Observations of Surface Fault Rupture from the 1906 Earthquake in the Context of Current Practice

Abstract

Many important insights are embedded in the detailed observations of surface rupture of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, during which surface faulting interacted with pipelines, earth embankments, and buildings. Lessons gleaned from the 1906 rupture, combined with parallel and new insights from recent earthquakes, illustrate how various geologic conditions alter the surface expression of faulting and how surface fault rupture interacts with engineered systems. Geologic and engineering procedures can be employed to evaluate the hazards associated with surface faulting and to develop sound designs. Illustrative examples are used to demonstrate how the hazards associated with surface fault rupture can be addressed. Effective design measures include constructing earth fills to partially absorb underlying ground movements; isolating foundations from the underlying ground movements; and designing strong, ductile foundations that can accommodate some deformation without compromising the functionality of the structure.