The present research issue is about the philosophy of building design and specifically about the vitality of a rational design approach when earthquake requirements dominate on design. This happens because we commonly accept the risk of earthquake damage as higher than that of other extreme loads, such as maximum mobile load or wind pressure.

  Earthquake is a sudden, in alternating directions, movement of the foundation ground for a short while. Structures, the majority of which are supple, developing acceleration higher than that of the ground. The quotient m (mass)/ k (rigidity) is what determines the intensity of acceleration.

  There are three construction systems used for the main body of buildings made of reinforced concrete. A) Static system of framework, called joist on pole, which can easily carry the vertical loads of a building and at the same time cope adequately with horizontal forces, such as earthquake. B) Partition walls used in building as long as they don’t interfere with architectural and functional requirements. They exclusively deal with horizontal forces without being affected by gravity loads which are carried by secondary elements existing in the building.

C) A combination of the previous systems, called mixed system.

  Earthquake requirements play a major role in the shape of the building and also in the position of its elements. The so called irregularities in building design is a major  issue that a researcher has to face. Asymmetry is the main form of irregularity but not the only one. A building simple in shape and with a symmetrical ground plan may be asymmetrical in distribution of mass of its internal elements, which could be dangerous incase of earthquake.

  Generally, a modern researcher when design a building in a seismically active zone must control and foresee all factors affecting the structure and simultaneously take in consideration the specific functional requirements.