New design thinking philosophy

Seismic Performance Levels and Procedures for

Varying Methods of Analysis Incorporating New
Rehabilitation Objectives Information and
Technologies into
Rehabilitation

Simplified and Systematic Quantitative Specifications of

Rehabilitation Methods Component Behavior

Seismic Performance Levels and Rehabilitation
Objectives
Immediate Occupancy Performance

Level (S-1)

Structural Performance Level S-1, Immediate Occupancy, means the

post-earthquake damage state in which only very limited structural
damage has

occurred. The basic vertical-, and lateral-force-resisting systems of

the building retain nearly all of their pre- earthquake strength and
stiffness. The risk of life- threatening injury as a result of
structural damage is very low, and although some minor structural
repairs may be appropriate, these would generally not be required
prior to reoccupancy.

Life Safety Performance

Level (S-3)

Structural Performance Level S-3, Life Safety, means the post-

earthquake damage state in which significant damage to the
structure has occurred, but some margin against either partial or
total structural collapse remains. Some structural elements and
components are severely damaged, but this has not resulted in
large falling debris hazards, either within or outside the building.
Injuries may occur during the earthquake; however, it is expected
that the overall risk of life-threatening injury as a result of
structural damage is low. It should be possible to repair the
structure; however, for economic reasons this may not be practical.
While the damaged structure is not an imminent collapse risk, it
would be prudent to implement structural repairs or install
temporary bracing prior to reoccupancy.

Collapse Prevention Performance

Level (S-5)

Structural Performance Level S-5, Collapse Prevention, means

the building is on the verge of experiencing partial or total
collapse. Substantial damage to the structure has occurred,
potentially including significant degradation in the stiffness
and strength of the lateral- force-resisting system, large
permanent lateral deformation of the structure, and—to a more
limited extent—degradation in vertical-load-carrying capacity.
However, all significant components of the gravity- load-
resisting system must continue to carry their gravity load
demands. Significant risk of injury due to falling hazards from
structural debris may exist. The structure may not be technically
practical to repair and is not safe for reoccupancy, as
aftershock activity could induce collapse.

Structural Performance Not

Considered (S-6)

Some owners may desire to address certain nonstructural

vulnerabilities in a rehabilitation program—for example,
bracing parapets, or anchoring hazardous materials storage
containers—without addressing the performance of the
structure itself. Such rehabilitation programs are sometimes
attractive because they can permit a significant reduction in
seismic risk at relatively low cost. The actual performance of
the structure with regard to Guidelines requirements is not
known and could range from a potential collapse hazard to a
structure capable of meeting the Immediate Occupancy
Performance Level.
Limited Safety Performance Range

(S-4)

Structural Performance Range S-4, Limited Safety,

means the continuous range of damage states
between the Life Safety and Collapse Prevention
levels. Design parameters for this range may be
obtained by interpolating between the values
provided for the Life Safety (S-3) and Collapse
Prevention (S-5) levels.
Operational Performance Level (N-A)

Nonstructural Performance Level A, Operational,

means the post-earthquake damage state of the
building in which the nonstructural components are
able to support the building’s intended function. At
this level, most nonstructural systems required for
normal use of the building—including lighting,
plumbing, HVAC, and computer systems—are
functional, although minor cleanup and repair of
some items may be required. This performance level
requires considerations beyond those that are
normally within the sole province of the structural
engineer. In addition to assuring that nonstructural
components are properly mounted and braced
within the structure, in order to achieve this
performance it is often necessary to provide
emergency standby utilities. In addition, it may be
necessary to perform rigorous qualification testing
of the ability of key electrical and mechanical
equipment items to function during or after strong
shaking.

Specific design procedures and acceptance criteria

for this performance level are not included in the
Guidelines. Users wishing to design for this
performance level will need to refer to appropriate
criteria from other sources, such as equipment
manufacturers’ data, to ensure the performance of
mechanical and electrical systems.

Immediate Occupancy Level (N-B)

Nonstructural Performance Level B, Immediate

Occupancy, means the post-earthquake damage
state in which only limited nonstructural damage
has occurred. Basic access and life safety systems,
including doors, stairways, elevators, emergency
lighting, fire alarms, and suppression systems,
remain operable, provided that power is available.
There could be minor window breakage and slight
damage to some components. Presuming that the
building is structurally safe, it is expected that
occupants could safely remain in the building,
although normal use may be impaired and some
cleanup and inspection may be required. In
general, components of mechanical and electrical

Life Safety Level (N-C)

