Seismic Design Review Workbook Seismic P

Seism ic Design Review Workbook Se ism ic Pr in ciple s Te st Pla n
Ca lifor n ia Spe cia l Civil P.E. Se ism ic

Pr in ciple s Ex a m in a t ion St a t ist ics
Civil: Se ism ic ( 2½ hour)
Exam % Passed Cut off score Total Score Passing %
April 1997 46.5% 126 270 47%
October 1997 45.9% 130 274 47%
April 1998 33.3% 163 294 55%
October 1998 44.0% 139 294 47%
April 1999 35.8% 155 282 55%
October 1999 39.3% 168 289 58%
April 2000 37.5% 127 261 49%
October 2000 39.4% 148 288 51%
April 2001 37.3% 121 268 45%
October 2001 40.3% 150 294 51%
April 2002 39.6% 138 276 50%
October 2002 44.2% 136 287 47%
April 2003 37.1% 155 300 52%
October 2003 40.4% 136 281 48%
April 2004 35.6% 125 263 48%
October 2004 38.5% 154 300 51%
April 2005 39.8% 159 292 54%
October 2005 44.8% 164 295 56%
April 2006 37.4% 152 300 51%
October 2006 37.2% 142 263 54%
April 2007 36.7% 156 292 53%
October 2007 39.9% 177 292 61%
April 2008 36.3% 153 295 52%
October 2008 36.6% 151 285 53%
April 2009 39.5% 25 50 50%
October 2009 39.2% Pass / Fail Only
April 2010 38.6% Pass / Fail Only
October 2010 38.7% Pass / Fail Only
St even T. Hiner, MS, SE xxi

Seism ic Design Review Workbook Ch a pt e r 1 – Ea r t h qu a k e Ch a r a ct e r ist ics
The United States Geologic Survey (USGS) uses the following to represent earthquake strength:
Ta ble 1 .1 – USGS Ea r t h qua k e St r e n gt h

Ea r t hqua k e M a gnit ude , M
Micro <3
Minor 3 – 3.9
Light 4 – 4.9
Moderate 5 – 5.9
Strong 6 – 6.9
Major 7 – 7.9
Great >8
En e r gy Re le a se , E
In 1956, Gutenberg and Richter developed the following equation to approximate the earthquake energy
radiated, E (in ergs), as a function of earthquake magnitude, M:
Log10E = 11.8 + 1.5M
Based on this equation, each whole number increase in Richter magnitude would represent an approximate
32-fold increase in the amount of energy radiated.
A M7.0 earthquake would radiate approximately 1,000 times more energy than a M5.0 earthquake.
Theoretically, it would take approximately 1,000 M5.0 earthquakes to release the amount of energy of a
single M7.0 earthquake.
1 .6 Ea r t h qu a k e I n t e n sit y
M odifie d M e r ca lli I n t e n sit y Sca le , M M I
The intensity of an earthquake is based on the damage to structures, damage to the ground surface, and
observed effects on people and other features. Intensity is directly related to an earthquake's local ground
accelerations and how long they persist (i.e., duration of strong ground motion).
The Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale is subject to human interpretation, and may be skewed if the affected
structures are of unusually good versus unusually poor construction.
The Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale is a measure of the amount of shaking (and damage) at a particular
site. The intensity of an earthquake will vary depending on where the site is relative to the epicenter.
Intensity generally decreases with increasing distance from the epicenter, unless soil conditions (e.g., soft
soil) amplify the motion.
Because earthquake intensity assessments do not depend on instruments, but on the actual observation of
effects in a particular area, intensities can be assigned even to historical earthquakes.
Modified Mercalli intensities are represented with Roman numerals from I to XII. The lower numbers
(MMI I-VI) of the intensity scale are based on the manner in which the earthquake is felt by people. The
higher numbers (MMI VII-XII) are based on observed structural damage.
St even T. Hiner, MS, SE 1- 5

Seism ic Design Review Workbook Ch a pt e r 3 – Ge n e r a l Pr ovision s & Se ism ic D e sign Cr it e r ia
Ta ble 3 .2 - D e sign Spe ct r a l Re spon se Acce le r a t ion Pa r a m e t e r a t Sh or t Pe r iods ( S D S)

