Background to some of the seismic design provisions of the 2015 National Building Code of Canada.

The last version of the National Building Code of Canada was issued in 2010. The next version will be issued in 2015. In the code cycle between 2010 and 2015 significant changes have taken place in the seismic design provision. The main factor that drives these changes is an improved understanding of the seismic hazard across the country. Changes have also been introduced in the site effect factors. The structural design provisions have been appropriately adjusted to respond to changes in the estimates of hazard and the new site effect factors. There are also new provisions related to design in regions of low hazard, buildings with flexible diaphragms, buildings with inclined columns, passive energy dissipation systems, base isolation, rocking foundations, glazing systems, racks, and elevators. Some of the changes are briefly discussed. The main focus of the paper is, however, on the revisions to the structural design provisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]