By: EBLJ,RCE,RMP,ME1

 Building a structure to respond 100% elastically in a large-

magnitude earthquake would not be economical.
 Strength reductions due to non-linear behavior are influenced
by the maximum allowable displacement ductility demand, the
fundamental period of the system, and the soil-profile type.
Strength reductions from the elastic strength are accomplished
by using a response modification factor.
 The structure response modification factor, R, represents the
inherent over-strength and global ductility capacity of structural
components.
 Ductility can be defined as a measure of the ability of a
structural system to deform in the plastic range prior to failure.
 Ductile performance is important because seismic energy is
dissipated through yielding of the structural components, and
because it permits considerable displacements during intense
earthquakes without risk to the structure’s integrity and the
occupant’s life safety.
 The structure response modification factor is determined from
the type of structural system used in design of structures, as
defined for buildings in UBC-97 Table 16-N and for non-building
structures in UBC-97 Table 16-P.
 Systems with higher ductility (e.g., steel moment-resisting
frames) have higher R values associated with better seismic
performance expectations.
 The type of structural system and natural period of a structure
significantly influence the structure’s response to ground
shaking.
 Over-strength is defined as a characteristics of structures where
the actual strength is greater than the design strength. The
degree of over-strength depends on material type and structural
system type.
 A seismic force amplification factor, or over-strength factor (Ωo),
has been assigned to each identified structural system. This
factor accounts for over-strength of structure in the inelastic
range.