The concept of designing vertical structures to withstand seismic activity is now established practice in many parts of the United States; however, incorporating seismic resiliency in horizontal structures (e.g., pavements, utility runs, and drainage) has been limited, particularly in airport settings. As airports seek to make their facilities more resilient, practitioners need to understand what is known about the issues and consider the benefits and challenges of incorporating seismic resiliency into the design of horizontal structures. Guidelines to incorporate seismic resiliency in the design of these structures are also needed.

The objective of this research is to review available evidence-based engineering principles and practices and develop a guide to help airports incorporate seismic resiliency into their horizontal structures and supporting infrastructure.