The best way to minimize damage from earthquakes is to predict their location and effects and reinforce against those possible effects. Toward that end, this book presents prediction methods useful for the design of earthquake-resistant structures. In the first of two parts, the book deals with issues relating to the characterisation and the rational definition of seismic input. It begins with a study of earthquake records that leads to the identification of their damage potential parameters, such as the peak ground acceleration and the strong motion duration. Subsequent chapters concern themselves with the deterministic and probabilistic methodologies for producing seismic inputs. Further chapters are dedicated to the generation of artificial seismic input on the basis of stochastic or probabilistic approaches. The second part of this volume deals with the effects of ground motion on foundation elements and structural integrity. Particular emphasis is given to the interaction of foundation piles with vibrating soils, homogeneous or heterogeneous. The final two chapters are concerned with the possible connection between soil structure interaction (SSI) and structural damage. In both instances records of actual earthquake induced motion are used for such assessments.