The NEHRP Recommended Seismic Provisions for New Buildings and Other Structures (FEMA P-2082) presents the minimum recommended requirements necessary for the design and construction of new buildings and other structures to resist earthquake ground motions throughout the United States. The objectives of these provisions are to provide reasonable assurance of seismic performance that will:
- Avoid serious injury and life loss due to:
- Structure collapse
- Failure of nonstructural components or systems
- Release of hazardous materials
- Preserve means of egress
- Avoid loss of function in critical facilities, and
- Reduce structural and nonstructural repair costs where practicable.
These performance objectives do not all have the same likelihood of being achieved. Additional detail on the objectives is provided in section 1.1.1 through 1.1.6. The degree to which these objectives can be achieved depends on a number of factors including structural framing type, building configuration, structural and nonstructural materials and details, and overall quality of design and construction. In addition, large uncertainties as to the intensity and duration of shaking and the possibility of unfavorable response of a small subset of buildings or other structures may prevent full realization of these objectives.
