Projects : Task Order 19

SUMMARY

Comparison of Present Chilean and U.S. Model Building Code Seismic Provisions and Seismic Design Practices

The primary objective of this task is to analyze and compare present (post-1990) seismic design provisions in Chilean building codes with applicable U.S. model building code and standard provisions for new buildings, principally ASCE 7 and ACI 318.  This work will detail where the Chilean and U.S. code provisions are alike and where they are different, including differences in design response spectra in Chilean seismic zones and ASCE 7.  Work will also document similarities and differences in seismic analysis and design practice for new buildings as performed in the United States and Chile.

Present understanding is that Chilean practice for evaluation and rehabilitation of existing buildings is very limited.  As such, the proposed work will be limited to identifying and documenting current Chilean practice with regard to new buildings.

Results will be documented in a report, which will be publicly available to support research on needed improvements in U.S. model building codes, guidelines, tools, and practices.

The Task Order 19 project will be conducted over a 9-month period, concluding on June 26, 2011.  (The composition of the team in some respects has not been finalized).

Project Director: Ron Hamburger, Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, San Francisco, California

Project Technical Committee: