Assessment of a probabilistic method for evaluating residual response parameters of EP structural systems

Probabilistically controlled design values of the residual response parameters of elasto-plastic structural systems are calculated using a method previously proposed by the authors. Current codes provide for design values of the seismic response of a structure with a nonlinear behaviour computed as the mean value or as the maximum value of the responses to a certain number of accelerograms. The so calculated design values are characterized by a non-exceedance probability that can not be predefined and that depends on the number of accelerograms used in the analysis. The proposed method allows to calculate design values of the residual response parameters characterized by a redefined non-exceedance probability using a limited number of generated accelerograms. The obtained design values can be effectively used in performance based seismic design. The analyses are performed with reference to EPP and ESH SDOF systems representative of nonlinear structural systems.