This paper describes building damage functions that were developed for the FEMA/NIBS earthquake loss estimation methodology (Whitman et al., 1997). These functions estimate the probability of discrete states of structural and nonstructural building damage that are used as inputs to the estimation of building losses, including economic loss, casualties and loss of function (Kircher et al., 1997). These functions are of a new form and represent a significant step forward in the prediction of earthquake impacts. Unlike previous building damage models that are based on Modified Mercalli Intensity, the new functions use quantitative measures of ground shaking (and ground failure) and analyze model building types in a similar manner to the engineering analysis of a single structure.
This article focuses on an engineering evaluation of the ground motions recorded during the Loma Prieta earthquake. Regression analysis is employed to evaluate the attenuation characteristics of the elastic and inelastic strength demands imposed by rock and alluvium ground motions on bilinear single degree of freedom (SDOF) systems. Several records are used to illustrate the large seismic demands generated by soft soil ground motions. Strength capacities of modern code-designed structures are compared to the strength demands in order to assess the damage potential of the Loma Prieta ground motions. The Cypress structure is used as an example to illustrate the application of simple demand / capacity concepts for an evaluation of structural performance.
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