The Earthquake Engineering Online Archive

Construction of inelastic response spectra for single-degree-of-freedom systems: computer program and applications

Mahin, Stephen A.; Lin, Jonathan P.

UCB/EERC-83/17, Earthquake Engineering Research Center, University of California, Berkeley, 1983-06, 87 pages (530/M2/1984)

The computer program described in this report can be used for analyzing the inelastic response of viscously damped single degree-of-freedom systems to either support excitation or external loadings. Various methods of developing design aids based on computed inelastic response are discussed. The program can be used to obtain detailed information regarding the inelastic response of a system and to study systematically the effect of variations in the mechanical and dynamic characteristics of the system and of different excitations. Theoretical formulations and solution schemes used in the computer program are described. The definitions and limitations of different response indicies, including various types of ductility factors, are examined. Procedures for constructing ductility-based response spectra appropriate for design are presented. In several examples, the computer program is applied in generating response of single degree-of-freedom systems. Response spectra are presented. Observations regarding inelastic behavior of structures are also described. Conclusions regarding the applicability of these results and the need to extend these methods to multiple degree-of-freedom systems are offered.

Available online: http://nisee.berkeley.edu/documents/EERC/EERC-83-17.pdf (5 MB)