Sit e Cla ss
SS
A B C D* E F
0.05 0.03 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.08
0.10 0.05 0.07 0.08 0.11 0.17
0.15 0.08 0.10 0.12 0.16 0.25
0.20 0.11 0.13 0.16 0.21 0.33
0 .2 5 0.13 0.17 0.20 0.27 0.42
0.30 0.16 0.20 0.24 0.31 0.47
0.35 0.19 0.23 0.28 0.35 0.51
0.40 0.21 0.27 0.32 0.39 0.54
0.45 0.24 0.30 0.36 0.43 0.56
0 .5 0 0.27 0.33 0.40 0.47 0.57
0.55 0.29 0.37 0.43 0.50 0.59
0.60 0.32 0.40 0.46 0.53 0.60
0.35 0.43 0.49 0.55 0.61
Site-Specific Ground Motion Procedure Required - ASCE 7 - Chapter 21

0.65
0.70 0.37 0.47 0.52 0.58 0.61
0 .7 5 0.40 0.50 0.55 0.60 0.60
0.80 0.43 0.53 0.58 0.63 0.61
0.85 0.45 0.57 0.60 0.66 0.61
0.90 0.48 0.60 0.62 0.68 0.61
0.95 0.51 0.63 0.65 0.71 0.61
1 .0 0 0.53 0.67 0.67 0.73 0.60
1.05 0.56 0.70 0.70 0.76 0.63
1.10 0.59 0.73 0.73 0.78 0.66
1.15 0.61 0.77 0.77 0.80 0.69
1.20 0.64 0.80 0.80 0.82 0.72
1 .2 5 0.67 0.83 0.83 0.83 0.75
1.30 0.69 0.87 0.87 0.87 0.78
1.35 0.72 0.90 0.90 0.90 0.81
1.40 0.75 0.93 0.93 0.93 0.84
1.45 0.77 0.97 0.97 0.97 0.87
1 .5 0 0.80 1.00 1.00 1.00 0.90
1.55 0.83 1.03 1.03 1.03 0.93
1.60 0.85 1.07 1.07 1.07 0.96
1.65 0.88 1.10 1.10 1.10 0.99
1.70 0.91 1.13 1.13 1.13 1.02
1 .7 5 0.93 1.17 1.17 1.17 1.05
1.80 0.96 1.20 1.20 1.20 1.08
1.85 0.99 1.23 1.23 1.23 1.11
1.90 1.01 1.27 1.27 1.27 1.14
2 .0 0 1.07 1.33 1.33 1.33 1.20
2.10 1.12 1.40 1.40 1.40 1.26
2.20 1.17 1.47 1.47 1.47 1.32
2.30 1.23 1.53 1.53 1.53 1.38
2.40 1.28 1.60 1.60 1.60 1.44
2 .5 0 1.33 1.67 1.67 1.67 1.50
2.60 1.39 1.73 1.73 1.73 1.56
2.70 1.44 1.80 1.80 1.80 1.62
2.80 1.49 1.87 1.87 1.87 1.68
2.90 1.55 1.93 1.93 1.93 1.74
3 .0 0 1.60 2.00 2.00 2.00 1.80

Seism ic Design Review Workbook Ch a pt e r 3 – Ge n e r a l Pr ovision s & Se ism ic D e sign Cr it e r ia
Use of an importance factor greater than one is intended to provide for a lower inelastic demand on a
structure which should result in lower levels of structural and nonstructural damage.
*Occupancy Category III and IV structures assigned to SDC = D, E or F will require Structural
Observation per IBC §1710.
Se ism ic D e sign Ca t e gor y A ASCE 7 - § 1 1 .7

