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This paper presents a preliminary seismic risk screening tool to identify buildings whose superior structural and non-structural seismic performance in regions of low seismicity can be assessed based on several key attributes. The tool is designed to exempt buildings from detailed seismic risk assessment if key exemption criteria are met. The exemption criteria are based on: a seismic categorization system linked to anticipated building damage and seismicity; whether or not the building was designed using modern seismic design provisions; and the remaining time that the building will be occupied. The tool also provides a second list of criteria, which if satisfied, will automatically trigger further detailed seismic risk assessment. The decisions rendered by the tool regarding the expected seismic performance of a building are evaluated against the next level of seismic risk screening tool to ensure the consistency. A flowchart is presented to facilitate adoption of the tool by practicing engineers and other end-users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, no systematic approach exists for damage evaluation of light-frame wood structures subjected to blast loading. This paper presents a detailed assessment of the behaviour of 33 full-scale light-frame wood stud walls subjected to a total of 48 shots of simulated blast loading. Detailed documentation of the observed damage allowed for the development of an accurate evaluation strategy of the response limits. The observed response limits are compared to limits derived from single-degree-of-freedom modelling using scaled pressure-impulse diagrams and to current code performance levels. It was concluded that the assumption made in contemporary blast design codes overestimates the ductility ratios for light-frame wood stud walls, and that using a maximum ductility of 2 is more appropriate and safer for blast design. Based on the observed damage levels obtained from the experimental study, the authors propose new ductility ratios corresponding to four damage regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]