ASSESSMEN• T OF IMPORTANT SEISMIC PROVISIONS OF EBCS 8 - 1995 FROM STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS PERSPECTIVE
Keywords:
single-degree-of-freedom-system (SDOF), multi-degree-of-freedom-System (MDOF), generalized-single-degree-of-freedom-system (GSDOF), response spectrum, design spectrum, time-history analysis (THA), response-spectrum analysis (RSA), tripartite plot, Rayleigh quotient, story drift.Abstract
In this paper, a/'J.attempt is made to assess some of
the·important seismic provisions and speciflcation,s
of the 1995 Ethiopian Building Code Standard
(EBCS 8) from, the perspective of the theory of
structural dynamics and principles of earthquake
engineering. For this purpose, a concise but
thorough theoretical background isprovided on the
vibratiQn oj structural systems. Only horizontal
.earthquake excitation of the systems is treated, as
this causes the most important effects on building
structures. lvfany.concepts that are unknown to the
werage structural designer, but specified by the
Code ,for strict adherence, are clarified and
critically assessed.' The design spectra of the Code
are compared with early research results that
serv~d as the basis jor the prepal'ation of design
spectra of many international codes. Existing
discrepancies are shown and illustrated using an
example problem. Important conclusions are
drawn and some recommendations made.
Comparison of the provisions of the Code with
those of other international codes is not the
intention of the paper. This is postponed to afuture
work.