Engineering

This book stands as a manual and ready reference for structural engineers on the seismic protection of civil engineering structures. Beginning with a short historical overview, the book explains the concepts of seismic protection, describes the most common types of anti-seismic devices, and summarizes the main existing standards for anti-seismic devices, with particular reference to the European Standard. It imparts expertise on the devices that is normally restricted by proprietary interests of a few specialists. Then it goes on to illustrate the main differences between European and American Standards, examine the output of the principle laboratories globally engaged in testing anti-seismic devices, and to describe state-of-art technologies to retrofit seismically existing buildings. The volume concludes with a number of accounts of projects involving the author where structures were equipped with anti-seismic devices and provides some insight on the future development of relevant technologies.