Seismology?

Question

when one says the design of the structure complies with the seismic Zone 4, what does it mean? what is the equivalent of Zone 4 under richter scale?

appreciate any feedback..

Answer 1

A seismic zone is an area where it is prone to certain earthquakes. seismic zone 4 is an area that is prone to earthquakes usually with a magnitude of 4 on the richter scale. this scale, developed by charles richter around 1935, is made to measure the magnitude of an earthquake ranking 1-12, 12 being the worst. I gave you a map of the earthquake zones.

Answer 2

Dear friend, don't confuse the Richter scale magnitude with zone number. The zone numbers are given to particular area depending upon its vulnerability to earthquake.There is no upper limit in Richter scale. The heaviest one which so far affected is only 9.5. Only in Mercalli scale we have the scale from 1 to 12. There are five seismic zones.
1. Very mild are no quake at all. Now it is abolished because there is no place in earth that will not be affected by earthquakes.
2. Minor earthquake of up to Richter scale 5
3. Moderate earthquake up to Richter scale 6,
4.Heavy earthquake of up to Richter scale 8,
5. Very heavy earthquake of more than 8 in Richter scale.
See the chart for energy release equivalent to Richter scale.
Approximate TNT (Tri nitro telecom ) Yield for Seismic Energy

1 30 lbs
2. 1 ton
3. 29 ton
4. 1000 ton
5. 32000 ton
6. 1 million ton
7. 32 million ton
8. 1 billion ton
9. 32 billion ton
10 1 trillion ton.

Answer 3

Well, I looked at the AIA site and all that search term came up with was the following link. Don't know if it'll be useful or helpful, but good luck.
www.aia.org/SiteObjects/files/conted_FR62.pdf