Pushover-Based Analysis in Performance-Based Seismic Engineering – A View from Europe

Abstract

In this chapter, it is claimed that pushover-based methods, although subject to several limitations, often represent a rational practice-oriented tool for the estimation of the seismic response of structures. It is shown that the relations between quantities controlling the seismic response can be easily understood if a pushover-based analysis is presented graphically in the acceleration -displacement (AD) format. One of the pushover-based methods, i.e., the N2 method, which is implemented in Eurocode 8, as well as its extensions, is very briefly summarized. Additionally, some recent pushover-based applications are listed. Finally, as an example of the application of pushover analysis, the seismic performance assessment of a multistorey building with consideration of aleatory and epistemic uncertainties is presented.