Seismic and Tsunami Damage to Port and Harbor Structures and Future Mitigation

Abstract eng:
After surveying port and harbor damage from the SE Asia earthquake and tsunami of December 26, 2004, there are a number of observations and preventative measures that could have been implemented to save lives and reduce economic losses. Without having historical inspection data, the failure of a marine structure may be apparent, but useful engineering conclusions may not be possible. If decades of marine degradation have occurred, then failure in a moderate earthquake is likely, even if the structure was well engineered and the initial construction was satisfactory. And as recently discovered in California, owners do not regularly inspect and monitor marine deterioration over time. In California, a program has now become regulatory that requires all marine oil terminals to come up to a standard, which includes periodic underwater inspection, seismic rehabilitation and a continuing evaluation of fitness-for-purpose. This new standard is entitled “Marine Oil Terminal Engineering and Maintenance Standards” (MOTEMS) and is Chapter 31F of the California Building Code. The seismic assessment includes performance standards for two levels of earthquakes. The lower Level I has a 72 year return period, and the higher Level II has a 475 year return period. Structural performance levels are provided in terms of strain limits for both levels of earthquakes for steel, concrete and timber pile supported structures.

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