ABSTRACT
Structural design of buildings for seismic loading is primarily concerned with structural safety during major earthquakes, but serviceability and the potential for economic loss are also of concern. Seismic loading requires an understanding of the structural behavior under large inelastic, cyclic deformations. Behavior under this loading is fundamentally different from wind or gravity loading, requiring much more detailed analysis, and application of a number of stringent detailing requirements to assure acceptable seismic performance beyond the elastic range. Some structural damage can be expected when the building experiences design ground motions because almost all building codes allow inelastic energy dissipation in structural systems.
