EARTHQUAKE DESIGN

NSCP Section 208

(1997 UBC Earthquake Design)

Introduction
Seismic forces are a particularly important consideration for
engineers where the frequency of earthquake occurrences
is common.
Seismic building forces are the result of the sudden
movement and rupturing of crustal plates along fault lines.
New faults continued to be discovered, usually when an
unexpected earthquake occurs.
When a fault slip occurs suddenly, it generates seismic shock
waves that travel through the ground in a manner unlike that of
tossing a pebble onto the surface of calm water.
These seismic waves cause the ground to shake.

 The effect of this dynamic ground motion can

be simply modeled using a cereal box standing
upon a piece of sand paper.

 Upon yanking the paper, the box topples in the direction opposite of the
yank, as if a pushing force had been applied to the box.
The heavier the box, the greater the apparent applied force which is
called an inertia force.
As the ground moves suddenly, the building attempts to remain
stationary, generating the inertia induced seismic forces that are
approximated by the static lateral force procedure covered here.
This procedure is introduced in UBC '97 1629.8.3 and discussed in detail in
UBC '97 1630.

 The static force procedure is limited to use with regular

structures less than 240 feet in height.
And, also to irregular structures 65 feet or 5 stories in
height.
See UBC '97 1629.8.3 for exact definition of limitations.
Regular structures are symmetric, without discontinuities
in plan or elevation.
The building plan is generally rectangular.
The mass is reasonably uniform throughout the building's height.
The shear walls line up from story to story.

Irregular structures include both vertical irregularities (UBC

Table 16-L) or plan irregularities (UBC Table 16-M). These
irregular features include:
Reentrant corners.
Large openings in diaphragms.
Non-uniform distribution of mass or stiffness over building height
(e.g. soft story).

Basic premise of seismic code

provisions:
EARTHQUAKE

DAMAGE TO STRUCTURE

Minor

None

Moderate

Some damage to non-structural

elements

Major

Maybe severe damage, but not

collapse

SEISMIC ZONES
Seismic Zone Factor, Z
Zone

**

0.2

0.3

0.4

Modelling Forces
1997 UBC static lateral method considers both
horizontal movement and vertical ground movement.
The vertical component may be taken as zero, however,
when using the allowable stress design procedure.

We statically model the inertial effects using Newton's

2nd law of motion:

Rewrite equation (1) as:

 Compare (2) to UBC base shear design

equations, as given below, where each
equation is a function of the building weight
and some form of an acceleration factor.
Each acceleration factor is somewhat equivalent
to a/g, except they account for factors like
underlying soil, the structural system, and building
occupancy.

V= base shear force. The horizontal seismic force acting at the base of the
structure as modeled by the "yank" of the paper in the previous cereal box
example. It is important to note that this force was developed for the strength
design methodology and not the allowable stress approach.
W = the dead weight of the building plus a percentage of the live load that is
thought to be present during a seismic event. See UBC '97 1630.1.1 for details
about this live load addition.
(Cv I / R T) = acceleration factor (also known as a seismic base shear coefficient).
This coefficient will govern V for buildings with medium to long fundamental
period of vibrations. The forces in these buildings are induced by the velocity
component of the bedrock motion. Hence the "v" subscript.
(2.5 Ca I/R) = this coefficient is independent of the period of vibration. It will
govern V for buildings with short fundamental periods of vibrations, like the
buildings being studied in this class. The forces in these stiff buildings are
generated by the acceleration component of the bedrock motion. Hence the "a"
subscript.
(0.11 Ca I) = this coefficient is also independent of the period of vibration. It is a
lower bound value, keeping V at some minimum value.
(0.82 N v I / R) = this lower bound coefficient is only applicable to structures
located in seismic zone 4 and within 9.3 miles (15 km) of a known seismic fault.

 The difference in building response can be

simply demonstrated by "shaking" the base of
two different "structures".

