Preface

This handbook contains up-to-date information on planning, analysis, and design of earthquake-resistant building structures. Its intention is to provide engineers, architects, developers, and students of structural engineering and architecture with authoritative, yet practical, design information. It represents an attempt to bridge the persisting gap between advances in the theories and concepts of earthquake-resistant design and their implementation in seismic design practice.

The distinguished panel of contributors is composed of 22 experts from industry and universities, recognized for their knowledge and extensive practical experience in their fields. They have aimed to present clearly and concisely the basic principles and procedures pertinent to each subject and to illustrate with practical examples the application of these principles and procedures in seismic design practice. Where applicable, the provisions of various seismic design standards such as IBC-2000, UBC-97, FEMA-273/274 and ATC-40 are explained and their differences are highlighted.

Most of the chapters have been either totally re-written or substantially revised to reflect the recent advances in the field. In addition, a number of new chapters have been added to cover subjects such as performance based seismic engineering, seismic upgrading of existing structures, computer applications, and seismic design of wood structures.

A new and very useful feature of this edition is the inclusion of a companion CD-ROM disc containing the complete digital version of the handbook itself and the following very important publications:

1. UBC-IBC (1997-2000) Structural Comparisons and Cross References, ICBO, 2000.

2. NEHRP Guidelines for the Seismic Rehabilitation of Buildings, FEMA-273, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 1997.

3. NEHRP Commentary on the Guidelines for the Seismic Rehabilitation of Buildings, FEMA-274, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 1997.

4. NEHRP Recommended Provisions for Seismic Regulations for New Buildings and Older Structures, Part 1 – Provisions, FEMA-302, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 1997.

5. NEHRP Recommended Provisions for Seismic Regulations for New Buildings and Older Structures, Part 2 – Commentary, FEMA-303, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 1997.

One should realize that seismic design is still as much an art as it is a science. Therefore, no matter how helpful the material in this handbook might prove to be, it cannot replace or substitute sound engineering judgment. Furthermore, one must recognize that on some seismic design and detailing issues, a general consensus on the appropriate approaches does not yet exist. As an eminent engineer once said: "No two design offices completely agree on all aspects of seismic design or proper detailing." It is the editor's belief, however, that it is through the publication of books like this one, and continuation of research and development, that a general consensus of these issues will finally be reached. We have come a long way towards achieving these objectives during the last decade.

The primary purpose of this handbook is to serve practicing engineers and architects. However, its scope and its treatment of both theory and practice should also make it valuable to both teachers and students of earthquake-resistant design.

Much has been changed in seismic design practice since the first edition of this handbook was published in 1989. We have learned many lessons from world-wide damaging earthquakes during the last decade and these lessons, more or less, have been implemented in recent seismic design codes and guidelines. This is the primary reason why the volume of this edition of the handbook is roughly twice that of the first edition although its objectives have not changed.

The first edition of this handbook was received with a degree of enthusiasm that was totally above and beyond the editor’s expectations. The book became the de-facto standard textbook for teaching seismic design principles at practically all major universities of the United States. UC Berkeley, Stanford, UCLA, USC, University at Buffalo, University of Illinois, Washington University at Saint Louis, University of Texas at Austin, Georgia-Tech, Cornell, and University of Michigan are among the schools that have used the first edition in this country. Overseas, it has been used at the Imperial College of London, Israel Institute of Technology, and many other fine institutions.

The editor hopes that this second edition of the handbook will repeat the success of its predecessor and will be found as -if not more- useful to the readers. The editor welcomes any and all comments, criticisms and suggestions. Comments may be sent by e-mail to farzad@ johnmartin.com.

Farzad Naeim

October 2000

Los Angeles, California