Design regulations#

Definitions of the design code levels and enforcement levels are summarized in the table below.

Code level	Description
No code	Codes that followed weak seismic provisions or no provisions at all. Some codes used allowable stresses and very low material strength values and considered predominantly the gravity loads.
Low code	First generation of design regulations. These codes considered the seismic action by enforcing values of the seismic coefficient (typically called a lateral force coefficient). Structural design for these codes was typically based on material specific standards that used allowable stress design or a stress-block approach.
Moderate code	Second generation of design regulations. These codes include modern concepts of ultimate capacity and partial safety factors (limit state design) and/or with better detailing to improve global ductility. The seismic action was also accounted for in the design by enforcing values for the lateral force coefficient. It is noted that the distinction low and moderate code is often not straightforward and varying interpretations could be made by different engineers.
High code	Third generation of design regulations. These codes refer to modern seismic design principles that account for capacity design and local ductility measures.

A summary table is presented below for countries within South America that have some evidence of deliberate seismic design regulations.