Modern methods for seismic analysis of building structures

Structural behavior during strong earthquakes is very difficult certainly to anticipate due to stochastic nature of an earthquake, deficient recognized site parameters and random structural properties. The paper presents a review of structural analysis methods and design of building structures for earthquake resistance. For analysis of structures subjected to earthquake action it is necessary to adopt the proper dynamic model and to define excitation depending on representation of the seismic action. The seismic analysis consists of modal analysis, determination of seismic forces based on structural characteristics and applied earthquake motions, and numerical evaluation of dynamic response.