The Earthquake Engineering Online Archive

Predicting the performance of structures in regions of high seismicity

Penzien, Joseph

UCB/EERC-75/33, Earthquake Engineering Research Center, University of California, Berkeley, 1975-10, 49 pages (531/P371/1975)

The complete seismic design process of certain important structures based on time-history dynamic analyses is traced from the initial preliminary design stage through the final stage of predicting lifetime performance to strong-motion earthquakes. Emphasis is placed upon (1) selection of sound design procedures, (2) consideration of field and laboratory evidence, (3) application of present-day knowledge, and (4) recognition of uncertainties involved in the complete process. It is concluded that meaningful predictions of performance can be made only when formulated in a probabilistic sense.

Available online: http://nisee.berkeley.edu/documents/EERC/EERC-75-33.pdf (6 MB)