Comparing target spectral design acceleration values by using different acceptability criteria

A central issue in earthquake engineering design is the treatment of ground motion uncertainty and the non-linear structural response for defining the design acceleration. This paper first proposes a probabilistic design spectrum which includes as input, in addition to common design parameters, the probability that the design acceleration is exceeded. Furthermore, it presents several alternatives for defining the bounds of the ALARP region to define target reliability values. In order to define acceptable probabilities of exceedence several alternatives have been considered and compared. Finally, the importance and the impact of selecting target reliabilities is demonstrated for the case of low income housing developments in Colombia.