Do current structural engineering practices accurately reflect the seismic behavior of structures?

Usage & Licensing Notice: This work is provided for academic and informational purposes only. Any commercial, practical, industrial, or organizational use, including implementation or creation of derivative works, requires prior written permission and a separate licensing agreement with the author. In conventional structural engineering practice, seismic loads are included in design codes; however, analysis and design procedures often rely on simplified representations of earthquake effects. Complex structural responses, interaction effects, and broader ground-induced influences are rarely fully assessed. These limitations affect not only structural analyses but also design methodologies, engineering software capabilities, and educational programs. As a result, the predictive accuracy of structural behavior and the achievement of performance objectives may be compromised. This work documents existing gaps in seismic effect assessment and emphasizes the need for further research, improved evaluation methods, and greater consideration of real earthquake impacts in engineering practice and education.