Fundamentals of Earthquake Engineering: Book Review

Abstract

In the introduction to Funckrll7entrrl.s of Eurtl7qunlce Engineel.i~ig, Professors Newmark and Rosenblueth express their hope that this book will serve as a guide to those who must cope with the effects of earthquakes, will supplement the education of other engineers, and will help open avenues of research. It appears that each of these objectives has been admirably met in the three general parts making up this reference and graduate text: Dynamics (progressing from simple linear systems to nonlinear systems and hydrodynamics, with an outline of the numerical methods employed); Earthquake Motions and Structural Responses (including the behavior of materials and structural components under earthquake loading, and emphasizing a probabilistic framework to describe tlleoretical seismology and earthquake characteristics); and, Design (concepts in earthquake-resistant design). While the title indicates that fundamentals are being considered, some preparation and revision will be required on the part of most readers. This is particularly the case in the second and third parts when state-of-the-art material is often presented. Fortunately, a series of examples and problems with answers is provided in the first part that will assist in establishing the required background for what follows. The specific topics of inost interest to geotechnical engineers would include: hydrodynamics (particularly the discussion on tsunamis); characteristics of earthquakes; seismicity; probability distributions of response spectral ordinates (including the effect of local soil conditions); behavior of soils (detailed section 012 liquefaction); and all of the third part on design. Each topic is provided with a survey of the literature so the reader can obtain more detail as required. Problems that require further research are indicated where appropriate. This book should be in the reference library of anyone interested in earthquake engineering or structural dynamics, and should find wide acceptance as a text for graduate courses in earthquake engineering.