Seismic evaluations assess whether an existing building is truly safe in the event of an earthquake, based on current building codes and regulatory frameworks.

Many buildings were constructed under older structural codes that did not account for the levels of seismic activity considered in today’s standards. Since the 1980s, building codes have significantly evolved in terms of seismic requirements. Modern standards are based on ductile structural behavior, providing a higher level of safety. This means that a property may appear solid but still have hidden structural vulnerabilities. Several standards, including ASCE 41, provide a framework for seismic evaluation of existing buildings.

Our service evaluates and analyzes the building structure to determine:

• Whether it complies with current seismic codes
• Whether it meets performance objectives according to ASCE 41
• Whether structural retrofitting is required
• The presence of structural deficiencies such as short column effect, captive columns, discontinuities in structural elements, inadequate stirrup spacing, and other seismic irregularities
• The existence of deterioration in structural elements
• What technical solutions are required to improve safety

A professional evaluation allows for informed decision-making before investing in, purchasing, or renovating a property