Application of Experienced-based Methodologies in Seismic Qualification of Structures, Systems & Components

Abstract

Consistent with the international practice, the CSA N289 series of seismic design standards have incorporated application of experienced-based methodologies in seismic qualification of structure, system and components (SSCs) as an efficient, acceptable approach. Experience- based seismic qualification is primarily relying on using evidence and conclusions made from experience or previous qualification activities. Past evidence and previous conclusions may include (a) actual earthquake experience, (b) shake table test results or, (c) pre-performed analyses demonstrating the capability of SSCs to withstand seismic loads.

In the last few years, collective industry experience databases have been documented and evidence of ruggedness of various components and equipment has been established. More importantly, systematic approaches that are widely accepted by industry experts have been applied for the seismic qualification and safety evaluation of components and equipment. For example, the experience database is evaluated to establish a rated seismic capacity of an entire class of equipment. The evaluation process requires conformance with the set of inclusion rules and conditions that must be satisfied to apply the experience-based method for equipment seismic qualification.

This paper reviews the development of seismic experience-based methodologies and discusses the similarity and differences in similar other seismic qualification approaches. The paper illustrates the application of experienced-based methodologies for seismic qualification of some example SSCs. It should be noted that any conclusion made in this paper are limited by being subjected to regulators’ acceptance.