Nonstructural Performance Level C, Life Safety,

is the post-earthquake damage state in which
potentially significant and costly damage has
occurred to nonstructural components but they
have not become dislodged and fallen,
threatening life safety either within or outside
the building. Egress routes within the building
are not extensively blocked, but may be impaired
by lightweight debris. HVAC, plumbing, and fire
suppression systems may have been damaged,
resulting in local flooding as well as loss of
function. While injuries may occur during the
earthquake from the failure of nonstructural
components, it is expected that, overall, the risk
of life-threatening injury is very low.
Restoration of the nonstructural components
may take extensive effort.
Hazards Reduced Level (N-D)

Nonstructural Performance Level D, Hazards

Reduced, represents a post-earthquake
damage state level in which extensive
damage has occurred to nonstructural
components, but large or heavy items that
pose a falling hazard to a number of
people—such as parapets, cladding panels,
heavy plaster ceilings, or storage racks— are
prevented from falling. While isolated
serious injury could occur from falling
debris, failures that could injure large
numbers of persons—either inside or outside
the structure—should be avoided. Exits, fire
suppression systems, and similar life-safety
issues are not addressed in this
performance level.

Nonstructural Performance Not

Considered (N-E)

In some cases, the decision may be made to

rehabilitate the structure without addressing
the vulnerabilities of nonstructural
components. It may be desirable to do this
when rehabilitation must be performed
without interruption of building operation.
In some cases, it is possible to perform all
or most of the structural rehabilitation
from outside occupied building areas, while
extensive disruption of normal operation
may be required to perform nonstructural
rehabilitation.
 Building Performance Levels
Building Performance Levels are obtained by
combining Structural and Nonstructural Performance
Levels. A large number of combinations is possible.
Each Building Performance Level is designated alpha-
numerically with a numeral representing the Structural
Performance Level and a letter representing the
Nonstructural Performance Level

Operational Level (1-A)

This Building Performance Level is a combination of
the Structural Immediate Occupancy Level and the
Nonstructural Operational Level. Buildings meeting
this performance level are expected to sustain minimal
or no damage to their structural and nonstructural
components. The building is suitable for its normal
occupancy and use, although possibly in a slightly
impaired mode, with power, water, and other required
utilities provided from emergency sources, and
possibly
with some nonessential systems not functioning.
Buildings meeting this performance level pose an
extremely low risk to life safety.
Under very low levels of earthquake ground motion,
most buildings should be able to meet or exceed this
performance level. Typically, however, it will not be
economically practical to design for this performance
under severe levels of ground shaking, except for
buildings that house essential services.

Immediate Occupancy Level (1-B)

This Building Performance Level is a combination of

the Structural and Nonstructural Immediate Occupancy
levels. Buildings meeting this performance level are
expected to sustain minimal or no damage to their
structural elements and only minor damage to their
nonstructural components. While it would be safe to
reoccupy a building meeting this performance level
immediately following a major earthquake,
nonstructural systems may not function due to either a
lack of electrical power or internal damage to the
building is possible, it may be necessary to perform
some cleanup and repair, and await the restoration of
utility service, before the building could function in a
normal mode. The risk to life safety at this
performance level is very low.

Many building owners may wish to achieve this level of

performance when the building is subjected to
moderate levels of earthquake ground motion. In
addition, some owners may desire such performance
for very important buildings, under severe levels of
earthquake ground shaking. This level provides most of
the protection obtained under the Operational Level,
without the cost of providing standby utilities and
performing rigorous seismic qualification of equipment
performance.
Life Safety Level (3-C)

This Building Performance Level is a combination of

the Structural and Nonstructural Life Safety levels.
Buildings meeting this level may experience extensive
damage to structural and nonstructural components.
Repairs may be required before reoccupancy of the
building occurs, and repair may be deemed
economically impractical. The risk to life in buildings
meeting this performance level is low.

This performance level entails somewhat more damage

than anticipated for new buildings that have been
properly designed and constructed for seismic
resistance when subjected to their design earthquakes.
Many building owners will desire to meet this
performance level for a severe level of ground shaking.

Collapse Prevention Level (5-E)

This Building Performance Level consists of the

Structural Collapse Prevention Level with no
consideration of nonstructural vulnerabilities, except
that parapets and heavy appendages are rehabilitated.
Buildings meeting this performance level may pose a
significant hazard to life safety resulting from failure
of nonstructural components. However, because the
building itself does not collapse, gross loss of life
should be avoided. Many buildings meeting this level
will be complete economic losses.

This level has sometimes been selected as the basis for

mandatory seismic rehabilitation ordinances enacted
by municipalities, as it results in mitigation of the
most severe life-safety hazards at relatively low cost.
The Analysis Procedures indicate the building’s response to the design earthquake(s) and the
forces and deformations imposed on the various components, as well as global drift demands
on the structure. When LSP or LDP analysis is performed, acceptability of component behavior is
evaluated for each of the component’s various actions using Equation E-1 for ductile
(deformation-controlled) actions and Equation E-2 for non-ductile (force-controlled) actions.
Figure below indicates typical idealized force-deformation curves for various types of
component actions.

