SEISMIC RESPONSE OF INSTRUMENTED STRUCTURES DURING THE 1994 NORTHRIDGE, CALIFORNIA, EARTHQUAKE

This paper presents an overview of strong motion records obtained from instrumented structures during the 1994 Northridge earthquake. It des cribes the behaviour of buildings, bridges, and dams that have been in strumented by the major strong motion instrumentation networks operati ng in California and highlights important features of the most signifi cant structural motions recorded during the earthquake. The structural damage observed during a reconnaissance visit to the affected areas b y the earthquake is correlated with preliminary analyses of the record ed motions. Detailed discussions of the dynamic behaviour of two instr umented reinforced concrete buildings that suffered damage during the earthquake are presented. The behaviour of these buildings during prev ious earthquakes is also examined. This paper and the companion paper on ground motions provide comprehensive information about instrumental records obtained in the region affected by the earthquake.