Modeling and Test Data Uncertainty Factors Used in Prior FEMA P695 Studies

This technical note presents findings from a study investigating the correlation between the number of test data available and the choice of the uncertainty factors (called beta) used in the FEMA P695 methodology to quantify the quality of test data and modeling. On the basis of reviewing data from the existing literature on past FEMA P695 studies, an attempt was made to assess if there exists a trend in the choice of beta factors for new structural systems. This study can help in better estimating the test data (βTD) and modeling (βMDL) uncertainty factors for a new structural system with the available test data.