Publisher's Synopsis
Conventional seismic design has been based on structural strength in the initial design of structures, resulting in lateral force resisting systems with sufficient strength to be able to absorb and dissipate the seismic. For important structures such as urban high speed road systems, high-rise buildings, hospitals, airports and other essential structures which must be quite functional after an earthquake, modern seismic structural design techniques have been developed with a view toward eliminating or significantly reducing seismic damage to such structures. This is a comprehensive treatment of the issues involved in modern seismic design techniques for structure with a view to significantly enhancing their capability of surviving earthquakes to an adequate degree - in other words, enhancing the ability of structural systems to withstand high-level earthquakes.
