scope:

This standard for the Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit of Existing Buildings, referred to herein as "this standard," specifies nationally applicable provisions for the seismic evaluation and retrofit of buildings. Seismic evaluation is defined as an approved process or methodology of evaluating deficiencies in a building that prevent the building from achieving a selected Performance Objective. Seismic retrofit is defined in this standard as the design of measures to improve the seismic performance of structural or nonstructural components of a building by correcting deficiencies identified in a seismic evaluation relative to a selected Performance Objective.

Seismic evaluation and retrofit of existing buildings shall comply with requirements of this standard for conducting the seismic evaluation or retrofit to demonstrate compliance with, or achievement of the selected Performance Objective. This standard does not preclude a building from being evaluated or retrofitted by other procedures based on rational methods of analysis in accordance with principles of mechanics and approval by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.

Definitions and notations used throughout this standard are contained in Section 1.2. References used throughout this standard are cited separately in Chapter 18. Where standards are referenced and no edition or date is appended, then the edition or dated document listed in Chapter 18 is to be used.

This standard provides three tiered procedures for seismic evaluation and two tiered procedures for seismic retrofit of existing buildings appropriate for use in areas of any Level of Seismicity. The evaluation and retrofit process basis for the standard is defined in Section 1.3. The processes for using this standard for seismic evaluation and retrofit and the associated procedures are defined in Sections 1.4 and 1.5, respectively.