ASCE Earthquake Protection of Building Equipment and Systems: Bridging the Implementation Gap

Product Description <em>Earthquake Protection of Building Equipment and Systems</em> presents a framework for applying the latest earthquake engineering research to the non-structural elements of individual building projects, concentrating on mechanical and electrical systems. The seismic performance of these systems and their components is critical in order to minimise damage and life-threatening risks associated with seismic events while also protecting capital investment. And just as the seismic engineering of structures is shifting from prescriptive-based standards to performance-based approaches, the same is happening for building equipment and systems. For practising engineers, a gap has opened between what is required and what is available to meet those requirements. In this book, Gatscher, McGavin, and Caldwell bridge that gap. They prescribe a systems engineering approach to non-structural design and present several case studies to demonstrate this approach. They provide an extensive survey of different methods for qualifying equipment and systems, including analysis, dynamic testing, earthquake experience data, and comparative assessment using combined methods. They also address issues of implementation, including qualification ownership, component life-cycle, and verification tools. This book is a must-have for any engineer designing or specifying nonstructural systems and their components for a building in an area with seismic risks. It will also be a valuable reference for architects, construction managers, and building code officials.<br> About the Author <strong>Jeffrey A. Gatscher</strong> is currently employed in Schneider Electric's Technology Innovation department. As a research Fellow Engineer and Edison Expert, he is responsible for engineering competency transfer at the corporate level. His expertise includes the technical disciplines of shock and vibration product testing, structural dynamics, solid mechanics, and systems analysis. Mr. Gatscher has held engineering positions with Raytheon Missile Systems and General Dynamics, where he participated in the development and testing of aerospace and military launch vehicles. He started his engineering career working for Bechtel Power Corporation, where he analysed nuclear power plant piping systems. He has a B.Sc. in mechanical engineering from Michigan Technological University and a M.Sc. in mechanical engineering from the University of Tennessee.<br><br> Over the last 28 years, Mr. Gatscher has specialised in the qualification of manufactured product designs (commercial and military) to satisfy environmental requirements by employing systems analysis and design assurance testing techniques. As a nationally recognised expert in the field of seismic qualification testing, he has authored or coauthored numerous peer-reviewed papers, conference papers, and invited presentations. Mr. Gatscher is a senior member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and his research interests include vibration fatigue, fragility testing, accelerated life cycle testing, and structural dynamics FEA. <br><br> Jeff Gatscher resides in Nashville, Tennessee, and can be contacted at jgatscher@yahoo.com. His personal interests include travel, photography, backpacking, and motorcycle riding.