This paper explores the development of a method that is useful for design of reinforced concrete (RC) frame structures to resist earthquakes. The substitute structure method, originally proposed in the 1970s, makes an analogy between viscously damped linear and hysteretic response for the purpose of estimating maximum displacement. The evolution of the method is retraced in order to emphasize its unique reliance on experimental results, which are needed to establish rules for assignment of substitute linear properties. Recent dynamic test results are used to extend significantly the calibration of the method, which furnishes design loads on the basis of drift and damage control.
