Seismic Performance and Analysis

Seismic performance research examines how structures respond to earthquake-induced ground shaking, using tools from structural dynamics and probabilistic analysis to estimate the likelihood and severity of damage across a range of possible events. Because ground motion is inherently variable and difficult to predict precisely, engineers rely on fragility functions and performance-based design frameworks to express risk in terms that inform both building codes and retrofit decisions for existing infrastructure. Active work focuses on improving empirical models that predict ground motion parameters from fault characteristics, reducing the uncertainties that propagate through probabilistic hazard assessments. A central open question is how well current dynamic analysis methods capture the behavior of older or irregular structures during rare, high-intensity earthquakes — the scenarios where accurate predictions matter most and historical data are scarcest.

Works

72,041

Total citations

937,861

Keywords

Seismic EngineeringGround MotionProbabilistic AnalysisStructural DynamicsEarthquake HazardPerformance-Based Design