Structures may be assigned to Seismic Design Category A (i.e., SDC = A) under any of the following two
conditions:
1. SS ≤ 0.15 and S1 ≤ 0.04 … per IBC §1613.5.1, OR
2. SDS < 0.167 and SD1 < 0.067 … per IBC Tables 1613.5.6(1) & 1613.5.6(2)
Structures assigned to SDC = A need only comply with the requirements of ASCE 7 – §11.7 (i.e., not
ASCE 7 – Chapter 12).
La t e r a l For ce s ASCE 7 – § 1 1 .7 .2
Each structure shall be analyzed for the effects of static lateral forces applied independently in each of
two orthogonal directions.
 Ba se Sh e a r , V
The seismic base shear, in each direction, shall be determined in accordance with the following:
V  0.01  W
where:
W = the total dead load of the structure (D)
 Ve r t ica l D ist r ibu t ion of La t e r a l For ce , F x
In each direction, the static lateral forces at all levels shall be applied simultaneously. The force at
each level shall be determined as follows:
Fx  0.01 wx ASCE 7 (11.7-1)
where:
Fx = the design lateral force applied at Level x, and
wx = the portion of the total dead load of the structure (D) located or assigned to Level x
 D ia ph r a gm D e sign For ce , F px
Floor and roof diaphragms shall be designed to resist design seismic forces in accordance with the
following:
Fpx  0.01  w px
where:
wpx = dead load weight of the diaphragm and the elements tributary there to at Level x
NOTE: See Chapter 8 (p. 1-95 to 1-97) – Diaphragm Design.
Loa d Pa t h Con ne ct ions ASCE 7 – § 1 1 .7 .3

All parts of the structure … shall be interconnected to form a continuous load path to the seismic-force-
resisting system (SFRS).

Seism ic Design Review Workbook Ch a pt e r 4 – Se ism ic D e sign Re qu ir e m e n t s for Bu ildin g St r u ct u r e s
 M om e n t - r e sist in g fr a m e s (e.g., SMF, STMF, IMF, OMF) provide resistance to lateral loads
primarily by flexural (bending) action of members (e.g., beams, columns).
D . D u a l Syst e m - Structural system that is essentially a combination of a Building Frame System

(e.g., shear walls, CBF’s, EBF’s) and a Moment-Resisting Frame System (e.g., SMF’s or IMF’s)
oriented to resist lateral loads in the same direction.
Per ASCE 7 – §12.2.5.1, the total seismic force resistance is to be provided by the combination of the
moment-resisting frames and the shear walls (or braced frames) in proportion to their rigidities.
Furthermore, the moment-resisting frames shall be designed to independently resist at least 25 percent of
the design seismic forces.
Figur e 4 .2 – D ua l Syst e m Ex a m ple
Bu ilding A - Not a Dual Syst em Bu ilding B – Dual Syst em ( N- S axis)
E. Sh e a r W a ll- Fr a m e I n t e r a ct ive Syst e m - a structural system that uses combinations of

ordinary reinforced concrete shear walls and ordinary reinforced concrete moment frames (OMF’s).
Per ASCE 7 – Table 12.2-1.
This type of system is not permitted (i.e., NP) in Seismic Design Categories C, D, E or F.
F. Ca n t ile ve r e d Colu m n Syst e m - Structural system relying on cantilever column elements for
lateral resistance – see Figure 4.3.
G. St e e l Syst e m s N ot Spe cifica lly D e t a ile d for Se ism ic Re sist a n ce - excluding
cantilever column systems - per ASCE 7 – Table 12.2-1.
This type of system is not permitted (i.e., NP) in Seismic Design Categories D, E or F.
NOTE: The structural framing system shall also comply with the system specific requirements found in
ASCE 7 – §12.2.5 (i.e., ASCE 7 – §12.2.5.1 through ASCE 7 – §12.2.5.10).

