2.7.

Extraordinary Loads and Events

Requirements for extraordinary loads and events are given in ASCE/SEI 1.4.5, which references ASCE/SEI 2.5. That section
provides minimum requirements for strength and stability of a structure where it has been required by the owner or code
having jurisdiction that the structure be able to withstand the effects from extraordinary events.

In general, extraordinary events arise from service or environmental conditions that are not traditionally considered in the
design of ordinary buildings because their probability of occurrence is low and their duration is short. Fires, explosions,
vehicular impact and tornadoes are all examples of such events. The purpose of these requirements is to help ensure that
buildings and structures have sufficient strength and ductility and are adequately tied together so that damage caused by the
extraordinary event is relatively small.

A load combination for checking the capacity of a structure or structural element to withstand the effects of an extraordinary
event is given in ASCE/SEI Equation 2.5-1:

(0.9 or 1.2) D + Ak + 0.5L + 0.2S

(2.1)

In this equation, Ak is the load or load effect that results from the extraordinary event A. Similar to what is done in the strength
design load combinations, the load factor on Ak is set equal to 1.0 because it can be considered a strength-level load.

A factor of 0.9 is to be used on the dead load effect, D, if the dead load has a stabilizing effect; otherwise, a load factor of 1.2
should be used. The load factors on L and S correspond approximately to the mean of the yearly maximum live and snow
loads. Roof live loads, Lr, and rain loads, R, are not included in this load combination because they have short durations in
comparison to S, and thus, the probability of them occurring with Ak is negligible.

ASCE/SEI Equation 2.5-2 is to be used to check the residual load-carrying capacity of a structure or structural element
following the occurrence of a damaging event. In particular, selected load-bearing members are to be removed from the
structure assuming that they have been critically damaged (that is, they have essentially no load-carrying capacity) and the
capacity of the damaged structure is to be evaluated by the following load combination:

(0.9 or 1.2) D + 0.5L + 0.2 (Lr or S or R)

(2.2)

The stability of the entire structure and each of its members must be checked after an extraordinary event as well. ASCE/SEI
C2.5 provides a rational method for meeting this requirement.

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