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Flowchart 3 - Equivalent Lateral Force Procedure Page 1

Equivalent Lateral Force Procedure

Determine SS, S1, SDS, SD1, and the

SDC from Flowchart 1 and 2.

Determine the response modification coefficient R from Table

12.2-1 for the appropriate structural system based on SDC.

Determine the importance factor I from Table 11.5-1

based on the Occupancy Category from Table 1-1.

Determine the fundamental period of the Determine the approximate fundamental

structure T by a substantiated analysis that
considers the structural properties and
deformational characteristics of the
structure.
period Ta by 12.8.2.1; eq. 12.8-7 or
alternates*.
Eq. 12.8-7: 𝑇𝑎 = 𝐶𝑡 ℎ𝑛𝑥 where values of Ct and
x are given in Table 12.8-2.

Determine the approximate fundamental

period Ta by 12.8.2.1; eq. 12.8-7 or
alternates*.

Eq. 12.8-7: 𝑇𝑎 = 𝐶𝑡 ℎ𝑛𝑥 where values of Ct and

x are given in Table 12.8-2.

Determine Cu from Table 12.8-1 based on SD1.

Determine the upper limit on the calculated

period per 12.8.2; Tmax = CuTa

E F

*Alternative methods for Ta are given in 12.8.2.1 for concrete and steel moment resisting frames and
masonry or concrete shear wall structures.
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Flowchart 3 - Equivalent Lateral Force Procedure Page 2

No Yes
Is T > CuTa?

T from substantiated Use T = CuTa.

analysis may be used.

Determine TL from Figures

22-15 through 22-20.

No Yes
Is T >TL?

G H
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Flowchart 3 - Equivalent Lateral Force Procedure Page 3

Determine CS by Eqs. 12.8-2 and 12.8-3*

𝑆𝐷𝑆 𝑆𝐷1
𝐶𝑠 = 0.044𝑆𝐷𝑆 𝐼 ≤ ≤
𝑅 𝑅
( ) 𝑇( )
𝐼 𝐼

No Yes
Is S1 ≥ 0.6

No Yes
Is CS < 0.01?
Is Cs < larger of
No 0.5𝑆1
Yes
0.01 and 𝑅 ?
( )
𝐼

Cs = 0.01
Cs = larger of
0.5𝑆1
0.01 and 𝑅
( )
𝐼

*For regular structures five stories or less in height and having a period T ≤ 0.5 sec, Cs is permitted to be
calculated using a value of 1.5 for SS (12.8.1.3).
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Flowchart 3 - Equivalent Lateral Force Procedure Page 4

Determine CS by Eq. 12.8-4*

𝑆𝐷𝑆 𝑆𝐷1 𝑇𝐿
𝐶𝑠 = 0.044𝑆𝐷𝑆 𝐼 ≤ ≤
𝑅 𝑅
( ) 𝑇2 ( )
𝐼 𝐼

No Yes
Is S1 ≥ 0.6

No Yes
Is CS < 0.01?
Is Cs < larger of
No 0.5𝑆1
Yes
0.01 and 𝑅 ?
( )
𝐼

Cs = 0.01
Cs = larger of
0.5𝑆1
0.01 and 𝑅
( )
𝐼

*For regular structures five stories or less in height and having a period T ≤ 0.5 sec, Cs is permitted to be
calculated using a value of 1.5 for SS (12.8.1.3).
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Flowchart 3 - Equivalent Lateral Force Procedure Page 5

Determine effective seismic weight W in

accordance with 12.7.2.

Determine base shear V by Eq. 12.8-1:

𝑉 = 𝐶𝑠 𝑊

No Yes
Is T ≤ 0.5 sec?

No Yes Exponent related to structure

Is T ≥ 2.5 sec?
period k = 1 (12.8.3)

Exponent related to structure

period k = 2 (12.8.3)

Exponent related to structure Interpolate exponent related

period k = 2 (12.8.3) to structure period (12.8.3).

k = 0.75 + 0.5T

Determine vertical distribution of the lateral

seismic force Fx at level x by Eqs. 12.8-11 and
12.8-12 (respectively):

𝑤𝑥 ℎ𝑥𝑘
𝐹𝑥 = 𝐶𝑣𝑥 𝑉 𝐶 𝑣𝑥 =
∑𝑛𝑖=1 𝑤𝑖 ℎ𝑖𝑘
J
wi, wx, hi, and hx per 12.8.3.

*See example 24 of SEAOC 2009 IBC Structural/Seismic Design Manual, Vol. 1 (or other similar example).
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Flowchart 3 - Equivalent Lateral Force Procedure Page 6

Determine the seismic design story shear Vx at

level x by Eq. 12.8-13:
𝑛

𝑉𝑥 = ∑ 𝐹𝑖
𝑖=𝑥
Fi = the portion of the seismic base shear (V)
induced at Level i.

