A Comparison Between The Provisions Of Present And Past Romanian Seismic Design Codes Based On Required Structural Overstrength

Abstract

Due to several factors, the lateral resistance of a structure is usually greater than the lateral force used in seismic design. As a result, a structure has an overstrength that can be mobilized in variable amounts when the structure is subjected to lateral seismic loads. The available structural overstrength is difficult to evaluate analytically; a more promising quantity for research is required overstrength, i.e. the overstrength necessary to a structure in order to withstand specified seismic forces. Based on required overstrength, the severity of provisions concerning seismic force evaluation was assessed comparatively for the two versions of the Romanian seismic design code.