Statistical correlation of observed ground motion with low-rise building damage

A statistical study was conducted correlating ground motion with structure damage data from the RULISON underground nuclear explosion gas stimulation experiment. The statistical study first leads to the identification of the ground-motion characterization that best represents the damage potential of ground motion; then to the development of motion-damage relationships for low-rise buildings subjected to ground motion. The motion-damage relationships are derived both for overall damage as well as for the most frequently damaged building components. The overall motion-damage relationships are given in terms of incidence of complaints (complaint ratio), incidence of damage (damage ratio), and damage cost (damage cost factor).