Is the diaphragm made up

No Yes
of a concrete slab or
concrete filled metal deck?

Is the diaphragm span-to-

No Yes
depth ratio ≤ 3:1 with no
horizontal irregularities?

Diaphragm is
considered
rigid.

Is the maximum diaphragm

No deflection (MDD) > 2x average Yes
drift of vertical element
(ADVE)? (See Fig. 12.3-1)
Diaphragm is
considered
flexible.

K L K

*See example 24 of SEAOC 2009 IBC Structural/Seismic Design Manual, Vol. 1 (or other similar example).
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Flowchart 3 - Equivalent Lateral Force Procedure Page 7

K L

Determine inherent torsional moment Distribute Vx to the vertical elements

Mt resulting from eccentricity of the seismic force-resisting system
between the locations of the center in accordance with 12.8.4.1.
of mass and the center of rigidity.*

M
Determine accidental torsional
moment Mta in accordance with
12.8.4.2.*

No Is the structure assigned to Yes

SDC C, D, E, or F?

Does any story being investigated

No Yes
have a Type 1a or 1b torsional
irregularity per Table 12.3-1?

Distribute Vx to the vertical elements of the Determine the torsional amplification factor Ax
2
seismic force-resisting system considering 𝛿
𝑚𝑎𝑥
by Eq. 12.8-14: 𝐴𝑥 = (1.2𝛿 ) ≤3
the relative lateral stiffness of the vertical 𝑎𝑣𝑔

resisting elements and the diaphragm, Where 𝛿𝑚𝑎𝑥 and 𝛿𝑎𝑣𝑔 are defined in 12.8.4.3.
including Mt + Mta

′
Determine 𝑀𝑡𝑎 = 𝐴𝑥 𝑀𝑡𝑎

Distribute Vx to the vertical elements of the seismic

force-resisting system considering the relative
lateral stiffness of the vertical resisting elements
M and the diaphragm, including Mt + M'ta

*See example 24 of SEAOC 2009 IBC Structural/Seismic Design Manual, Vol. 1 (or other similar example).
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Flowchart 3 - Equivalent Lateral Force Procedure Page 8

Design structure to resist overturning

effects caused by seismic forces Fx (12.8.5)

Determine the deflection amplification

factor Cd from Table 12.2-1.

Determine the deflection 𝛿𝑥 at levels x by Eq. 12.8-15:

𝐶𝑑 𝛿𝑥𝑒
𝛿𝑥 = 𝐼
where 𝛿𝑥𝑒 are the deflections at level x based
on an elastic analysis of the structure subjected to the
seismic forces Fx *

Determine the design story drift Δ as the difference of the

deflections 𝛿𝑥 at the center of mass at the top and bottom
of the story under consideration (see Figure 12.8-2).

Check that the allowable story drifts Δa given in Table

12.12-1 are satisfied at each story.

Ensure that the other applicable drift and deformation

requirements of 12.12 are satisfied.

Determine stability coefficient θ at each story by Eq. 12.8-16:

𝑃𝑥 Δ𝐼 ∗∗
𝜃=
𝑉𝑥 ℎ𝑠𝑥 𝐶𝑑
Where Px = total vertical design load at and above level x (Px is determined
using load factors no greater than 1.0) and hsx = the story height below level x.

*It is permitted to determine 𝛿𝑥𝑒 using seismic design forces based on the computed fundamental
period of the structure without the upper limit CuTa specified in 12.8.2 (12.8.6.2).
**The importance factor, I, is applicable in ASCE 7-10 but not in ASCE 7-05.
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Flowchart 3 - Equivalent Lateral Force Procedure Page 9

No Yes
Is θ ≤ 0.1?

Determine 𝜃𝑚𝑎𝑥 by Eq. 12.8-17:

0.5
𝜃𝑚𝑎𝑥 = ≤ 0.25
𝐶𝑑 𝛽 P-Delta effects need not be
Where 𝛽 = ratio of shear demand to shear considered on the
capacity for the story between levels x structure (12.8.7).
and level x - 1.*

No Yes
Is θ > θmax?

Structure is potentially
unstable and must be
redesigned so that θ ≤ θmax.

Determine displacements Determine P-delta effects

and member forces by multiplying first-order
including P-delta effects displacements and
1.0
from a rational analysis. member forces by .
(1−𝜃)

* 𝛽 can conservatively be taken as 1.0. Where P-delta effects are included in an automated analysis, the
value of θ computed by Eq. 12.8-16 is permitted to be divided by (1- θ) before checking Eq. 12.8-17
(12.8.7)