3. Seismic diagnosis approach

3.1 General framework and objectives

Seismic diagnostic studies are relatively unconventional. They require as realistic an assessment as possible of the structure's dynamic behavior during a reference earthquake, and its level of damage after the tremor.

• This type of approach, based on the actual strength capacities of the structure and materials (analyses in the plastic domain of material behavior, redistribution of forces after damage to certain parts of the structure, etc.), generally breaks down into several phases:

  • definition of reference performance levels for the structure ;

  • assessment of load-bearing capacities (structure and foundation) ;...