Earthquake areas

• High wind construction requirements
• Construction requirements for earthquake areas
• Acceleration coefficients between 0.12 and 0.15
• Acceleration coefficients greater than 0.15

Construction requirements for earthquake areas

Construction requirements for earthquake areas are necessary for buildings within areas of seismic activity. The two different areas are categorised by an acceleration coefficient which is:

• equal to 0.12 but less than 0.15 (detailed in Clause 3.10.2.3 of the BCA)
• 0.15 or greater (detailed in Clause 3.10.2.4 of the BCA).

Dwellings which are to be constructed in earthquake areas with a seismic activity acceleration coefficient of 0.12 or more satisfy performance requirements when:

• the soil profile of the site does not have more than 5 m of soft clay, loose sand, silt or uncontrolled fill
• they do not exceed a rise of one storey
• the roof is not clad with concrete or terracotta roof tiles
• they do not possess masonry chimneys, parapets or other masonry projections.