Advanced inelastic static(pushover) analysis for earthquake applications

Whereas the potential of static inelastic analysis methods is recognised in earthquake designand assessment, especially in contrast with elastic analysis under scaled forces, they have inherentshortcomings. In this paper, critical issues in the application of inelastic static (pushover) analysis arediscussed and their effect on the obtained results appraised. Areas of possible developments that wouldrender the method more applicable to the prediction of dynamic response are explored. New developmentstowards a fully adaptive pushover method accounting for spread of inelasticity, geometric nonlinearity, fullmulti-modal, spectral amplification and period elongation, within a framework of fibre modelling ofmaterials, are discussed and preliminary results are given. These developments lead to static analysisresults that are closer than ever to inelastic time-history analysis. It is concluded that there is great scopefor improvements of this simple and powerful technique that would increase confidence in its employmentas the primary tool for seismic analysis in practice.