Licensed P.E. Owned & Operated
WA: SEATTSL807JL | OR: 253897

The Basics of a Seismic Retrofit for Buildings in Seattle

Cutaway diagram of a house foundation showing pre- and post-retrofit cripple wall with added sheathing, anchor bolts, and framing angles for earthquake reinforcement; ventilation holes and blocking are labeled.

A seismic retrofit is the process where a building is upgraded structurally to better withstand the seismic forces it might experience from an earthquake. Reinforcement and additional connections are made at weak points so that the building is tied together and anchored to the foundation. Common failure modes for commercial buildings are: the builidng sliding […]