What is DBE and MCE in seismic design?

1 Answer

Prakash Jha, Scientist

Answered May 22 2016 · Author has 421 answers and 413.4k answer views

DBE and MCE are seismic design parameters for building code design. They are derived based
on statistical analysis of past seismicity data.

MCE or Maximum Considered Earthquake defines the peak horizontal accelerations with 2%
probability of exceedance in 50 years. DBE or Design Basis earthquake (DBE) defines the peak
horizontal accelerations with 10% probability of exceedance in 50 years. Determining MCE &
DBE is part of the routine probabilistic seismic hazard analysis of the site.

For strategic installations, a site specific response spectrum is developed for soft soil sites after
taking into account the soil-building interaction. The site specific MCE spectrum is developed by
following the strict provedure. Once MCE is obtained, the DBE is taken as 2/3 times the MCE.

Often due to incompleteness of the historical catalogue of earthquakes and poor knowledge of
ground motion of past earthquakes, it is not possible to determine MCE in a straightforward
manner. Several customized approaches are used in such cases for seismic hazard estimation.