The Future of Seismic Codes

A paradigm shift in seismic code provisions for design against earthquake hazards is a much needed and exciting engineering frontier. Current seismic codes primarily target life-safety performance objectives, but future design standards will aim to move beyond life safety, targeting improved post-earthquake performance to support reoccupancy and recovery of functions within a reasonable time. This new performance state, which moves beyond life safety, is called “functional recovery.” Initial efforts in functional recovery frameworks have focused primarily on buildings and structural engineering considerations. To be effective in implementing functional recovery goals, however, significant efforts to address geotechnical engineering aspects will also be required for buildings, lifelines, geostructures, and critical infrastructure.