Earthquake resistant design

Abstract

Earthquake resistant design is carried out to ensure a desired structural behavior in the case of a seismic event with given recurrence interval. The seismic excitation of a structure depends on the characteristics of the earthquake ground (Image Presented).motion and on the inertia of the structure. The stiffness, strength, damping, and ductility of the structure interact with the ground motion to amplify or reduce the structural response to the earthquake, and hence the design forces and displacements. Earthquake resistant design can be achieved through the direct design of structural elements to resist the applied earthquake loads coupled with requirements for regularity of structural form, good interconnection of elements, and capacity design principles for the control of the building failure mechanism. Alternatively, devices can be used to reduce seismic actions on the structure by isolating it from the ground or to enhance its energy dissipation capacity.