Earthquake-Resistant Design Advisory 1991

Dpwh Memorandum
The DPWH Memorandum provides essential guidelines for earthquake-resistant design in buildings, emphasizing compliance with the National Building Code and addressing specific challenges in areas prone to liquefaction and landslides.

Purpose: earthquake-resilient building design guidance

  • The DPWH issues the advisory to guide engineering professionals, particularly Structural Engineers, undertaking designs for construction of private and public buildings and related structures.
  • The advisory aims to mitigate damages due to earthquake through earthquake-resistant design practices.

Minimum design compliance standard

  • The design must, as a minimum requirement, conform with the current National Building Code and its referral codes.
  • Conformity must include, in particular, the National Structural Code of the Philippines, Volume I, Revised Edition 1991.
  • Compliance is required for designs for construction covered by the advisory, including private and public buildings and related structures.

Reference guide for earthquake-resistant design

  • The advisory directs that the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines (ASEP) Guide to Earthquake-Resistant Design, 1991 should be adopted as a reference.
  • The ASEP guide is treated as the adopted reference guide for earthquake-resistant design.

Special advisory: liquefaction-prone areas

  • Special advisory is given for areas subjected for liquefaction.
  • Design Engineers are advised to address liquefaction in their earthquake-resistant design.

Special advisory: high elevations, slopes, ridge amplification

  • Special advisory is given for areas on high elevations and on slopes subjected to landslides.
  • Design Engineers are advised to consider the probable occurrence of “ridge amplification” in design.
  • Design Engineers must incorporate consideration of ridge amplification as part of their design for such sites.

Implementation and compliance instructions

  • The advisory is issued “For information and compliance”.
  • Engineering professionals undertaking designs for covered construction must follow the minimum National Building Code-based standard and the adopted reference guide.
  • Engineering professionals must apply the special design considerations for liquefaction areas and for high-elevation/slope sites subject to landslides and ridge amplification.

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