The Field Act: Protecting California

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The Field Act Protecting Californias Schools
from Seismic Hazards
Timothy DawsonEngineering GeologistCalifornia
Geological Survey, Menlo Park
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Du Bin for the New York Times
Xinjian Primary School Kindergarten (left) and
Hotel (right) survived with little damage
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1933 Long Beach Earthquake

• Occurred March 10, 1933, 554 PM
• (timing is everything)

• M 6.4

Newport Inglewood fault zone

• 120 fatalities

• 120 schools in Long Beach area, 70
• destroyed

• 50M (1933 dollars)

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Long Beach Polytechnic High School, Long Beach
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Alexander Hamilton Junior High School, Long Beach
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Jefferson Junior High School Worst of the worst?
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Compton School
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Compton School. Note rain of bricks at the
entrance
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Stanford School, Long Beach A reinforced
concrete seismic survivor
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Franklin Junior High School, Long Beach
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AFTERMATH
1933 - Enactment of the Field Act. Enacted as
an on April 10, 1933 one month after the
earthquake. 1939 - Enactment of the Garrison
Act. Enacted in order to protect public school
children in structures built before 1933.
However, school districts not required to make
necessary inspections. 1967 to Present -
Various amendments. Schools required to make
necessary inspections and retrofitting or
abandonment of unsafe structures. Geologic
investigations required in Alquist-Priolo
Zones. Many other modifications.
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Provisions of the Field Act

• Authorizes the State Architect to develop
  state-wide building code.
• Division of the State Architect (DSA) given
  authority to approve or reject plans for
  construction of new schools and alterations to
  existing buildings.
• California-licensed architect or structural
  engineer responsible for preparation of plans.
• DSA reviews plans and issues certificate of
  compliance once project is approved.
• Violation of the provision of the Act is a
  felony.

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CGS Role in the Field Act
Under contract to DSA to review geotechnical and
geological aspects of school sites
Seismic Design (Ground motion)
Landslides
Surface fault rupture
Liquefaction
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http//www.conservation.ca.gov/cgs/News/Documents/
1933_EQ_poster.pdf
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Juyuan Middle School