The project aims to study and evaluate the performance of a set of novel performance-based seismic design and assessment procedures to 3D irregular structures. It will also focus on the development of next-generation related procedures and guidelines.

This project builds upon the previous FCT research project POCI/ECM/59306/2004 which ended up with the organization of an International Workshop on Nonlinear Static Methods for Design/Assessment of 3D structures. One of the main objectives of proposal is to improve the results obtained and to develop the recommendations proposed in the abovementioned Workshop taking a further step on the 3D Pushover problem.

The Nonlinear Static Procedures (NSP) are a powerful tool for performance evaluation. Seismic design codes, like the FEMA-273, FEMA-356, FEMA-440 and the ATC-40, have recommended the use of this type of procedures. More recently, the Eurocode8 also incorporated the procedure as an evaluation technique. However, some issues still need to be clarified regarding the format with which the pushover analysis has to be performed, thus requiring further research and development.

The existence of a national research group to work in this topic, closely following and influencing the latest and most relevant improvements in the subject, seems of obvious importance. Adequate international cooperation has been ensured, for Anil Chopra (University of California, Berkeley), Rakesh Goel (California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo), Peter Fajfar (University of Ljubljana, Slovenia) and Rui Pinho (University of Pavia, Italy) have been invited and accepted to become consultants for this research project.

 

Latest News

09/09/2011 - Research Grant's

01/02/2012 - Training Course

Projeto da Unidade de Investigação UIDB/ECI/04625/2020.