GHANA GEOTECHNICAL SOCIETY (GGS)

EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING STAKEHOLDERS WORKSHOP HELD IN ACCRA

ON 11TH NOVEMBER 2010 REPORT
1.0

INTRODUCTION

Recent earthquake news around the world has raised some alarm levels in the context of disaster
management, hazard zones and education, to mention a few. During the early part of 2010, there
was an earthquake scare in Ghana that generated security concern and a lot of sleepless night.
The epicenter of this seismic scare is still unknown as the nation continues to search. Those with,
at least, appreciable level of knowledge about the subject kept wondering about this scare. This
convinced them that the level of understanding and appreciation of earthquakes by the ordinary
Ghanaian is questionable. Therefore a mechanism to pave the way forward is important to get
the understanding through.
On this basis, the collaborators: the Department of Civil Engineering (KNUST), the Ghana
Institution of Engineers (GhIE), Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE), Savants Engineering saw the
need to extend invitation to important stakeholders for this earthquake engineering workshop.
The stakeholders included Ghana Geotechnical Society (GGS), Ghana Atomic Energy
Commission, NADMO, University of Ghana (Dept of Geology) etc.
The content of the workshop was basically centered on seismological, geotechnical and
structural angles to assist design of earthquake resistant structures. In addition, design
methodologies utilized by Savant Engineering for designing earthquake resistant structures were
presented. Further the prediction of the level of disaster as a result of earthquake on the six (6no)
major water supply dams in Ghana coupled with NADMOs activities in line with preparedness
for earthquake disaster were also presented.
The programme was preceded with a keynote address delivered by the President of the GhIE, Ing
Kwesi Kwakwa. The sum of his address was that Ghana has seismic challenges and there was
the need for local design code to assist Ghanaian engineers design earthquake resistant
structures.
A summary of contents for topics delivered are subsequently presented.

2.0

TOPICS

2.1

State of earthquake ground motion characterization in Ghana

This was delivered by Paulina Amponsah (Dr), seismologist, from Ghana Atomic Energy
Commission. A brief historical background of earthquakes in Ghana was reviewed. Historically
earthquakes occurrence dates back in the 17th century and, magnitudes between 5.7 and 7.1 on
the Richter scale have been recorded. Several shocks have been experienced in recent times with
magnitudes ranging between 3.8 and 4.8. All these observations of earthquake incidences have
occurred within the southern stretch of Ghana. Due to lack of instrumentation and other logistics
ground motion database for Ghana has not been captured over the years to assist risk zoning.
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However synthetic seismograms can be used as a preventive measure. This represents a model
technique to generate seismic reflection response of geological structures or settings. This is then
used to match the predicted effects of particular earthquakes. Synthetic seismograms are
generated using specialist geophysical software. A work based on such model by the presenter,
in Accra, shows that terrains with unconsolidated deposit are most hazardous to earthquake
effect.
It came to light that Ghana could generate ground motion data based on geological, geotechnical
and geophysical (synthetic modeling) parameters so that seismic hazard map is produced to serve
as a guide for earthquake resistant design.
Soil characterization and its effects on Buildings during earthquakes

2.2

The facilitator for this topic was Prof S.I.K. Ampadu, Provost College of Engineering, of
KNUST. The presentation mentioned two main theories associated with earthquakes: plate
tectonics and faulting. The challenges, from geotechnical point of view, of earthquakes are
possible trigger of liquefaction and landslides. This means site investigation is vital to
characterize terrains because the effect of earthquakes on buildings will largely depend on in situ
soil properties. Site investigation will also assist to delineate areas that are problematic to
enhance the appropriate decision making with regards to design and disaster management. Site
investigation is accomplished by field and laboratory investigations. Information gathered could
provide useful input for earthquake resistant design.
Performance-based Seismic Design Practice (PBSD)

2.3

This is termed the next-generation seismic design procedures and guidelines that will allow
design engineers in the built environment to better work with stakeholders in identifying credible
seismic performance of existing and new building. The logic behind the PBSD is to:

assess and improve the performance of buildings designed to a building code life
safety level that in all possibility will suffer structural and nonstructural damages in a
severe event
effectively meet the performance target of current building codes by providing
demonstrable alternatives to current prescriptive codes requirements.

A walkthrough existing conventional design codes was presented. Arguments have emerged
about the loss of lives and properties during intense seismic eruptions even though these
conventional approaches were adopted for design. The emergence of the PBSD seeks to handle
this challenge. The structure of PBSD is to be able to quantify risk in the built environment so
that stakeholders will understand the potential for casualties, repair cost etc. The
recommendation to adopt PBSD in Ghana requires that challenges such as calibration of
performance and earthquake hazard levels, and acceptability criteria are dealt with.
2.4

Design of earthquake (resistant) structures

This was facilitated by Ing Duncan-Williams of Savants Engineering. The facilitator presented
four (4) key analytical methodologies namely: equivalent lateral force procedure, dynamic
analysis procedure, push over analysis and other methods, which included seismic isolation and
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damping procedures, and linear and nonlinear response history procedure. It was made known
that the international building code and other codes require that dynamic load procedure is used
for virtually all structural types. He outlined steps being used by his outfit for seismic resistant
design, which basically follows conventional analytical cycle. He also observed by conclusion
that site specific spectra response acceleration (SRA) is needed for Ghana coupled with
geotechnical and geological inputs.
Dams and Water resources under earthquake

2.5

This presentation was made by Ing Ogyiri, Chief Executive, of ABP Consult Ltd. An
introduction to the types of dams and other factors that promote seismic trigger was done. The
content of his delivery was on the state of the six (6) major water supply dams in Ghana. It was
made known that an extensive assessment on the associated risk on these dams due to seismic
activities has been undertaken. A data on dam fact sheet provided showed peak ground
acceleration (PGA) ranging between 0.10g and 0.25g at these dam locations. The six major water
supply dams are:

Weija Rockfill with clay core

Kwanyaku Concrete dam with earth embankment
Brimsu Concrete gravity dam
Inchaban Concrete gravity dam
Owabi Concrete gravity
Barekese Siphon spillway gravity dam

It was observed that PGA decreases as one move from Accra. It was also mentioned that an
emergency preparedness plan (EPP) has been put in place within the environs of these dam
location. This is collaboration between Ghana Water Ltd and NADMO.
Preparedness of earthquake disaster

2.6

This topic was handled by a NADMO representative. They agreed that Ghana, especially Accra,
is an earthquake prone zone and therefore there is the need to prepare for the unlikely event.
NADMO is responsible for putting in place disaster management plans and well as advising
government on disaster issues. These plans have not adequately been implemented because of
some challenges as follows:

Inadequate building code and guide

Weak compliance with public regulation
Weak collaboration between researchers and lead disaster agents
Conclusion

2.7

The workshop agreed that a code of practice to aid in the design of seismic resistant
structures is very important in Ghana. It was recommended that designers could utilize

the revised design code by BRRI as a starting point so that it could be reviewed with
time.
It was also suggested that geotechnical and seismic investigations are implemented for
major projects.
Seismic risk map of Ghana is paramount
A committee was set up to come out with seismic risk map of Ghana. The committee
comprises Ing Prof. Ampadu, Ing B-Chedid, Ing Dr. Akayuli, Dr. Paulina Amponsah, Dr.
Akoto and a representative from Geological Survey
A committee comprising Ing Dr. Allotey, Ing Duncan-Williams, Ing Dr. AdomAsamoah, Ing Akwaboah, Ing J. Quarshie and Ing Dr. Solomon Ayeh will handle the
promotion of PBSD.