| Abstract: | A previously developed response‐spectrum‐based procedure for computing the envelope that bounds the time‐varying realizations of Mohr's circle at any prescribed location within a two‐dimensional structure is extended for use with three‐dimensional structures subjected to as many as three translational components of ground acceleration. The proposed envelope, which is completely defined by quantities that are routinely used and calculated in conventional response spectrum analyses, is developed for the general case in which the principal directions of the earthquake, along which the ground accelerations are uncorrelated, are unknown. The accuracy of the proposed envelope is evaluated by comparing it to the results of an ensemble of time‐history analyses performed on a concrete arch dam using simulated accelerograms. It is found that the proposed envelope has a level of accuracy that is suitable for structural design and analysis. The largest observed difference between the simulated and predicted mean envelopes is less than 5%. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
