Better Buildings with Performance-Based Seismic Design

Performance-Based Seismic Design (PBSD) represents a revolution in the design of buildings for earthquakes.  Structural engineers conduct advanced earthquake simulations of the structural system, creating a deep understanding of the building’s behavior.  This opens the door for innovation, creativity, and optimization of the structural design in ways that a conventional prescriptive design does not allow.  Since 1996, MKA has employed PBSD on more than 140 projects, sponsored advanced PBSD research, and authored industrywide PBSD guidelines.

What are the Benefits of PBSD?

Because PBSD utilizes rigorous earthquake analyses beyond the requirements of the Building Code, engineers can innovate and take more creative approaches to building design.  For example:

• The Building Code requires a costly and spatially disruptive “backup” moment frame for tall buildings in high seismic zones.  Using PBSD, we can design the building without the prescriptive backup moment frame, significantly reducing construction costs and schedule.
  
  
• A list of preapproved structural materials and systems is documented in the Building Code, making it challenging to bring new ideas and systems into the industry.  Using PBSD, MKA introduced new construction techniques, such as SpeedCore, into the market.
  
  
• PBSD provides a detailed and comprehensive understanding of building earthquake performance.  This can be used to make informed decisions during the design phase to minimize future earthquake damage and building downtime after an earthquake.
  

Performance-Based Seismic Design (PBSD) represents a revolution in the design of buildings for earthquakes.  Structural engineers conduct advanced earthquake simulations of the structural system, creating a deep understanding of the building’s behavior.  This opens the door for innovation, creativity, and optimization of the structural design in ways that a conventional prescriptive design does not allow.  Since 1996, MKA has employed PBSD on more than 140 projects, sponsored advanced PBSD research, and authored industrywide PBSD guidelines.

What’s New in Performance-Based Design?

We are continuously innovating and pushing the boundaries of design.  New developments include Performance-Based Wind Design and using PBSD to improve building resiliency.

Want to Learn More?

Contact Kevin Aswegan PE, SE to learn more about Performance-Based Design and how it may help your project reduce costs and improve performance.

Image Credit: Salesforce Tower – Moris Moreno