Earthquake Engineering - Vol 2

Spectral Acceleration (Sa) is a critical parameter in earthquake engineering, representing the maximum acceleration of a damped single degree of freedom (SDOF) system under seismic forces. This chapter provides an in-depth exploration of Sa's definition, calculation, influence on design, and practical applications, while also highlighting key factors affecting spectral acceleration such as soil type and damping ratio. Significant advancements and methodologies for using spectral acceleration in seismic design and analysis are also discussed, including site-specific response spectra and recent research developments.