Building Science Resource Library

The Building Science Resource Library contains all of FEMA’s hazard-specific guidance that focuses on creating hazard-resistant communities.

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FEMA P-58, Seismic Performance Assessment of Buildings - Volume 2 - Implementation

The principal product under this combined 10-year work effort was the development of a methodology for seismic performance assessment of individual buildings that properly accounts for uncertainty in our ability to accurately predict response, and communicates performance in ways that better relate to the decision-making needs of stakeholders. This project completed the development of a methodology for seismic performance assessment of individual buildings in December 2018. The final products together describe the resulting methodology, as well as the development of basic building information, response quantities, fragilities, and consequence data used as inputs to the methodology. To allow practical implementation of the methodology, work included the collection of fragility and consequence data for most common structural systems and building occupancies, and the development of an electronic Performance Assessment Calculation Tool (PACT) for performing the probabilistic computations and accumulation of losses. This file is Volume 2.

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FEMA P-58, Seismic Performance Assessment of Buildings - Volume 3, Part I - Supporting Electronic Materials and Background Documentation

The principal product under this combined 10-year work effort was the development of a methodology for seismic performance assessment of individual buildings that properly accounts for uncertainty in our ability to accurately predict response, and communicates performance in ways that better relate to the decision-making needs of stakeholders. This project completed the development of a methodology for seismic performance assessment of individual buildings in December 2018. The final products together describe the resulting methodology, as well as the development of basic building information, response quantities, fragilities, and consequence data used as inputs to the methodology. To allow practical implementation of the methodology, work included the collection of fragility and consequence data for most common structural systems and building occupancies, and the development of an electronic Performance Assessment Calculation Tool (PACT) for performing the probabilistic computations and accumulation of losses. This is Volume 3 Part 1.

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FEMA P-58, Seismic Performance Assessment of Buildings - Volume 6 - Guidelines for Design

The principal product under this combined 10-year work effort was the development of a methodology for seismic performance assessment of individual buildings that properly accounts for uncertainty in our ability to accurately predict response, and communicates performance in ways that better relate to the decision-making needs of stakeholders. This project completed the development of a methodology for seismic performance assessment of individual buildings in December 2018. The final products together describe the resulting methodology, as well as the development of basic building information, response quantities, fragilities, and consequence data used as inputs to the methodology. To allow practical implementation of the methodology, work included the collection of fragility and consequence data for most common structural systems and building occupancies, and the development of an electronic Performance Assessment Calculation Tool (PACT) for performing the probabilistic computations and accumulation of losses. This is Volume 6.

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FEMA P-58, Seismic Performance Assessment of Buildings - Volume 4 - Environmental Impacts

The principal product under this combined 10-year work effort was the development of a methodology for seismic performance assessment of individual buildings that properly accounts for uncertainty in our ability to accurately predict response, and communicates performance in ways that better relate to the decision-making needs of stakeholders. This project completed the development of a methodology for seismic performance assessment of individual buildings in December 2018. The final products together describe the resulting methodology, as well as the development of basic building information, response quantities, fragilities, and consequence data used as inputs to the methodology. To allow practical implementation of the methodology, work included the collection of fragility and consequence data for most common structural systems and building occupancies, and the development of an electronic Performance Assessment Calculation Tool (PACT) for performing the probabilistic computations and accumulation of losses. This is Volume 4.

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FEMA P-58, Seismic Performance Assessment of Buildings - Volume 3, Part II – Supporting Electronic Materials and Background Documentation

The principal product under this combined 10-year work effort was the development of a methodology for seismic performance assessment of individual buildings that properly accounts for uncertainty in our ability to accurately predict response, and communicates performance in ways that better relate to the decision-making needs of stakeholders. This project completed the development of a methodology for seismic performance assessment of individual buildings in December 2018. The final products together describe the resulting methodology, as well as the development of basic building information, response quantities, fragilities, and consequence data used as inputs to the methodology. To allow practical implementation of the methodology, work included the collection of fragility and consequence data for most common structural systems and building occupancies, and the development of an electronic Performance Assessment Calculation Tool (PACT) for performing the probabilistic computations and accumulation of losses. This is Volume 3 Part II.

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FEMA P-58, Seismic Performance Assessment of Buildings - Volume 1 – Methodology

The principal product under this combined 10-year work effort was the development of a methodology for seismic performance assessment of individual buildings that properly accounts for uncertainty in our ability to accurately predict response, and communicates performance in ways that better relate to the decision-making needs of stakeholders. This project completed the development of a methodology for seismic performance assessment of individual buildings in December 2018. The final products together describe the resulting methodology, as well as the development of basic building information, response quantities, fragilities, and consequence data used as inputs to the methodology. To allow practical implementation of the methodology, work included the collection of fragility and consequence data for most common structural systems and building occupancies, and the development of an electronic Performance Assessment Calculation Tool (PACT) for performing the probabilistic computations and accumulation of losses.

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FEMA P-1100, Vulnerability-Based Seismic Assessment and Retrofit of One- and Two- Family Dwellings

improved seismic design and seismic retrofitting of vulnerable configurations will increase the probability that homes are available to provide shelter immediately following moderate to large seismic events. The purpose of this prestandard is to provide a methodology to identify and retrofit specific known vulnerabilities in wood light-frame dwellings. Development of the assessment and retrofit provisions has included using the best available seismic numerical modeling tools and engineering practices to assist in developing assessment methods and identifying retrofit criteria to best achieve targeted performance objectives. The use of the provisions is anticipated to improve earthquake performance but is not intended to prevent earthquake damage.

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FEMA P-2018, Seismic Evaluation of Older Concrete Buildings for Collapse Potential

This report, Seismic Evaluation of Older Concrete Buildings for Collapse Potential (FEMA P-2018), provides a simplified methodology for evaluating collapse resistance using simplified estimates of drift demand. The calculations have been intentionally simplified; however, the underlying criteria are based on probabilistic concepts and structural reliability theory. Development of the procedures included testing of the methodology by practicing engineers in several rounds of trial evaluations, and vetting of the methodology in a series of annual workshops. All of this was used to adjust and improve the methodology throughout the development process.

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FEMA P-2012, Assessing Seismic Performance of Buildings with Configuration Irregularities

This guidance evaluates current building code triggers, the influence of structural irregularities on seismic building performance (in terms of collapse probability), and the effectiveness of relevant code provisions. The objective of the studies conducted under this project was to inform and improve U.S. codes and standards so that structures with configuration irregularities have a level of safety against collapse in an earthquake that is comparable to that for regular structures. The publication focuses primarily on design requirements for new buildings, with limited consideration of the treatment of irregularities for existing buildings.

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FEMA P-2006, Example Application Guide for ASCE/SEI 41-13 Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit of Existing Buildings; with Additional Commentary for ASCE/SEI 41-17 (June 2018)

This Example Application Guide provides helpful guidance on the interpretation and the use of ASCE/SEI 41‑13 through a set of examples that address key selected topics. The Guide covers topics that commonly occur where guidance is believed to be beneficial, with topics effectively organized and presented such that information is easy to find. Commentary accompanies the examples to provide context, rationale, and advice, including discussion of revisions to the standard made in ASCE/SEI 41-17.

The intended audience for this Guide is both practicing engineers and building officials who have limited or no experience with ASCE/SEI 41 and those engineers and building officials who have used these documents in the past, but have specific questions. It is assumed that the user has seismic design experience and a working knowledge of seismic design concepts.