ductile shear walls

f. Ordinary shear wall with OMRF

g. Ordinary shear wall with SMRF

h. Ductile shear wall with OMRF

i. Ductile shear wall with SMRF

11.How the earth can be classified? Explain?

 Lithosphere – the solid outer layer of the earth on which we live

 Hydrosphere – all water bodies on the earth. 71% of the surface of the earth is

covered by water.

 Atmosphere – blanket of air surrounding the earth. It is mixture of many gases,

with nitrogen accounting for 78% oxygen for 21% of the atmosphere and the

remaining 1% is made of carbon dioxide, the noble gases, hydrogen, water

vapour, dust particles, etc.

 Biosphere – the living world. It is a global ecosystem composed of living

organism like plants and animals, organisms living on the earth, under the ground

and in the oceans.

The portion of the earth, excluding the atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere, is

known as the geosphere.

12. What are the three factors that causes earthquake. Explain.

 Plutonic forces> vibrations caused due to the forceful movement of magma from

under the earth to its surface is called due to this force are called plutonic

earthquakes. The layers above the origin of the tremor also experience vibrations.

 Tectonic forces> sometimes vibrations can happen due to the stress acting from

the sides of rocks in the crust resulting in the compression of rocks and formation
 of folds and the earth’s crust may be subjected to tensional forces that tend to

pull the crust apart resulting in the formation of faults. Major earthquakes usually

caused by the movements along the faults can be distorts, especially in densely

populated areas. As these forces act on the surface are called tectonic forces and

the earthquake caused thus are called tectonic earthquakes.

 Volcanic forces> sometimes, when there is a volcanic eruption, there would be

an earthquake either preceding it or happening along with it.

The temperature inside the earth is high. The magma, which is at high

temperature, tries to escape through weaker joints in the mantle and the crust

when it is subjected to more pressure. Before the eruption of magma, hot air and

steam trapped inside come out with such force that they make the earth vibrate

causing earthquakes. On the basis of origin, such earthquakes are called volcanic

earthquakes.

13.Write any two earthquake prone regions of the world.

 West coast region of north and south America.

 A belt across southern Europe and southern Asia.

 A belt in the pacific ocean, which includes Japan, the Philippines and most of the

east India.

14.Write the effects of earthquake

Earthquake last only for a few seconds. But they may cause a lot of damage to life and

property. Earthquake themselves may cause only restricted damage in the regions of

occurrence, but their after- effects can be very geart. Sometimes they cause gigantic tidal

waves called tsunamis, which flood towns and down thousands of people. You can recall

the tsunami that hit Tamil nadu on 26 December, 2004. You may also recall the

earthquake that hit Maharashtra and Gujarat in the year 2001 causing heavy loss of life
and property. Other hazards are fire, spilling of chemicals, loss of power, buckling of

roads and railways, collapse of buildings, landslides, etc

Prepared & Compiled by

Dr.A.MURUGESAN, M.E(Struc), Ph.D

Associate Professor / Civil