Multi-Lat™ Supporting Tools

Google Earth (click on the link) is a free download that offers the user the ability to locate a satellite view within a Google browser. The basic version is not intended for vew capturing (a copyrighted protection) but has all of the necessary tools to locate the exact location of your building pad and identify the specific longitude and latitude of the site. The view can be zoomed in to reasonable resolution, but to obtain a clean view at higher resolution , there is a basic $20.00 shareware version.

The profit is earned on the sale of higher definition map views. For our purpose the basic download will provide more accuate results related to near fault conditions when used with the USGS Acceleration Tools than when inputing the local zip codes.

As an example, my address was input into the software which centered the zoom field over my home. Moving the mouse over the property locates the actual location of 33° 39′ 06.79″N -116° 18′ 25.74″ W. The property is 253-ft above the sea level and the top of the cove in which we live is 299-feet above sea level. The bottom of the cove is at 58-feet. The distance can be determined from a scale on the map and the sum of this information used in both the seismic and wind design sections to determine the building terrain exposure.

~ by structuralist on March 5, 2008.