6.5.

Seismic Design Requirements for Nonbuilding

Structures
6.5.1. General
Nonbuilding structures supported by the ground or by other structures must be designed and detailed to resist the minimum
seismic forces prescribed in Chapter 15.

The selection of a structural analysis procedure for a nonbuilding structure is based on its similarity to buildings. Nonbuilding
structures that are similar to buildings exhibit behavior similar to that of building structures; however, their function and
performance are different. According to 15.1.3, structural analysis procedures for such buildings are to be selected in
accordance with 12.6, which are applicable to building structures. Guidelines and recommendations on the use of these
methods are given in C15.1.3. In short, the provisions for building structures need to be carefully examined before they are
applied to nonbuilding structures.

Nonbuilding structures that are not similar to buildings exhibit behavior that is markedly different than that of building
structures. Most of these types of structures have reference documents that address their unique structural performance and
behavior. Such reference documents are permitted to be used to analyze the structure (15.1.3). In addition, the following
procedures may be used: equivalent lateral force procedure (12.8), linear dynamic analysis procedures (12.9), and nonlinear
response history analysis procedure (Chapter 16). Guidelines and recommendations on the proper analysis method to utilize
for nonbuilding structures that are not similar to buildings are given in C15.1.3. Requirements for nonbuilding structures that
are sensitive to vertical ground motions (such as tanks, vessels, hanging structures and nonbuilding structures with horizontal
cantilevers) are given in 15.1.4.

6.5.2. Nonbuilding Structures Supported by Other Structures

Provisions are given in 15.3 for the nonbuilding structures in Table 15.4-2 (that is, nonbuilding structures that are not similar
to buildings) that are supported by other structures and that are not part of the primary SFRS. The design method depends on
the weight of the nonbuilding structure relative to the weight of the combined nonbuilding and supporting structure (see
15.3.1 and 15.3.2). Where the weight of the nonbuilding structure is less than 25 percent of the combined effective seismic
weights of the nonbuilding structure and the supporting structure, the design seismic forces for the nonbuilding structure is to
be determined in accordance with the nonstructural component requirements in Chapter 13 with Rp and ap determined by
13.1.6. The appropriate requirements in Chapter 12 or 15.5 are to be used in the design of the supporting structure.

Where the weight of the nonbuilding structure is greater than or equal to 25 percent of the combined effective seismic weights
of the nonbuilding structure and the supporting structure, an analysis that combines the structural characteristics of both
structures must be performed, which is based on the fundamental period, T , of the nonbuilding structure:

1. Where T < 0.06 second:

a. The nonbuilding system is considered a rigid element.

b. The supporting structure must be designed using the appropriate requirements of Chapter 12 or 15.5.

c. The R-value of the combined system is permitted to be taken as the R-value of the supporting system.

d. The nonbuilding structure must be designed in accordance with Chapter 13 where Rp must be taken equal to R of the
nonbuilding structure given in Table 15.4-2 and ap must be taken as 1.0.

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2. Where T ≥ 0.06 second:

a. The nonbuilding structure and supporting structure must be modeled together in a combined model with appropriate
stiffness and effective seismic weight distributions.

b. The combined system must be designed in accordance with 15.5 with the R-value of the combined system taken as the
lesser of the R-value of the nonbuilding structure or the supporting structure.

6.5.3. Structural Design Requirements

Specific design requirements for nonbuilding structures are given in 15.4.

For nonbuilding structures that are similar to buildings, the permitted structural systems, design values and limitations are
given in Table 15.4-1. Similar information is provided in Table 15.4-2 for nonbuilding structures that are not similar to
buildings. Requirements on the determination of the base shear, vertical distribution of seismic forces, importance factor and
load combinations are given in 15.4.1.

Additional provisions for rigid buildings, loads, fundamental period, drift limitations, deflection limits and other requirements
can be found in 15.4.2 through 15.4.8.

6.5.4. Nonbuilding Structures Similar to Buildings

Additional requirements are given in 15.5 for pipe racks, steel storage racks, electrical power generating facilities, structural
towers for tanks and vessels and piers and wharves.

6.5.5. Nonbuilding Structures Not Similar to Buildings

Additional requirements are given in 15.6 for earth-retaining structures, stacks and chimneys, amusement structures, special
hydraulic structures, secondary containment systems, telecommunication towers, steel tubular support structures for onshore
wind turbine generator systems and ground-supported cantilever walls or fences.

6.5.6. Tanks and Vessels

Comprehensive seismic design requirements are given in 15.7 for tanks and vessels. As noted in C15.7, most, if not all,
industry standards that contain seismic design requirements are based on earlier seismic codes.

Flowchart 6.11 in Section 6.6 of this publication provides a step-by-step procedure on how to determine design seismic forces
on nonbuilding structures that are similar to buildings and that are not similar to buildings.

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