A procedure for applying economic analysis to seismic design decisions

Abstract

The seismic provisions of model building codes are often not enforced by municipalities because of an incorrect perception of the risks and benefits involved. The objective of this study is to present and evaluate a practical procedure which uses engineering and economic principles to optimize the design requirements for a single project. The procedure is applied to a six-storey building in St. Louis, Missouri. The example illustrates the relatively high levels of seismic resistance can be justified economically, even in areas of moderate seismic risk, such as St. Louis. Expansion of the procedure to code optimization is discussed. © 1986.