fib Bulletin 69 illustrates and compares major buildings seismic codes applied in the different Continents, namely U.S., Japan, New Zealand, Europe, Canada, Chile and Mexico. Bulletin 69 was prepared by Task Group 7.6 of fib Commission 7, under the leadership of the late Professor Robert (Bob) Park which, in tandem with Professor Paulay, had developed in the seventies new fundamental design concepts, most notably capacity design approach and structural design for ductility, that had made the NZ seismic Code the most advanced one of the time. This new approach has highly influenced the development of Eurocode 8, to which Bob Park has significantly contributed. Bob Park was also well informed of the situation in Japan, USA, Canada and South America. Such a wide view is reflected in Bulletin 69 showing similarities and differences among the major seismic codes, accompanied as far as possible by comments, hopefully useful for fostering international harmonization. A comprehensive summary of the major codes is provided in the first chapter of the bulletin. All codes are separately presented according to a common framework: an introduction section, which describes the history, the philosophy, the process development, the performance-based criteria, the strength of materials and the incorporation of strength reduction factors of each code; a second section devoted to the demand side, which specify the seismic design actions and associated criteria of each code for areas of different seismicity and for structures with different ductility properties/requirements; a third section devoted to the capacity side, which describes the capacities of members and joints and associated criteria of each code, including member strengths in flexure, shear and bars anchorage, desirable hierarchies of strength attainment, deformation capacities of mechanisms of inelastic deformation, detailing of beams, columns and structural walls, detailing of beam-column joints for shear and the detailing of diaphragms. The second chapter is devoted to the comparison of the more significant issues dealt in the considered codes. This includes: seismic design actions and associated criteria, capacity design practice, beams, columns, confinement, structural walls and joints. It is felt that fib Bulletin 69 represents a useful, unique instrument for rapidly gaining an overview of the distinguishing features of the major world codes, under both their conceptual framework and application rules.

Guidelines for Design of Low-Rise Buildings Subjected to Lateral Forces is a concise guide that identifies performance issues, concerns, and research needs associated with low-rise buildings. The book begins with an introduction that discusses special problems with low-rise buildings subjected to wind and earthquakes. Chapter 2 examines probabilistic methods and their use in evaluating risks from natural hazards. It also addresses the characteristics of wind and seismic forces and levels of risk implied by building codes. Wind forces are covered in more detail in Chapter 3, with discussions of wind force concepts and wind-structure interactions. Chapter 4 is devoted to earthquake forces and traces the development of building codes for earthquake resistant design. Chapter 5 describes the main framing systems used to resist lateral forces and discusses the code requirements for drift control. The designs and requirements for connections between building elements are addressed in Chapter 6. It includes examples along with several illustrations of suitable connections. The performance of non-structural elements during wind and earthquake forces is also examined in detail. This book serves as an important reference for civil engineers, construction engineers, architects, and anyone concerned with structural codes and standards. It is an excellent guide that can be used to supplement design recommendations and provide a design basis where there are no current requirements.

Adding a new perspective to the current literature on decentralization in Japan, Cities, Autonomy and Decentralization in Japan, approaches the subject from an urban studies and planning approach. The essays in the collection present a cogent compilation of case studies focusing on the past, present and future of decentralization in Japan. These include small scale development in the fields such as citizen participation (machizukuri), urban form and architecture, disaster prevention and conservation of monuments. The contributors suggest that new trends are emerging after the bursting of Japan's economic bubble and assess them in the context of the country's larger socio-political system. This in-depth analysis of the development outside of Japan provides a valuable addition to students of Urban, Asian and Japanese Studies.

Devastating damage in the Tohoku region of Japan occurred during and after the earthquake off the Pacific coast of Tohoku earthquake on March 11, 2011. The AIJ (Architectural Institute of Japan) dispatched reconnaissance teams into the field to obtain basic facts on the damage to buildings due to the massive ground motions and resultant tsunami. Their mission included collecting information on the characteristics of the earthquake itself and the observed major ground motions and tsunamis throughout the area. For the structural damage investigation, buildings are classified by their type of construction, namely, steel buildings, reinforced concrete buildings, wooden houses, etc. along with descriptions of special features for each category of building type. The report summarizes damage associated with ground failures including landslide and liquefaction as well as non-structural damages such as to equipment and facilities, partitioning walls and ceilings, and functional failures in skyscrapers. Also brief description of the Japanese Seismic Design Code will be provided in the Appendix. A proposed scheme of anti-tsunami design for buildings is also included.