Seismic reliability of light frame residential construction

The vulnerability of wood residential construction to earthquake effects was evident from its performance during the 1994 Northridge earthquake. This paper presents a methodology for seismic reliability assessment of light frame residential construction subjected to various levels of earthquake ground motions. A finite element-based platform and stochastic models are used to simulate the behavior of wood frame structures in which shear walls provide the lateral force-resisting systems. Uncertainties in ground motion are identified and incorporated in the probabilistic analysis of system behavior, leading to fragilities (conditional failure probabilities) of the shear walls for various performance limits as a function of spectral acceleration. Seismic hazard curves that have been determined by U.S. Geological Survey are used to define the probabilities of a spectrum of earthquake hazards. Probabilities of failing to meet stipulated performance goals can be calculated by convolving the structural fragility with these seismic hazard curves. This methodology can serve as a tool for quantitative seismic reliability assessment for residential buildings, and a basis for loss estimation and for improvements to current residential construction practices.© ASCE 2006