Skip to main content

Frontiers of Engineering Reports on Leading Edge Engineering from the 1996 NAE Symposium on Frontiers of Engineering (1997) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:

Development of Performance-Based Seismic Design Procedures
Pages 9-12

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.


From page 9...
... Although the general public may assume that compliance with the seismic provisions of the code provides the same level of structural performance that is achieved for gravity loads, the aim of the code actually is quite different. For a structure with an average occupancy, such as an office or apartment building, the objective of the current building codes is "to safeguard against major failures and loss of life, not to limit damage, maintain functions, or provide for easy repair" (SEAOC, 1990~.
Read the entire page →
From page 10...
... Funds available for disaster relief are not limitless, and the 1994 Northridge earthquake provided convincing evidence that an economic crisis could develop if a major earthquake occurred near a densely populated area of the United States. The concept of performance-based design was developed in an attempt to narrow the gap between the expectations that society places on building performance during an earthquake and the philosophy that structural engineers use to develop the building codes.
Read the entire page →
From page 11...
... The results of these analyses are extremely sensitive to the choice of input parameters, most algorithms are limited to modeling two-dimensional response, the influence of nonstructural elements typically is ignored, and the nonlinear analysis models are computationally intensive. Even if the structural engineering community were able to develop comprehensive and efficient modeling tools, determination of the earthquake risk at a given location would remain a major concern.
Read the entire page →
From page 12...
... Building owners are being given the opportunity to select appropriate performance levels for a facility and the option to design the structure to stricter performance levels, with the belief that disruption to normal operations will be less immediately after an earthquake. The ambiguity of the design process is thereby reduced, and expectations are stated explicitly, but the complexity of the process is increased exponentially.
Read the entire page →

Key Terms

  • structural engineers
  • structural engineering
  • building code
  • engineers association
  • gravity loads

  • structural response
  • engineering community
  • force levels
  • seismic design
  • performance levels

  • forces induced
  • design procedures
  • structural performance
  • successful structural
  • extremely sensitive

  • input parameters
  • damage levels
  • calculated structural
  • defined relative
  • boca national

  • develop comprehensive
  • seismology committee
  • compliance provides
  • disaster relief
  • modeling tools

  • national building
  • anticipated condition
  • local electrical
  • unidentified faults
  • standard building


    • This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
    More information on Chapter Skim is available.