Short Course: Tsunamis - The How and Why of Designing for Disaster

Despite affecting only a small portion of US land area and the absence of major events for hundreds of years, tsunami hazard represents a significant engineering challenge requiring specialized design approaches. Recent devastating tsunamis worldwide have highlighted the importance of proper structural preparation. In response, US coastal communities have begun implementing proactive mitigation strategies, and engineering standards have evolved, with tsunami design provisions first appearing in ASCE 7-16. This presentation examines the development of tsunami hazard assessment methodologies and their translation into practical design loads for structures. We will explore the unique engineering challenges involved in tsunami-resistant design and discuss practical considerations for meeting challenging performance objectives.