New guide helps engineers design safer skyscrapers

The PEER Center is pleased to announce the release of the “Guidelines for Performance-Based Seismic Design of Tall Buildings” that was developed by PEER’s Tall Buildings Initiative.

The Guidelines present a recommended alternative to the prescriptive procedures for seismic design of buildings contained in standards such as ASCE 7 and the International Building Code (IBC). They are intended primarily for use by structural engineers and building officials engaged in the seismic design and review of individual tall buildings.

Properly executed, the Guidelines are intended to result in buildings that are capable of achieving the seismic performance objectives for Occupancy Category II buildings intended by ASCE 7. Alternatively, individual users may adapt and modify these Guidelines to serve as the basis for designs intended to achieve higher seismic performance objectives.

The Guidelines were developed considering the seismic response characteristics of tall buildings, including relatively long fundamental vibration period, significant mass participation and lateral response in higher modes of vibration, and a relatively slender profile. Although the underlying principles are generally applicable, the Guidelines were developed considering seismic hazard typical in the Western United States.

The Working Group members that prepared the guidelines include:

• Yousef Bozorgnia (PEER, UC Berkeley)
• C.B. Crouse (URS Consultants)
• Ronald Hamburger (Simpson Gumpertz & Heger
• Ronald Klemencic (Magnusson Klemencic Associates)
• Helmut Krawinkler (Stanford University)
• James Malley (Degenkolb Engineers)
• Jack Moehle (PEER, UC Berkley)
• Farzad Naeim (John A. Martin & Associates)
• Jonathan Stewart (UC Los Angeles)

View and download the free electronic pdf version of the Guidelines (PEER Report No. 2010/05)

Request a Free Copy of the TBI Guidelines

As a part of the launch of the new Guidelines document, PEER is offering one free copy of the printed Guidelines to engineering offices located in the United States (while supplies last).  To receive your free copy, please submit a request via PEER’s online request form.

Online Request Form for TBI Guidelines

Note that only one copy will be sent to each engineering design office, so please coordinate within your firm or office so that only one request is sent.  Additionally, all of PEER’s Business and Industry Partners (BIP) have already been sent several copies of the Guidelines and do not need to request another copy.