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EERI Distinguished Lecture 1997 Professional Commitments to Earthquake Engineering

Philosophical concepts, biased toward structural design in seismic regions, are offered. Certain misconceptions in the aims, planning and execution of structural design are sketched. Apparent diverging professional interests, motivating on the one hand young academics dedicated to pursuing challenges in research, and on the other hand those of experienced practitioners, are contrasted. A plea is made to use in seismic design rationality and simplicity in application. The primary aim in the art of structural design should be to impart to the system specific properties that will make the seismic response of our buildings extremely tolerant with respect to earthquake-induced demands, which presently we can predict only with considerable crudeness. A postulated rational and deterministic, yet simple, design strategy should be implemented with equal dedication to high-quality construction. This part of the creative effort is likely to result in properties of the finished product, our buildings, which earthquakes will also recognize and respect. An appeal is made to all those committed to earthquake engineering to engage in active and generous support of technology transfer in an attempt to alleviate the overwhelming and immediate needs of societies in developing countries.