Simplified methods for seismic assessment of existing buildings

Abstract

Besides the complex instructions of guidance documents for seismic rehabilitation of existing buildings, some institutions have provided simple criteria in terms of simplified rehabilitations. ASCE 41-06 is one of documents that introduced a simple method for assessment of certain buildings that do not require advanced analytical procedures. Furthermore the New Zealand guideline has presented a simple lateral mechanism analysis that is a hand static analysis for determining the probable collapse mechanism, lateral strength and displacement capacity of the structure. The present study is focused on verifying the results of the simplified methods which is used by NZSEE and ASCE 41-06 in assessment of existing buildings. For this, three different special steel moment and braced frames are assessed under these two guidelines and the accuracy of the results is checked with the results of nonlinear static and dynamic analysis. After comparison of obtained results, suggestions are presented to improve seismic retrofit criteria.