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Seismic load reduction factors for reinforced concrete chimneys:  a probabilistic assessment

Wilson J. L.

CICIND REPORT Vol. 17, No. 2, 2001

Order No: CR-216


This paper presents a probabilistic approach to compare the performance of a chimney designed using existing and proposed code provisions to an extreme earthquake event.  The seismic hazard is represented by a Weibull distribution relating a peak effective ground acceleration to a return period, from which a probability density function for seismic loading can be developed, whilst the structural resistance is expressed by a Normal or Gaussian distribution. Numerical integration techniques are used to compare the probability of failure values calculated for the different designs.