Evaluation of UBC-94 Provisions for Seismic Design of RC Structural Walls

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Abstract
New provisions for seismic design of reinforced concrete structural walls were incorporated into the 1994 version of the Uniform Building Code. The new provisions are based on the use of a displacement-based design methodology, which is a significant departure from prior codes. The format of the UBC-94 provisions offer significant advantages over previous design formats, with both simplified and detailed design approaches. As is the case with any significant code change, proper application of the new provisions requires a thorough understanding of the design methodology used to develop the provisions as well as its limitations. Given these needs, an overview of displacement-based and the UBC-1994 requirements is provided. The methods employed in UBC-94 to estimate the maximum displacement response are found to significantly underestimate maximum displacement; therefore, direct application of the provisions could lead to unconservative designs. Recommendations to address this shortcoming, as well as potential to improve the provisions in other areas are presented.

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