the field act: protecting california's schools

The Field Act: Protecting California’s Schools

from Seismic Hazards

Timothy DawsonEngineering Geologist

California Geological Survey, Menlo Park

Xinjian Primary SchoolKindergarten (left) and Hotel (right) survived with little damage

Du Bin for the New York Times

Newport – Inglewood fault zone

1933 Long Beach Earthquake

• Occurred March 10, 1933, 5:54 PM (timing is everything)

• M 6.4

• 120 fatalities• 120 schools in Long Beach area, 70 destroyed

• $50M (1933 dollars)

Long Beach Polytechnic High School, Long Beach

Alexander Hamilton Junior High School, Long Beach

Jefferson Junior High School : Worst of the worst?

Compton School

Compton School. Note rain of bricks at the entrance

Stanford School, Long Beach: A reinforced concrete seismic survivor

Franklin Junior High School, Long Beach

AFTERMATH 1933 - Enactment of the Field Act. Enacted as an on April 10, 1933 one month after the earthquake.

1939 - Enactment of the Garrison Act. Enacted in order to protect public school children in structures built before 1933. However, school districts not required to make necessary inspections.

1967 to Present - Various amendments. Schools required to make necessary inspections and retrofitting or abandonment of unsafe structures.

Geologic investigations required in Alquist-Priolo Zones.

Many other modifications….

Provisions of the Field Act

• Authorizes the State Architect to develop state-wide building code.

• Division of the State Architect (DSA) given authority to approve or reject plans for construction of new schools and alterations to existing buildings.

• California-licensed architect or structural engineer responsible for preparation of plans.

• DSA reviews plans and issues certificate of compliance once project is approved.

• Violation of the provision of the Act is a felony.

CGS Role in the Field ActUnder contract to DSA to review geotechnical and geological aspects of school sites

Surface fault rupture LiquefactionLandslides

Seismic Design(Ground motion)

http://www.conservation.ca.gov/cgs/News/Documents/1933_EQ_poster.pdf

Weblinks to photo sources are in the notes window(Click “View” and “Notes page” in main Powerpoint Menu

Juyuan Middle School