Can any body help me with advising some simple criteria to be taken into account when designing a structure for California (Grand Sur area) recognising that the next big quake is getting closer.

Specifically how many "g's" horizontal and vertical ?

Must timber sills be bolted to a reinforced foundation ?

Is it allowable to have posts standing directly on concrete pilasters i.e. no sills ?

Regards

Ken Hume

Ken:
call Erol Karacabeyli of Forintek Canada Corp. at 604-224-3221. He is an expert on earthquake.

Regards
Dalibor Houdek

I have been advised by an engineer in California that I should use 0.4g horizontal and vertical earthquake loading.
Ken Hume. http://www.kfhume.freeserve.co.uk