The type 1 curve is representative of typical ductile behavior. It is characterized by an elastic

range (point 0 to point 1 on the curve), followed by a plastic range (points 1 to 3) that may
include strain hardening or softening (points 1 to 2), and a strength-degraded range (points 2
to 3) in which the residual force that can be resisted is significantly less than the peak strength,
but still substantial. Acceptance criteria for primary elements that exhibit this behavior are
typically within the elastic or plastic ranges between the points 1 and points 2 depending on the
Performance Level. Acceptance criteria for secondary elements can be within any of the ranges.
Primary component actions exhibiting this behavior are considered deformation-controlled if
the strain-hardening or strain-softening range is sufficiently large e > 2g; otherwise, they are
considered force- controlled. Secondary component actions exhibiting this behavior are typically
considered to be deformation-controlled.

The type 2 curve is representative of another type of ductile behavior. It is characterized by an

elastic range and a plastic range, followed by a rapid and complete loss of strength. If the
plastic range is sufficiently large (e >= 2g), this behavior is categorized as deformation-
controlled. Otherwise it is categorized as force- controlled. Acceptance criteria for primary
and secondary components exhibiting this behavior will be within the elastic or plastic ranges,
depending on the performance level.

The type 3 curve is representative of a brittle or nonductile behavior. It is characterized by an

elastic range, followed by a rapid and complete loss of strength. Component actions displaying
this behavior are always categorized as force-controlled. Acceptance criteria for primary and
secondary components exhibiting this behavior are always within the elastic range.
Figure below shows an idealized force versus deformation curve that is
used throughout the Guidelines to specify acceptance criteria for
deformation-controlled component and element actions for any of the
four basic types of materials. Linear response is depicted between point A
(unloaded component) and an effective yield point B. The slope from B to
C is typically a small percentage (0–10%) of the elastic slope, and is
included to represent phenomena such as strain hardening. C has an
ordinate that represents the strength of the component, and an abscissa
value equal to the deformation at which significant strength degradation
begins (line CD). Beyond point D, the component responds with substantially
reduced strength to point E. At deformations greater than point E, the
component strength is essentially zero.
Steel moment frames are those frames that develop their seismic resistance through bending of beams and columns and shearing
of panel zones. Moment-resisting connections with calculable resistance are required between the members. The frames are
categorized by the types of connection used and by the local and global stability of the members. Moment frames may act alone
to resist seismic loads, or they may act in conjunction with concrete or masonry shear walls or braced steel frames to form a
dual system. [2-1]/5.4

Columns, beams, and connections are the components of moment frames. Beams and columns may be built-up members from
plates, angles, and channels, cast or wrought iron segments, hot-rolled members, or cold- formed steel sections. Built-up
members may be assembled by riveting, bolting, or welding. Connections between the members may be fully restrained (FR),
partially restrained (PR), or nominally unrestrained (simple shear or pinned). The components may be bare steel, steel with a
nonstructural coating for fire protection, or steel with either concrete or masonry encasement for fire protection.

Two types of frames are categorized in this document. Fully restrained (FR) moment frames are those frames for which no
more than 5% of the lateral deflections arise from connection deformation. Partially restrained (PR) moment frames are those
frames for which more than 5% of the lateral deflections result from connection deformation. In each case, the 5% value
refers only to deflection due to beam-column deformation and not to frame deflections that result from column panel zone
deformation.
Fully restrained (FR) moment frames are those moment frames with rigid connections. The connection shall be at least as strong as
the weaker of the two members being joined. Connection deformation may contribute no more than 5% (not including panel zone
deformation) to the total lateral deflection of the frame. If either of these conditions is not satisfied, the frame shall be
characterized as partially restrained. The most common beam-to-column connection used in steel FR moment frames since the late
1950s required the beam flange to be welded to the column flange using complete joint penetration groove welds. Many of these
connections have fractured during recent earthquakes

The design professional is

referred to the Commentary
and to FEMA 267 (SAC, 1995).

Fully restrained moment frames encompass both Special Moment Frames and Ordinary Moment
Frames, defined in the Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings in Part 6 of AISC
(1994a). These terms are not used in the Guidelines, but most of the requirements for these
systems are reflected in AISC (1994a).