Base Shear Terms

Z = seismic zone factor.
Effective peak ground accelerations with 10%
probability of being exceeded in 50 yrs.
Given as a percentage of acceleration due to
gravity.
For example, consider zone 4, where Z = .4 horizontal
ground acceleration is predicted at .4g at bedrock.

Doesn't account for building dynamic properties

or local soil conditions.

SEISMIC ZONES
Seismic Zone Factor, Z
Zone

**

0.2

0.3

0.4

 I = importance factor.
Classifying buildings according to use and
importance.
Essential facilities, hazardous facilities, special
occupancy structures, standard occupancy structures,
miscellaneous structures.
Essential facilities mean that the building must remain
functioning in a catastrophe.
Essential facilities include: hospitals, communication
centers, fire and police stations.
Design for greater safety.

'97 UBC Table 16-K.

I = 1.25 for essential and hazardous facilities.
I = 1.0 all others.

Occupancy Requirements

Occupancy Category (1)

Importance Factor
Earthquake

Wind

. Essential Facilities

1.25

1.15

. Hazardous Facilities

1.25

1.15

. Special Occupancy Structures

1.00

1.00

. Standard Occupancy Structures

1.00

1.00

Occupancy Categories
Occupancy Categories

. Essential Facilities

. Hazardous Facilities

. Special Occupancy
Structures

. Standard Occupancy
Structure

Occupancy Type of Function of Structures

Hospitals and other medical facilities having surgery, and emergency
treatment areas.
Fire and police stations
Tanks or other structures containing, housing, or supporting water
or other fire-suppression materials or equipment required for the
protection of essential or hazardous facilities, or special occupancy
structures.
Emergency vehicle and equipment shelters and garages
Structures and equipment in emergency preparedness cneters
Stand-by-power generating equipment for essential facilities
Structures and equipment in communication centers and other
facilities required for emergency response.
Structures housing, supporting or containing sufficient quantities of
toxic or explosive substances to be dangerous to the safety of the
general public if released.
Covered structures whose primary occupancy is public assemblycapacity more than 300 persons.
Buildings for schools (through secondary) or day-care centerscapacity more than 250 students.
Buildings for colleges or adult education schools-capacity more than
500 students.
Medical facilities with 50 or more resident incapacitated patients, but
not included above.
Fails and detention facilities.
All structures with occupancy more than 5000 persons.
Structures and equipment in power generating stations and other
public utility facilities not included above, and required for continued operation.
All structures having occupancies or functions not listed above.

 T = building's fundamental period of vibration.

Fundamental period of vibration is the length of
time, in seconds, it takes a structure to move
through one complete cycle of free vibration in
the first mode.

 There are two methods to estimate T:

Method A:

Using Method A, the fundamental period of vibrations

for masonry buildings is estimated at:
Height (ft)

Period (seconds)

20

.19

40

.32

60

.43

120

.73

160

.90

 Method B: (an iterative approach not

generally used in regular structures)

 Ca and Cv = seismic dynamic response

spectrum values.
Accounts for how the building and soil can
amplify the basic ground acceleration or
velocity.
Ca and Cv are determined from respectively
'97 UBC tables 16-Q and 16-R as a function
of Z, underlying soil conditions, and
proximity to a fault.
Using method A,

Soil profile type:

The soil layers beneath a structure effects the
way that structure responds to the earthquake
motion.
When the period of vibration of the building is
close to the period of vibration of the
underlying soil, the bedrock motion is
amplified. The building experiences larger
motions than that predicted by Z alone. The
following are generalizations about building
response as a function of building flexibility and
underlying soil stiffness.

Building Description

Soil Description

Induced Seismic Force

Flexible (Large T's)

Soft (big S)

Higher

Flexible

Stiff

Lower

Stiff

Soft

Higher

Flexible

Stiff

Lower

Site Coefficients

Type

Description

S Factor

A soil profile with either

(a) A rock-like material characterized by a shear-wave
velocity greater than 760 m per second or by other suitable
means of classification
or
(b) stiff or dense soil condition where the soil depth is less
than 60 m

1.0

1.2

S2

A soil profile with dense or stiff soil conditions, where the

soil depth exceeds 60 m or more.

