The application of seismic parameters conversion among different structure design codes

Abstract

The main goal for structure engineer is to do safety design and make sure structures can resist seismic forces by adopting proper construction materials and structure systems. The seismic design parameters are the key factors to control the structure seismic design procedures and results. These parameters covered several items, such as seismic spectral response acceleration in 1 second (S1) and short period (SS), site classification(A~E), sites importance (Ie,), strong motion files with their pseudo-acceleration and displacement, etc. Around these parameters, different countries and regions also issued the domestic design principles correspondence. For international projects, no matter which area or country projects located in, every structure engineer should take more care about the proper seismic parameters to deploy seismic design, and the issues of seismic parameter conversion among various codes appeared a few decades ago. In this article, author focused on multiple stories hotel (RC) structure design with GB and ASCE seismic parameters controlling, demonstrate the difference of structure design principles between GB and ASCE, and applied specified seismic parameters conversion method, then deploy structure analysis based on these parameters, got series structure analysis results. In the end, author provided a few practical advice about developing strategies and decisions from consultant view. These conclusions not only can benefit developers, also strengthen the support from consultant agency, besides, the parameter screen procedures enhanced the structure designer’s driving ability on various structures which locate in different regions and countries.