A displacement-based seismic design for reinforced concrete structures

The Displacement-Based Design method is presented for linear and non linear systems with some numerical applications on one storey and multistory buildings using the spectra and formulae provided by the Algerian seismic code. Fundamentals and design procedure of this method are given with implications and inherent problems. A brief review of the classic (force-based) method is also given. Comparison between the two methods is made and the limits and advantages of each one are discussed. Furthermore, the importance of target displacement and ductility level are outlined and more investigation is recommended to determine an accurate relation between damping and ductility. The results of the analysis show that the Displacement-Based method is simple and efficient with enough accuracy and confirm the idea, developed by many authors, that this method may be, in future, a good alternative to the Force-Based one providing that some problems can be resolved by further work such as the elaboration of appropriate design spectra.