1.5

S3

A soil profile 12 m or more in depth and containing more

than 6 m of soft to medium stiff clay but not more than 12 m
of soft clay

S4

A soil profile containing more than 12 m of soft clay

2.0

S1

 Soil Profile Types:

Description

Type

Hard Rock

SA

Rock

SB

Very dense soil and soft rock

SC

Stiff soil

SD

Soft soil

SE

See '97 UBC 1629.3.1

SF

 Specific details about each type can be found in '97

UBC Table 16-J and '97 UBC 1629.3.1. / NSCP

In the absence of a geotechnical site investigation,

use SD. This is in accordance with '97 UBC 1629.3
Do not confuse this requirement with the one stated in
'97 UBC 1630.2.3.2 which applies ONLY when using the
simplified design base shear procedures of '97 UBC
1630.2.3. / NSCP

 R = response modification factor.

A judgement factor that accounts for building
ductility, damping, and over-strength.

Ductility = ability to deform in the inelastic

range prior to fracture:

 Damping = resistance to motion provided by

internal material friction.

 Structural systems with larger R = better seismic

performance.
In '97 UBC Table 16-N, R range from 2.8 (light steel
frame bearing walls with tension bracing) to 8.5
(special SMRFS of steel or concrete and some dual
systems).
For bearing wall systems where the wall elements
resist both lateral and vertical loads:
Wood shear panel buildings with 3 or less stories: R =
5.5
Masonry shear walls: R = 4.5.

 Nv and Na = near source factors that are

applicable in only seismic zone 4. They account
for the very large ground accelerations that occur
near the seismic source (the fault).
Nv is generally used with Cv for structures located <
9.3 miles (15km) from the fault.
Nv is found in '97 UBC Table 16-T

Na is used with Ca for structures located < 6.2 miles

(10 km) from the fault.
Na is found in '97 UBC Table 16-S.

Both Na and Nv are based upon the type of seismic

source, A-C. This source type, and location of fault,
must be established using approved geotechnical data
like a current USGS survey.

Distribution of Seismic Forces

First, determine base force.
Then determine and distribute forces over the height of
the building, called story forces, Fx.
There are two different sets of story forces distributed to
the primary LFRS (Lateral Force Resisting System):
For vertical elements, use Fx.
For horizontal elements, use Fpx.
Recall that the primary LFRS for a box building = horizontal
diaphragms and vertical shear walls.

Then adjust these strength level forces by a

redundancy/reliability factor, r, and an allowable stress
factor of 1.4 to be discussed later.

 Story forces for vertical elements.

Used in design of shear walls and shear wall
anchorage at the foundation.
Determined before Fpx's.
Applied simultaneously at all levels.

Results in a triangular distribution of forces

over a multi-story building that has
approximately equal floor masses.

and
Where:

Ft = roof level force accounting

for whiplash effect.
Ft
.07TV .25V or
0 if T .7 sec.

wx, wi = tributary weights at

levels x and i.
hx, hi = height above base to
levels x and i.

 Story forces for

horizontal elements.
At roof level, Fpx = Fx.
At other levels, Fpx > Fx.
Accounting for the
possibility that larger
instantaneous forces can
occur on individual
diaphragms.

Applied individually to
each level for the design
of that diaphragm.

where wpx = weight of

diaphragm and elements
tributary to it at level x.
For masonry buildings (and
concrete) supported by flexible
diaphragms, the R factor used
to determine V must be
reduced to 4.0 from 4.5 (

 The single story building is a special case.

In most cases, T .7 and Ft then is taken as zero.
From equation 30-15:

From equation 33-1:

Consequently, F1 = Fp1 = V for the case of wood frame

buildings.
For masonry buildings, Fp, is based upon a slightly
larger V due to R changing from 4.5 to 4.0 according
to '97 UBC 1633.2.9.3. In this case, then: F1 = V and Fp1
= 1.125 V.

