ASCE’s Standard 41 updates guidance on building retrofit in earthquake zones

Reston, Va. — Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit of Existing Buildings, Standard ASCE/SEI 41-17, describes deficiency-based and systematic procedures that use performance-based principles to evaluate and retrofit existing buildings to withstand the effects of earthquakes. This new edition, which updates and replaces previous editions of ASCE 41, introduces revisions to the basic performance objectives for existing buildings and to the evaluation of force-controlled actions.

A three-tiered process is presented for seismic evaluation according to a range of building performance levels. The deficiency-based procedures allow evaluation and retrofit efforts to focus on specific potential deficiencies deemed to be of concern for a specified set of building types and heights. The systematic procedure, applicable to any building, sets forth a methodology to evaluate the entire building in a rigorous manner.

Analysis procedures and acceptance criteria are established, and requirements specified for foundations and geologic site hazards; building components; and seismic isolation and energy dissipation systems. This standard is a primary reference for structural engineers addressing the seismic resilience of existing buildings, and for building code officials reviewing such work; it also will be of interest to architects, construction managers, academic researchers, and building owners.

Purchase Standard ASCE/SEI 41-17 at www.asce.org/templates/publications-book-detail.aspx?id=25879.