NEHRP Clearinghouse

Title
Optimum Seismic Protection for New Building Construction in Eastern Metropolitan Area. Evaluation of Expected Losses and Total Present Cost: Preliminary Sensitivity Analysis, Internal Study Report Number 10.
File
PB80135569.pdf
Author(s)
Vanmarcke, E. H.; Reed, J. W.; Roth, D. A.
Source
National Science Foundation, Washington, DC. Engineering and Applied Science., July 1972, 40 p.
Abstract
A computer program to evaluate expected future losses due to earthquakes and to determine the best strategy for earthquake protection of buildings based on a minimum expected cost criterion is presented. The program can be used for analyzing the seismic performance of a particular building or of a mix of buildings of different types. The input information required is identified, and the principal computations carried out by the program are summarized. Details of the input data format are presented and a typical program printout is shown. The results of a preliminary sensitivity analysis, in which the effects of the following input parameters were investigated, are examined: the earthquake occurrence probabilities; the damage state cost ratios; the initial cost penalties; and the discount rate. The sensitivity with respect to the choice of damage probabilities, can be assessed indirectly by comparing the expected future losses associated with the various design strategies. The damage probabilities for modern tall buildings for the five design strategies considered are given. The damage state categories are listed in terms of the direct cost of repairs and in terms of associated non-physical costs.
Keywords
Cost analysis; Seismic design; Earthquake resistant structures; Probability theory; Sensitivity analysis; Damage; Design standards; Earthquake engineering; Buildings; Computer programs; Construction costs