 Redundancy/reliability factor and the 1.4 ASD adjustment:

In the load combination equations as discussed in the last sub-module in the
load module of this site, all earthquake forces are generically called E.

Where:
Eh = load developed from V, (like Fx or Fpx) or Fp, (the design force on a part of a structure).
Ev = 0 for ASD
r = redundancy/reliability factor, discussed below.

E is at strength level and must be divided by 1.4 for use in allowable stress
design.

The redundancy/reliability factor penalizes structures in seismic zones

3 and 4 that do not have a reasonable number and distribution of
lateral force resisting elements, such as shear walls. These structures
with a limited number of shearwalls are referred to as non-redundant
structures where the failure of one wall loads to the total collapse of
the structure.

Example 1
Develop the applicable seismic
forces for a one-story, boxtype industrial building
located in Southern California.
Assume partially grouted CMU
walls weighing 61 lb/ft2, a roof
dead load of 9 psf, and the
building is not located near
(further than 9.3 miles) a
seismic source. No
geotechnical investigation was
completed.

Base shear coefficient, V

Recall that middle equation is for buildings medium to long
fundamental T's. The left-hand equations are lower bound values.
The right-hand equation is for short (stiff) T buildings.
You can determine if its the right-hand equation quickly by
comparing the building's T to Ts:
TS is a limiting period of vibration that is used to differentiate between stiff
and flexible buildings.
The seismically-induced forces in stiff buildings are related to the bedrock
acceleration. The forces in flexible buildings are related more to bedrock
velocity.

 Calculate T and Ts:

Zone = 4
Z = .4
Soil profile type = SD
NV = 1.0
CV = .64
Na = 1.0
Ca = .44
TS = .64/(2.5(.44)) = .582
sec
Therefore, use short T
base shear equation.

Calculate V:

Zone = 4
Z = .4
Na =
Ca = .44
I = 1.0
R = 4.5

 Story force for vertical elements, F1

Recall that for a one story structure where T .7, the

vertical story force and the base shear are equal.
F1 = V = .244W

Story force for horizontal elements, Fp1

In a one story masonry building with flexible

diaphragms, recall that:
Fp1 = 1.125V
Fp1 = 1.125(.244)W = .275W

 Calculate the diaphragm design forces in the

transverse loading direction due to seismic.
To do this, need to first determine W, the weight of
the structure that is supported by the diaphragm.
Consider this weight (and resulting force) on a per foot basis.

 A 1' strip of dead load = the mass that causes the inertial forces on a per
foot basis in the diaphragm.

Similarly in the longitudinal direction:

It is customary to ignore wall openings in these diaphragm force

calculations, as the added accuracy is generally not warranted.

 This uniform diaphragm force is at the strength level, and

has not yet been adjusted by r and 1.4.
In other words, Fp in the transverse direction could be generically
labeled Eh from the equation:
E = r Eh + 0
Recall that r = 1.0 for this type of building when

On the right-hand side of our building, a window occurs;

lessening the length of wall to resist shear to 2 - 17.5 ft
segments.

Adjusting to ASD:
transverse:
Fp = 476/1.4 = 340 lb/ft
longitudinal:
Fp = 600/1.4 = 429 lb/ft

 Comparing wind vs. seismic forces, it is apparent

that seismic will govern the lateral design of the
diaphragm in both directions.
Transverse: 340 plf > 93 plf.
Longitudinal: 429 plf > 93 plf.

 Calculate the unit shear forces in the flexible diaphragm.

Flexible diaphragms are like deep, thin, uniformly-loaded beams
that are simply supported by the shear walls.

Consider the transverse direction:

 Longitudinal force direction:

The transverse direction is often the more critical direction for

rectangular buildings due to the longer diaphragm span and the
shorter shear walls.

In summary: the diaphragm spans between the supporting

shear walls, transferring the inertial affect of the perpendicular
walls and itself to those walls located parallel to force direction.