The inventory of existing buildings in geographical areas subject to potentially strong earthquake ground motion is enormous. The Seismic Risk division at MHP assesses the vulnerability of these buildings and assists clients in making informed decisions concerning valuable building assets. These due-diligence evaluations provide earthquake loss or Probable Maximum Loss (PML) estimates and, when appropriate, suggest strengthening options, allowing the consideration of seismic risk of commercial assets in real estate transactions.
Considering both site hazards and building features, MHP’s experienced team of licensed engineers uses the latest tools and data available in evaluating building seismic risk. In addition to first hand experience gained through conducting post-earthquake evaluations following the San Fernando, Whittier, Loma Prieta, Northridge, and Nisqually earthquakes, this dedicated team has extensive in-house resources at their disposal. Built on the backbone of MHP’s evaluation of thousands of commercial properties these resources include: ATC 13, FEMA and ASTM E-2026 procedures and guidelines; numerous geologic hazard maps; city and agency seismic safety elements; and on-line site hazard references. Significant in-house expertise in detailed, non-linear computer modeling of buildings enhances MHP’s ability to effectively predict building behavior and assess potential risks.
Led by Lance Kenyon and Brad Ferris, the combined experience and resources of MHP enables the firm to complete projects of any size and complexity, from small industrial and retail properties, to high-rise and large portfolios, with capabilities that few firms can match.
The strength of MHP’s seismic risk group lies in the experience and knowledge developed while working on traditional design projects. The firm’s commitment to maintaining an active design emphasis allows those assessing building risks to gain continued insight into current design and construction practices. This interaction between the risk and design groups is a unique benefit that most firms providing seismic risk services cannot offer their clients. The design and building evaluation experience allows MHP engineers to develop and implement seismic strengthening programs that are efficient, appropriate and consistent with the desired performance objectives and risk tolerance of the client.
MEMPHIS INDUSTRIAL PORTFOLIO
Memphis, Tennessee
Seismic Risk Evaluation-Level 2
TYPE
Industrial
STRUCTURE SPECIFICS
Project consisted of five individual sites, with a total of seven buildings occupying over 3,641,000 combined square feet.
CHALLENGES AND NEEDS
Located along the New Madrid Fault Zone, Memphis has experienced very large earthquake events within recent history. Although they occur less frequently than earthquakes in seismically-active California, the events can be of significant magnitude (M7) causing intense ground shaking over large distances (100+ miles from the epicenter) due to the depth and length of faulting. In recent years, building codes have been revised to reflect the now recognized high seismic hazard of the New Madrid Fault Zone.
SCOPE OF SERVICE
Earthquake Loss Evaluation (Level 2) for acquisition. Scenario Expected Loss (SEL) results provided for 475-Year and 2,475-Year return period events.
EVALUATION FINDINGS
The project buildings, constructed between the 1990 and 2000, were designed in conformance with seismic requirements of various code editions, with the older structures engineered to resist lower seismic design forces than current codes require. Individual building design characteristics were evaluated to help determine building-specific loss estimates for each scenario event.
