SBIR-STTR Award

Research to develop an analysis methodology for probabilistic seismic evaluation of structural and non-structural damage costs, building use interruption costs, and life-safety hazard is herein proposed. The methodology which would be fully developed and computer implemented in the Phase II effort, would be simple to use, would not require detailed knowledge of probabilistic methods, yet would make use of state-of-the-art methods. The research here will build on earlier NSF-supported work in the area of analytical probabilistic safety analysis of buildings under earthquake loadings. The technical approach will consist of site hazard evaluation, random vibration analysis considering material husteretic behavior, and economic loss and life-safety hazard evaluation. The random vibration analysis methods developed in earlier works, have not found their way into the hands of practicing engineers. Current probabilistic methods in use are comparatively simplistic and approximate and tend to result in overly conservative decision-making not in the interest of economy. The intent here, as stated above, is to concen- trate on the research and development necessary to make the powerful tools, employed only at universities to date, practical to implement. This will require both mathematical innovation and development of simplified user interfaces (input and output).The potential commercial application as described by the awardee: The method would be used by building owners and insurance companies for probable economic loss and safety evaluations.