Question

In designing structures in an earthquake-prone region, how should the natural frequencies of oscillation of a structure relate to typical earthquake frequencies? why?
Should the structure have a large or small amount of damping?

Answer 1

Answer:

Natural frequencies of oscillation and typical earthquake frequencies should be different.

Damping on the structure should be large.

Explanation:

The natural frequency of the structure must be different from the typical earthquake frequency, the more different the better. This is because if both frequencies were the same or similar there is a risk that the building will resonate and collapse.

As for the damping, it must have a high value. This so that the building resists earthquakes better and prevents it from moving dangerously, thus damping on the structure should be large.