AdvancedTopic 111 of 112Civil & Structural
Performance-based earthquake engineering
Designs structures to meet stated damage levels at given hazard levels.
In depth
PBEE designs structures to meet defined performance objectives (immediate occupancy, life safety, collapse prevention) at specific hazard levels, using nonlinear analysis, fragility curves and loss estimation. It links hazard, structural response, damage and decision variables (repair cost, downtime, casualties).
Key points
- Pushover and time-history analyses
- FEMA P-58
- Resilient design
ExampleA hospital is designed to remain operational after a design earthquake.
What is Performance-based earthquake engineering?
Designs structures to meet stated damage levels at given hazard levels.
Why is it important to understand performance-based earthquake engineering?
Performance-based design sets damage goals for given earthquake levels, which lets owners and engineers choose the level of protection for each building.
What is a performance objective?
A stated level of damage or downtime that the structure must meet for a given earthquake hazard, such as life safety or immediate occupancy.
How is performance assessed?
By nonlinear analysis, testing and detailed evaluation of the structure's capacity and damage under the chosen earthquake.
How is Performance-based earthquake engineering used in practice?
Typical applications include setting a target that a hospital remains operational after a rare earthquake, assessing an existing building against a performance objective before retrofit and choosing between a conventional design and an advanced damping system for a critical facility.
What should I learn before Performance-based earthquake engineering?
Study "Resilience and climate adaptation" first (topic 110 of 112 in Civil & Structural). It covers the groundwork this topic builds on.
What are the key points of Performance-based earthquake engineering?
Pushover and time-history analyses. FEMA P-58. Resilient design.
Can you give an example of Performance-based earthquake engineering?
A hospital is designed to remain operational after a design earthquake.
What comes after Performance-based earthquake engineering?
The next topic is "Digital twins for infrastructure", which builds directly on this one.
How difficult is Performance-based earthquake engineering?
It is classed as Advanced in Civil & Structural (topic 111 of 112). It is an advanced topic. It assumes you are comfortable with the intermediate topics in Civil & Structural.