INTERSTORY DRIFT DESIGN AND DAMAGE CONTROL ISSUES

This paper addresses post-earthquake functionality of buildings by foc using on one of the key aspects of damage control design-interstory dr ift. It is generally recognized that interstory drift can be used as a measure of expected damage. In order to control damage, the designer must understand the relationship between interstory drift and differen t levels of damage. Current code provisions for interstory drift, whic h attempt to address life safety primarily, are reviewed. The limitati ons of these provisions when applied to damage control design are disc ussed. An overview of current research on establishing a relationship between interstory drift and damage levels in nonstructural and struct ural elements is provided.