thank you for your questions.

a) Capacity curve should go up to relative value of the target displacement, EN 1998-1, 4.3.3.4.2.3

b) The pier is not reduced. But it is "reduced" by horizontal elements (parapet, lintel). Or if you check option LMesh->Rigid short beams" all elements bellow parapet and under lintel will be rigid.

could you please answer me the following 2 questions:

- why is the seismic verification for ULS preformed through the check d(n)>=pd*dtULS. Is this according to EC? In EC I cannot find any additional parameter pd=1,5.

- which height of piers is taken into account for the seismic analysis. For example, if I have a pier situated between 2 windows, is the height of the pier reduced or is its height taken as the elevation height?

Thank you!