Phivolcs to launch handbook of seismic hazard maps

In a bid to improve the nation’s response to earthquakes, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) is set to launch an earthquake atlas to help engineers design quake-resilient buildings and structures in the country.

The Phivolcs will unveil on Wednesday the Philippine Earthquake Model (PEM) Atlas, a handbook of “probabilistic seismic hazard maps” that could assist engineers in designing buildings and structures resilient to earthquakes. It could also be used as a tool for land use and urban planning as well as for disaster risk management plans of local government units, government agencies, and other stakeholders.

“The PEM Atlas aims to promote and enhance the existing National Structural Code of the Philippines (NSCP), a referral code of the National Building Code (NBC),” Phivolcs said in a statement.

“This will serve as basis for designing earthquake resilient structures like residential and commercial buildings, critical facilities such as dams, bridges, and hospitals, and hazardous installations such as nuclear, biological, and chemical facilities,” it added.

Specifically, the PEM Atlas contains the Peak Ground Acceleration Maps and Spectral Acceleration Maps, which were generated from the Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis (PSHA) through the efforts and expertise of seismologists, geologists, engineers, and researchers from Phivolcs.

The effort was done in consultation with Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines, Department of Public Works and Highways, University of the Philippines Diliman – Institute of Civil Engineering, DOST- Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, De la Salle University, National Housing Authority, Insurance Commission, Philippine Insurers and Reinsurers Association, Metro Manila Development Authority, Office of Civil Defense, and Metro Manila LGUs.     /kga