Energy-based seismic design methodology: a preliminary approach

By using energy-based methods to design earthquake-resistant structures, the effect of seismic action in terms both of force and displacement demands is taken into account, as well as the cumulative effect of damage produced by cyclic loading. Energy-based methods are effective tools for seismic design, especially when control techniques such as base isolation or energy dissipation systems are used to protect the structure. Although they were established in the 1950’s, design methods based on the energy balance equation require further investigation and development for use in the framework of a Performance Based Earthquake Engineering (PBEE) design approach. In particular, research efforts should address the characterization of uncertainties of the energy-based parameters involved in the design process. This paper proposes an energy-based general methodology to design seismic-resistant structures according to a PBEE approach. Ground motion prediction equations and optimal intensity measures to be applied within the proposed methodology are discussed, as well as ongoing research on key parameters used in energy-based methods such as the equivalent number of cycles and the shear strength coefficient.