n the Question of the Correct Assignment of the Seismic Input Information

Abstract

Two concepts for setting initial seismic information for earthquake engineering are presented and compared. The advantages and disadvantages of each concept are given. It is argued that, when using the concept of dynamic coefficients, the initial seismic information is set incorrectly.

The main provisions of the concept of dynamic coefficients were developed sixty years ago by L.I. Korchinsky, when scarce information on earthquakes was represented by acceleration diagrams recorded on paper tapes or photographic films.

Note that after deducing graphs of dynamic coefficient, L.I. Korchinsky writes: "Thus, the obtained graph в, despite several doubtful assumptions made during its construction, quite characterizes the dynamic effect of earthquakes on a structure" [3]. At the same time, I.L. Korchinsky preliminary analyzes the works of M.A. Bio and G.V. Hausner [5-7], in which the experimental construction of the response spectra is described. And even the spectrum according to the project of the California norms, which is not quite correctly called the Standard Acceleration Spectrum, is given.

It is now possible to obtain complete information about an earthquake that occurred two hours ago. The methods for processing the information and the methods for calculating seismic effects have changed just as dramatically.

Response spectra (responses) are one of the most important, useful, and widely used concepts in the theory and practice of earthquake calculations of structures. Introduced almost a hundred years ago, nowadays this concept is used in all foreign normative documents and manuals on the calculation of structures for seismic resistance. It is known that the number of countries that use this concept in their regulatory documents is more than fifty. It should be noted that this concept is also used in the documents of the countries of the former USSR republics.

It is explained why the concept of response spectra used in the theory and practice of earthquake resistance calculations of structures is the basic one in all foreign normative documents and guides on earthquake resistance calculations of structures.

The history of the emergence of response spectra and the theory of constructing computational response spectra are presented. The advantages and benefits of the concept of response spectra compared to the concept of dynamic coefficients in setting seismic information are proved.

It is proposed to abandon the concept of dynamic coefficients in the norms of the Russian Federation, replacing it with the concept of response spectra.