Seismic qualification by means of earthquake experience

The direct seismic qualification of items by means of the use of experience from strong motion seismic events has had limited but growing application. Only in recent years have data from strong motion earthquakes generally been collected in the quality and detail necessary to provide the information necessary for direct application to individual items. 

In general the quality and detail of the information used to qualify individual items directly on the basis of data from experience should not be less than are required for direct qualification by analysis or testing. As is the case for direct qualification by analysis or testing, earthquake experience may be used as a basis for qualification by the indirect method also. 

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