Performance-based Engineering

Goals

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The goal of performance-based earthquake engineering (PBEE) is to allow the designer to design for performance as the deciding variable. Higher performance levels may be designed for to reduce the seismic risk, and the owner is able to choose which level of performance represents an acceptable level of seismic risk. Whether the costs associated with reducing the risk is worthwhile or not depends on the structure. For example, some hospitals and first responder facilities are required to be operational immediately after a major disaster. PBEE allows the owner to take this into account and tailor designs to an acceptable level of risk.