Overstrength

Plain Definition: The additional strength of a structure beyond what is required by code.

Technical Description: Overstrength results from conservative assumptions, material variability, and detailing. It is quantified with an overstrength factor (Ω₀) in seismic codes.

Use in Design: Used in capacity design to ensure brittle elements do not fail before ductile ones.

Meta Title: Overstrength in Earthquake Engineering | Structural Glossary

Meta Description: Understand overstrength and its role in ensuring safe and controlled seismic structural behavior.

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