Diversion of DCR

NIST uses talk of Demand to Capacity Ratios (DCR) to hide the fact that buildings are engineered with considerable Reserve Strength Ratios (RSR).

Normal reserve strength ratios are:

• 5X anticipated static loads
• 3X anticipated dynamic loads

Anticipated loads are the most extreme events a structure might encounter, such as:

• Magnitude 8 earthquakes
• 100-year storms
• Severe fires