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Seismic Design Values for Buildings

Earthquake Ground Motion Parameter Java Application

The Java Application includes hazard curves, uniform hazard response spectra, and design parameters for sites in the 50 states of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Design parameters are also available for Guam and American Samoa. Parameters are searchable by zip code or latitude and longitude, can be graphed, saved, and printed for later use.

We are currently performing maintenance and upgrades on the server hosting this application. If you are attempting to use this application and receive periodic errors, please do not be concerned as this is likely due to the actions we are taking. The error should not persist for more than a few moments at a time. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time of maintenance.

Note: The Ground Motion Parameter Calculator is a Java(TM) Application and requires the Java(TM) Runtime Environment version 1.5.0 or higher . This application also requires an active internet connection to retrieve data from our servers.

Java Ground Motion Parameter Calculator - Version 5.0.8 (4.6 MB)

For information on anticipated updates to the seismic design values for buildings, please attend the upcoming Building Seismic Safety Council (BSSC) Seismic Design Procedures Reassessment Group (SDPRG – a.k.a., Project ‘07) Workshop.

Please read our Frequently Asked Questions for answers to common problems.

Ground motion parameters available in the new application

  1. USGS Probabilistic Hazard Curves (1996 and 2002 for the 48 conterminous states, 1998 Alaska, 1998 Hawaii, 2003 for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands)
  2. USGS Uniform Hazard response Spectra Curves (1996 and 2002 for the 48 conterminous states, 1998 Alaska, 1998 Hawaii, 2003 for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands)
  3. NEHRP Recommended Provisions for Seismic Regulations for New Buildings and Other Structures (1997, 2000, and 2003 editions)
  4. ASCE 7 Standard, Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures (1998, 2002, and 2005 editions)
  5. International Building Code (2000, 2003, and 2006 editions)
  6. International Residential Code (2000, 2003, 2004 supplement, and 2006 editions)
  7. NFPA 5000 Building Construction and Safety Code (2003 and 2006 editions)

Ground motion maps are now available in PDF format.
Ground Motion Data Files

Steps to install java

The Java(TM) 2 Runtime Environment is freely available from SUN at the URL http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp
  1. Follow the URL above
  2. Click the download link for the current Java Runtime Environment (JRE) in the middle of the page
  3. Read and Accept the License Agreement
  4. Choose the correct platform, download, and install the Java(TM) 2 Runtime Environment, Standard Edition
  5. As with all software, if you are unsure contact your System Administrator with questions