DEVELOPMENT OF CONSISTENT INELASTIC RESPONSE SPECTRA FOR DISPLACEMENT-BASED SEISMIC EVALUATION

Ümit Kaçmaz

(Thesis Supervisor: M. Nuray Aydınoğlu)

ABSTRACT

Motivated by developing consistent spectra for displacement based design for structures that may be subjected to far-field seismic motions, extensive statistical analyses have been performed for various strength reduction factors that may be common for most structures. Strength-based displacement amplification spectra have been obtained for NEHRP site classes that are derived from 146 recorded motions of 9 earthquakes in California, USA. Consequently a generic amplification spectrum has been obtained covering all site classes that may be used for practical purposes where data about the site is unavailable. The proposed formulae have been shown to result in slightly higher displacement amplifications with respect to those obtained from coefficient CI of FEMA-356 as a consequence of constant strength reduction factor concept. Analyses results suggest that strength-based amplification factor based on the constant strength reduction factor concept may be used as an efficient alternative tool to coefficient C1 in FEMA-356 that reduces the computational efforts as well.