Ordinary Moment Resisting Frame (OMRF) is a moment-resisting frame not meeting special detailing requirements for ductile
behavior. Special Moment Resisting Frame (SMRF) is a moment- resisting frame specially detailed to provide ductile behavior

When it comes to steel moment frames, there are three types of frames defined in
the code — ordinary moment frames (OMF), intermediate moment frames (IMF)
and special moment frames (SMF). They are listed in the table below along with
their Response Modification Coefficient (R-value), Overstrength Factor (Ωο), and
Deflection Amplification Factor (Cd) per ASCE 7.
Typically OMF are used in wind regions, where a stiff, non-yielding frame is desired. SMF are typically used in seismic regions
where more ductility is needed. Graphics below illustrate the difference in ductility between the three moment frame types.[2-2]
a model directly incorporating inelastic material response is displaced to a target displacement, and resulting internal
deformations and forces are determined [2-1]/3.3.3.
The relation between base shear force and lateral
displacement of the control node shall be
established for control node displacements
ranging between zero and

150% of the target displacement, t

Acceptance criteria shall be based on those
forces and deformations (in components and
elements) corresponding to a minimum
horizontal. displacement of the control node
equal to t .
The NSP requires definition of the control
node in a building. The control node is the
center of mass at the roof of a building; the
top of a penthouse should not be considered
as the roof. The displacement of the control
node is compared with the target
displacement-a displacement that
characterizes the effects of earthquake
shaking.
The guidelines for determining the expected yield (Fye)

and tensile (Fte) strengths are given below.

• If original construction documents defining properties—including material test records or material test reports
(MTR)—exist, material tests need not be carried out, at the discretion of the design professional. Default values from Table
5-2 may be used. Larger values may be used, at the discretion of the design professional, if available historical data
substantiates them. Larger values should be used if the assumptions produce a larger demand on associated connections.

• If original construction documents defining properties are limited or do not exist, but the date of construction is
known and the single material used is confirmed to be carbon steel, at least three strength coupons shall be randomly
removed from each component type. Conservative material properties such as those given in Table 5-2 may be used in lieu
of testing, at the discretion of the design professional.

• If no knowledge exists of the structural system and materials used, at least two strength tensile coupons should be
removed from each component type for every four floors. If it is determined from testing that more than one material
grade exists, additional testing should be performed until the extent of use for each grade in component fabrication has
been established. If it is determined that all components are made from steel, the requirements immediately preceding
this may be followed.

In the absence of construction records defining welding filler metals and processes used, at least one weld metal
sample for each construction type should be obtained for laboratory testing. The sample shall consist of both local base
and weld metal, such that composite strength of the connection can be derived. Steel and weld filler material properties
discussed in Section [Link] should also be obtained. Because of the destructive nature and necessary repairs that follow,
default strength properties may be substituted if original records on welding exist, unless the design professional
requires more accurate data. If ductility and toughness are required at or near the weld, the design professional may
conservatively assume that no ductility is available, in lieu of testing. In this case the joint would have to be modified.
Special requirements for welded moment frames are given in FEMA 267 (SAC,

1995) and the latest edition of ANSI/AWS D1.1

Structural Welding Code.

• Testing requirements for bolts and rivets are the same as for other steel components as given above. In lieu of
testing, default values from Table 5-2 may be used.

• For archaic materials, including wrought iron but excluding cast iron, at least three strength coupons shall be
extracted for each component type for every four floors of construction. Should significant variability be observed, in
the judgment of the design professional, additional tests shall be performed until an acceptable strength value is
obtained. If initial tests provide material properties that are consistent with properties given in

Table 5-1, tests are required only for every six floors of construction.

For all laboratory test results, the mean yield and tensile strengths may be interpreted as the expected strength for
component strength calculations.

For other material properties, the design professional shall determine the particular need for this type of testing and
establish an adequate protocol consistent with that given above. In general, it is recommended that a minimum of three
tests be conducted.

If a higher degree of confidence in results is desired, the sample size shall be determined using ASTM Standard E22
guidelines. Alternatively, the prior knowledge of material grades from Section [Link] may be used in conjunction with
Bayesian statistics to gain greater confidence with the reduced sample sizes noted above. The design professional is
encouraged to use the procedures contained in the Commentary in this regard.
Seismic Waves
Basic
Earthqucke
Knowledge
Modal analysis
or the mode-superposition method, is a linear
,

dynamic-response procedure which evaluates and

superimposes free-vibration mode shapes to
characterize displacement patterns. Mode shapes
describe the configurations into which a structure will
naturally displace. Typically, lateral displacement
patterns are of primary concern. Mode shapes of low-
order mathematical expression tend to provide the
greatest contribution to structural response. As orders
increase, mode shapes contribute less, and are
predicted less reliably. It is reasonable to truncate
analysis when the number of mode shapes is sufficient.
A structure with N degrees of freedom will have N
corresponding mode shapes. Each mode shape is an
independent and normalized displacement pattern
which may be amplified and superimposed to create a
resultant displacement pattern, as shown in Figure
below.
 [Link]
al-systems/strong-frame-moment-
frames/steel-moment/types

[Link]
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