Nehrp Guidelines for the Seismic Rehabilitation of Building

Abstract

The volume you are now holding in your hands, the NEHRP Guidelines for the Seismic Rehabilitation of Buildings, and its companion Commentary volume, are the culminating manifestation of over 13 years of effort. They contain systematic guidance enabling design professionals to formulate effective and reliable rehabilitation approaches that will limit the expected earthquake damage to a specified range for a specified level of ground shaking. This kind of guidance applicable to all types of existing buildings and in all parts of the country has never existed before. Since 1984, when the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) first began a program to address the risk posed by seismically unsafe existing buildings, the creation of these Guidelines has been the principal target of FEMA’s efforts. Prior preparatory steps, however, were much needed, as was noted