Performance-Based Seismic Assessment: Simplified Methods and Collapse Indicators

Abstract eng:
Performance-based seismic assessment has developed significantly in the past 20 years. Despite our best efforts to improve the quantitative tools to characterize seismic hazard, nonlinear responses, elemental behaviour, uncertainties, damages and losses – the reality is an accurate prediction of building performance in earthquakes is still very challenging for researchers and practitioners alike. We argue the overemphasis on numerical procedure and the departure from understanding the seismic behaviour is detrimental to the performance-based assessment outcomes. In our practice, the focus of a performance-based seismic assessment is on ascertaining the likely building behaviour and the governing inelastic mechanism such that informed decision can be made of the implied seismic risk and required seismic strengthening. This is generally done via simplified analysis methods and assessment of collapse indicators called severe structural weaknesses. This paper challenges some of the fundamental concepts in performance-based seismic assessments in the context of international and New Zealand research. It presents some thoughts on the research needs for performance-based seismic assessment to truly fulfill its potential.

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