A new method for scaling of earthquake records using input energy of structures

Abstract

SummaryNonlinear response history analysis is conducted as the most trusted and accurate method in the seismic analysis and design of buildings. Since the selection of appropriate records is inherent in this procedure, numerous attempts have been made to use earthquake records that represent a good prediction of future earthquakes. Scaling existing earthquake records is considered as one of the most important tools to fulfill this goal. This paper introduces a new method for scaling ground motion time histories in which elastic input energy is considered as intensity measure. In the new scaling procedure, the scale factor is obtained by minimizing the residual between the elastic input energy of structures for the desired records and the maximum probable input energy of the target spectrum. The efficiency and the accuracy of the proposed method are evaluated and compared with those resulting from the method of ASCE/SEI 7. The results demonstrate that the records scaled with the proposed method lead to more accurate and efficient demand parameters.