ABSTRACT
The impact of the 1995 Hyogoken-Nanbu Earthquake is reviewed by focusing on the low probability of occurrence and site effects. Probabilistic seismic hazard is discussed paying attention to the upper bound P.G.A. and active fault information. Once the variability is evaluated for the earthquake load and resistance, a closed form solution for the optimum reliability is obtained and can be applied to the earthquake resistant design with initial cost studies and damage cost considerations. Numerical examples show that including considerations of property loss, for which there is more public demand after an earthquake, increases the optimum degree of safety considerably.
