Performance-based design in earthquake engineering: a multi-disciplinary review

This paper reviews the contributions of research towards the development of the methodologies associated with Performance-Based Seismic Engineering (PBSE). Research undertaken in various related disciplines is reviewed, under the broad section headings of (i) Engineering Seismology and Geology (Seismic Activity Modelling), (ii) Engineering Seismology (Seismic Hazard Modelling), (iii) Soil Dynamics, (iv) System Dynamics, and (v) Mechanics of Materials (Concrete used as example). The sequence of the discussion is consistent with a typical seismic assessment procedure, which commences with seismic activity modelling in the ‘upstream’ end of the procedure and finishes with consideration of structural mechanics behaviour at the ‘downstream’ end. Each section provides an outline of historical research and development, leading to a review of the state-of-the-art approaches. Particular emphasis is given to the inter-linking of the disciplines, and the paper refers to such links as ‘Nodal Points’. An example of a nodal point is the definition of probabilistic seismic hazard coefficients that are used to define seismic hazard in terms of elastic response spectra, for example the response spectral accelerations at key periods of 0.3 and 1.0 s. Each of the Nodal Points associated with the various disciplines has been critically reviewed, and shortcomings have been identified. For example, the inability of a probabilistic approach to fully represent an earthquake event as a physical process is highlighted. Also, the importance of putting emphasis in future research on determining the Maximum Credible (or Considered) Earthquake, MCE, is emphasised. per brings to light the fact that, although significant achievements have been made in each of the related disciplines and in the connection of the Nodal Points, there has been relatively little change in substance at the Nodal Points themselves. An important outcome of this multi-disciplinary review is the identification of some key limitations in current procedures. The source of these limitations was traced upstream, and thence to the Nodal Points that provide the inter-disciplinary links. This process has been referred to herein as Upstream Feedback. A review of the problems at these links sows the seeds for further development, which would not have been possible had all the recent contributions been confined within the individual disciplines. Such an Upstream Feedback process, enabling improvements to the multi-discipinary links, would be instrumental in enhancing the overall effectiveness of PBSE in the future.