Earthquake Engineering

MRCE is at the forefront of the rapidly changing and growing technical fields of Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Seismology. Our seismic analysis experts have been involved in the development of seismic design criteria for various structures including skyscrapers, bridges, dams, hospitals, commercial buildings, and warehouses for more than 80 years. MRCE performs seismic testing for site characterization. Our expertise in advanced numerical modeling and seismic analysis, together with our unique capabilities in both field and laboratory seismic testing, enables us to address complex challenges in seismically active areas worldwide.

  • Site Characterization

    Cross Hole Seismic Testing Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers Geotechnical site characterization and assessment of site response to earthquake ground motions is a crucial phase of seismic hazard analysis. Site characterization requires both field and laboratory investigations to identify soil dynamic properties and evaluate a potential hazard.

    MRCE field and laboratory services supporting seismic site characterization include:

    • Borehole Logging
    • Downhole Seismic Testing
    • Crosshole Seismic Testing
    • Seismic Cone Penetration Test (SCPT)
    • Standard Penetration Test (SPT)
    • SPT Hammer Energy Measurement
    • Resonance Testing of Rock Core Specimens
    • Shear-Modulus Measurement in Laboratory Triaxial Test Specimens (Bender Element Method)
  • Engineering Seismology

    Engineering seismology is principally concerned with evaluating and accurately defining seismic risk, uncertainty, and hazard for earthquake engineering evaluations of development sites.  Design rock ground motions are typically developed in a seismic hazard analysis.

    MRCE engineering seismology services include:

    • Seismic Source Characterization
    • Ground Motion Models and Attenuation Relationships
    • Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis (PSHA)
    • Deterministic Seismic Hazard Analysis (DSHA)
    • Design Response Spectra for a Reference Site Condition
    • Design Time Histories for a Reference Site Condition
  • Site-Specific Response Analyses

    Site-Specific response analyses consider how the soil conditions beneath a site will alter earthquake ground motions. A site response analysis provides design ground motions for input to structural analysis. A site-specific response analysis may reduce input ground motions below presumptive Building Code values, and result in construction cost savings.

    Following site characterization, MRCE site-specific services include:

    • Site Response Analysis
    • Acceleration Time-History Selection and Scaling
    • Spectral Matching of Acceleration Time-Histories
    • Design Foundation-Level Response Spectra Development
  • Earthquake Engineering

    Earthquake Engineering is the application of engineering seismology investigation findings to define earthquake risk to life, property, and operations. MRCE earthquake engineers have extensive experience and knowledge in providing economical and efficient engineering design to earthquake forces and their effects.  These include:

    • Seismic Site Classification
    • Evaluation of Seismic Design Code Response Spectra
    • Seismic Slope Stability
    • Soil-Structure Interaction Analysis
    • Liquefaction Potential and Impact Analysis
    • Evaluation of  Ground Improvement Options
    • Enhanced Foundations to Resist Seismic Load
    • Earth Retaining Structures Design
    • Permanent Underground Structures Design
    • Peer Review  

Torre Reforma 432, Mexico City High-Rise

Challenges Solved

The Torre Reforma 432 tower has 55 levels above grade and deep basement. MRCE performed a seismic hazard analysis for the development, including seismic sources compilation and ground motion parameter development for the Mexico City region. In addition, MRCE performed site-specific response spectra for three required earthquake levels (Service Level with a return period of 43 years, Design Level with a return period of 125 years, and Maximum Considered Earthquake with a return period of 2475 years). Based on the available geotechnical and geophysical data and local seismicity, MRCE developed seven time history acceleration sets at the “bedrock” level to match each of the three site-specific response spectra developed for three return periods. MRCE performed Soil-Structure Interaction (SSI) analyses for the MCE level earthquake.

Grand Island Bridges Seismic Evaluation

Challenges Solved

The Grand Island Bridges are two pairs of twin two-lane truss arch bridges in New York, United States. The South Grand Island Bridge twins cross the Niagara River between Tonawanda and Grand Island, and the North Grand Island Bridge twins cross the Niagara River between Grand Island and Niagara Falls. MRCE performed a site‐specific seismic study to evaluate the seismic hazard at all four Grand Island Bridges. The seismic hazard evaluation incorporated updates in current knowledge of the seismicity and seismic sources of the area, recently developed ground motion attenuation equations and ground motion models, and effects of the locally varying site conditions. The site-specific seismic study included a Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis (PSHA), acceleration time history generation, seismic Crosshole testing, site response analysis, and liquefaction potential analysis.

All Services