Seismic Design Maps and Tools for Engineers

Here we present maps, data, and tools for engineers interested in seismic design of buildings and bridges. Currently we have two separate tools for buildings, for present and future model building codes respectively:

• A Java Ground Motion Parameter Calculator for, mainly, design values from the 2009, 2006, 2003, and 2000 editions of the International Building and Residential Codes (and correspondingly 2005, 2002, and 1998 ASCE-7 Standard) - i.e. for present model building codes.
• A U.S. Seismic Design Maps Web Application for, currently, design values from the 2009 NEHRP Recommended Seismic Provisions, which will be adopted by the 2012 International Building and Residential Codes (and, correspondingly, the 2010 ASCE-7 Standard) - i.e. for future model building codes.

For bridges we have a third separate tool:

• A Seismic Design Parameters CD for values from the 2009 AASHTO Guide Specifications for LRFD Seismic Bridge Design.

The maps and data corresponding to these three tools are also provided via the links above.

Important Note While seismic design maps are based on corresponding hazard maps (e.g., the USGS National Seismic Hazard Maps), their values typically differ from hazard values. Thus, engineers interested in seismic design of structures should generally use the maps, data, and tools presented here rather than values presented elsewhere on the USGS web site.