MODELING • Import Model Geometry from ETABS and SAP2000 • Easy-to-Use Graphical Interface • Beam, Column and Brace Members • Solid, Hollow and Flanged Parametric Shapes • Shear Links and Panel Zones • Complex Shear Walls and Floor Slabs • Dampers and Isolators • Plastic Hinges with PMM Interaction • P-Delta Effects NONLINEAR ANALYSIS • 3D Nonlinear Static Pushover • 3D Nonlinear Time-History Earthquake • Sequential Loading, e.g., Cyclic Pushover • Automated Analysis Strategies • Trilinear Force-Deformation Relationship • Optional Brittle Strength Loss and Stiffness Degradation • Combine Results for Multiple Earthquakes • Vary Member Strengths without Changing the Model • Efficient Solver for Large Structures DISPLAY • Demand/Capacity (Usage) Plots • Pushover Diagrams • Time-History Records of Displacements, Drifts and Forces • Moment and Shear Diagrams • Force Displays for Member Groups • Animated Deflected Shapes • Animated Mode Shapes • Hysteresis Loop Plots • Mean Demand/Capacity Plots • Energy Balance Displays Displacement Based Design * Traditionally, earthquake-resistant design has been strength-based, using linear elastic analysis. * Since inelastic behavior is usually allowed for strong earthquakes, this is not entirely rational. * Strength-based design considers inelastic behavior only implicitly. * Displacement-based (or deformation-based) design considers inelastic behavior explicitly, using nonlinear inelastic analysis. * Displacement-based design recognizes that in a strong earthquake, inelastic deformation (or ductility) can be more important than strength. * PERFORM-3D allows you to use displacement-based design. Implementation of ASCE 41 * Procedures for displacement-based design using inelastic analysis are specified in ASCE 41, “Seismic Rehabilitation of Existing Buildings”. * ASCE 41 applies to the retrofit of existing buildings, but the procedures can be applied to the design of new buildings. * PERFORM-3D implements the procedures in ASCE 41. * However, PERFORM-3D is a general tool for implementing displacement-based design. It is not limited to ASCE 41.