Which term describes the study of conditions that could influence earthquake impacts on a bridge?

• A. Topographic surveys
• B. Geotechnical surveys
• C. Seismic surveys
• D. Traffic surveys

Answer: (C)

Understanding how an earthquake could affect a bridge means looking at conditions that influence how the ground and site respond during shaking—things like ground motion characteristics, site effects, and potential fault-related impacts. Seismic surveys are the term used for investigating these earthquake-related conditions, guiding how the structure would experience loads and possible damage during an event. Topographic surveys map surface features, but they don’t focus on earthquake effects. Geotechnical surveys study soil and foundation properties, which are important for seismic response but aren’t the specific term for evaluating earthquake-related conditions as a whole. Traffic surveys are unrelated to seismic impact.