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Overview of Technical Approach Structural performance: The global performance of waterfront structures is evaluated using simplified global models and analysis methods, for various earthquake magnitudes corresponding to different levels of serviceability as outlined in all the Modern Seismic Design Criteria. Division personnel may look at the advanced modeling methods to remove conservative assumptions associated with simplified methods. This may prove beneficial, especially in the evaluation of the existing facilities, since all the Modern Multilevel Seismic Design Criteria permits (and sometimes requires) the use of the more advanced methods. Elimination of conservative analytical assumptions by using of the advanced analysis methodologies may result in significant retrofit savings. Additional savings may be achieved in the analysis process may be achieved by integrating auxiliary systems such as cranes and pipelines into the global model. This can allow for a rapid evaluation of the structural behavior of all components of the wharf system without conservative assumptions that usually add to behavioral uncertainties, causing unnecessarily conservative design and increases in construction cost. SC Solutions have been involved in several recent waterfront projects located in high seismic zones where the use of advanced analytical techniques resulted in such multiple savings in design and construction costs. |
