Seismic performance
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ec/Karl_Brullov_-_The_Last_Day_of_Pompeii_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg/220px-Karl_Brullov_-_The_Last_Day_of_Pompeii_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg)
Seismic performance is an execution of a building structure's ability to sustain its due functions, such as safety and serviceability, at and after a particular earthquake. A structure is, normally, considered safe if it does not endanger the lives and wellbeing of those in or around it by partially or completely collapsing. A structure may be considered serviceable if it is able to fulfill its operational functions for which it was designed.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a3/UN_headquarters_Haiti_after_2010_earthquake.jpg/220px-UN_headquarters_Haiti_after_2010_earthquake.jpg)
Ancient builders believed that earthquakes were a result of wrath of gods (in Greek mythology, e.g., the main "Earth-Shaker" was Poseidon) and, therefore, could not be resisted by humans.
Nowadays, the people's attitude has changed dramatically though seismic loads, sometimes, exceed ability of a structure to resist them without being broken, partially or completely.[2]
Related pages[change | change source]
Notes[change | change source]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- ↑ "Aerial views of damaged Port-au-Prince". Archived from the original on 2010-08-23. Retrieved 2010-03-26.
- ↑ Earthquake Performance Evaluation Tool Online (EPETO)