Sample interview questions: Have you ever designed a foundation for a structure located in a seismic zone? If so, how did you incorporate seismic design considerations into the foundation design?
Sample answer:
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Seismic Site Classification: I would begin by classifying the seismic site in accordance with relevant building codes and standards, such as ASCE 7 or Eurocode 8. This classification considers factors like soil type, liquefaction potential, and proximity to seismic faults to determine the level of seismic hazard at the site.
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Seismic Design Loads: Based on the seismic site classification, I would calculate the seismic design loads for the structure using appropriate seismic response spectra. These spectra provide the expected ground accelerations and their corresponding frequencies for a given seismic hazard level.
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Foundation Selection: The choice of foundation type depends on several factors, including the structure’s size, weight, and geometry, as well as the soil conditions and seismic design loads. For structures in seismic zones, I would consider foundation options that can withstand lateral forces and minimize the risk of foundation failure during an earthquake. Some common options include:
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Pile Foundations: Piles are deep foundations that transfer loads to deeper, more stable soil layers. They can provide good resistance against lateral forces and are often used for structures in high seismic zones.
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Caissons: Caissons are deep foundations similar to piles but have a larger diameter. … Read full answer
Source: https://hireabo.com/job/3_0_20/Foundation%20Engineer
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