how to convert seismic design to richter scale magnitude

huangyhg

how to convert seismic design to richter scale magnitude..
we usually design buidings for seismic requirements. a non-technical person just asked me what does the seismic zone and other criteria that we use mean in terms of richter scale which is what most of us identify. am now researching this, can does anybody here know?... any references?
ksd
check out our whitepaper library.
there's lots of seemingly related info here:
ksd
the seismic zones and other criteria we use for seismic design is based not only on the intensity of the seismic event (which is the parameter used for calculating ritcher magnitude), but also on probability of ocurrance, frequency content of the earthquake, and lots of other stuff... so, it would be unfair to quantify seismic zones directly with ritcher scale magnitudes.
there are many good books on seismic design that i could recommend:
- seismic design of reinforced concrete and masonry buildings (paulay & priestley)
- reinforced concrete structures (park & paulay)
- seismic design of buildings and bridges (williams)
in addition to what kalaz has mentioned, this is no small or accurate task.  however, i wish to point out something further to the description "ritcher magnitude".  the ritcher magnitude, defined by charles ritcher, is applicable to local earthquakes as measured on a specific seismograph - the wood-anderson model.
so while the lay person wouldn't and quite often doesn't understand the implications of that (noted as the media reports are often described in that manner) the technical person should realize this inaccuracy.  there are many relationships available to everyone with internet access and i suggest that you check out the national earthquake information center at the usgs website.
i should note that the relationships noted above are several magnitudes such as local magnitude, surface wave magnitude and moment magnitude to name a few.  however, other ways of relating the damage potential of earthquakes are also available - for example there are charts that relate earthquake energy to the explosive power of tnt.
revank (visitor)23 aug 02 16:13
in the last few weeks i have seen an article describing an analysis made of seismic records in a specific area. i do not recall the area but do recall that they felt their analysis led them to an ability to forecast the coming of a seismic event in that area.
did anyone else see that article? i thought i saved it--and i did so, so thorougly i  cannot find it again.
thanks
revank