Interstory drift design and damage control issues

This paper addresses post-earthquake functionality of buildings by focusing on one of the key aspects of damage control design-interstory drift. It is generally recognized that interstory drift can be used as a measure of expected damage. In order to control damage, the designer must understand the relationship between interstory drift and different levels of damage. Current code provisions for interstory drift, which attempt to address life safety primarily, are reviewed. The limitations of these provisions when applied to damage control design are discussed. An overview of current research on establishing a relationship between interstory drift and damage levels in nonstructural and structural elements is provided.