How do engineers test buildings?

Hello Liz,

I came across your question and I wanted to give my 2 cents. I am a structural/civil engineer and licensed in 20 States including CA. Of all the States, CA has the most seismic (earthquake) activities. The main reason I decided to become a structural engineer was due to my own experience as a senior in high school in the San Francisco/Bay Area when the 1989 La Loma Prieta earthquake struck the Bay Area without warning. When structural engineers design buildings in high-seismic regions, such as CA and other Westcoast States, we have to meet all applicable sections of the building codes related to seismic resistance. In other words, the buildings/structures that we design must be able to resist earthquake forces to make these spaces safe for all occupants. The seismic provisions of the building codes have been written and updated based on investigations of earthquakes that happened during the course of history. Everytime there's an incredible earthquake, structural engineers gather to improve the seismic provisions of the building codes in order to hold public safety paramount.

I am a civil engineer so all of work tends to stop 5' from the building.