A review of seismic design recommendations in Jordan

The seismic design recommendations of the Jordan Code for Loads and Forces (JC) are evaluated, based on comparisons with analytical studies and the Uniform Building Code. It was established that the overall safety ensured by the implementation of these recommendations is not consistent with the established seismic risk in Jordan and the intended objectives of the code. A new zoning map is proposed with effective peak ground acceleration values. The different period formulae of the code were studied and were found to grossly underestimate the fundamental period when compared with analytically derived values or other codes' formulae. Other factors including the dynamic, soil, importance and behavior factors are discussed. It was determined that the JC's lateral load distribution formulae clearly lead to smaller internal forces than both dynamic analysis and UBC loads, even when those loads are normalized to give the same base shear. The main reason for this is attributed to the limited allowance for a backlash force in the JC.