Ta ble 4 .1 – H or izon t a l St r u ct u r a l I r r e gu la r it ie s ( Ref. 12 / ASCE 7 – Table 12.3- 1)

I r r e gu la r it y Type & D e scr ipt ion Ex a m ple
1 a . Tor sion a l I r r e gu la r it y (rigid or semi-rigid diaphragms only)
Defined to exist when the maximum story drift (including accidental torsion)
at one end of the structure transverse to an axis is more than 1.2 times the
average story drift of the two ends of the structure.
 Applies to SDC = B, C, D, E & F
1 d. Ex t r e m e Tor sion a l I r r e gula r it y (rigid or semi-rigid diaphragms only)
Defined to exist when the maximum story drift (including accidental torsion)
at one end of the structure transverse to an axis is more than 1.4 times the
average story drift of the two ends of the structure.
2 . Re e n t r a n t Cor n e r I r r e gu la r it y
Defined to exist where both plan projections of the structure beyond a
reentrant corner are greater than 15% of the plan dimension of the structure in
the given direction.
 Applies to SDC = D, E & F
3 . D ia phr a gm D iscont in u it y I r r e gu la r it y
Defined to exist where there are diaphragms with abrupt discontinuities or
variations in stiffness (including those that have cutout or open areas greater
than 50% of the gross enclosed diaphragm area) or changes in effective
diaphragm stiffness of more than 50% from one story to the next.
4 . Ou t - of- Pla n e Offse t s I r r e gu la r it y
Defined to exist where there are discontinuities in a lateral force-resistance
path (i.e., load path), such as out-of-plane offsets of the vertical elements
(e.g., shear walls, braced frames, moment frames).
5 . N onpa r a lle l Syst e m s I r r e gu la r it y

Defined to exist where there the vertical lateral force-resisting elements are
not parallel to (or symmetric about) the major orthogonal axes of the seismic-
force-resisting system (SFRS).

Ch a pt e r 4 – Se ism ic D e sign Re qu ir e m e n t s for Bu ildin g St r u ct u r e s Seism ic Design Review Workbook
Ta ble 4 .2 – Ve r t ica l St r u ct ur a l I r r e gu la r it ie s ( Ref. 12 / ASCE 7 – Table 12.3- 2)

I r r e gu la r it y Type & D e scr ipt ion Ex a m ple
1 a . St iffne ss - Soft St or y I r r e gu la r it y
Defined to exist when the story lateral stiffness is < 70% of that in the
story above or < 80% of the average story stiffness of the three stories
above.
1 b. St iffn e ss - Ex t r e m e Soft St or y I r r e gu la r it y
Defined to exist when the story lateral stiffness is < 60% of that in the
story above or < 70% of the average story stiffness of the three stories
above.
2 . W e igh t ( M a ss) I r r e gu la r it y
Defined to exist where the effective mass of any level is > 150% of the
effective mass of an adjacent level. A roof that is lighter than the floor
below need not be considered.
3 . Ve r t ica l Ge om e t r ic I r r e gu la r it y
Defined to exist where the horizontal dimension of the seismic-force-
resisting system in any story is > 130% of that in an adjacent story.
4 . I n - Pla ne D iscon t in u it y in Ve r t ica l La t e r a l For ce - Re sist in g

Ele m e n t I r r e gu la r it y
Defined to exist where an in-plane offset of the lateral force-resisting
elements is greater than the length of those elements or there exist a
reduction in stiffness of the resisting element in the story below.
5 a . D iscont in u it y in La t e r a l St r e n gt h - W e a k St or y I r r e gu la r it y
Defined to exist when the story lateral strength is < 80% of that in a story
above. The story lateral strength is the total strength of all seismic-force-
resisting elements sharing the story shear for the direction under
consideration.
5 b. D iscont in u it y in La t e r a l St r e n gt h - Ex t r e m e W e a k St or y
I r r e gu la r it y
Defined to exist when the story lateral strength is < 65% of that in a story
above.
1- 42 St even T. Hiner, MS, SE

Figur e 4 .8 – On e - St or y W a r e house
Figur e 4 .9 – Tw o- St or y W a r e hou se
St r u ct u r a l M ode lin g ASCE 7 – § 1 2 .7 .3

A mathematical model of the structure shall be constructed for the purpose of determining member forces
and structure displacements resulting from applied loads and any imposed displacements or P-Delta
effects.
The model shall include the stiffness and strength of elements that are significant to the distribution of
forces and deformations in the structure and represent the spatial distribution of mass and stiffness
throughout the structure. See ASCE 7 – §12.7.3 for additional requirements.
I n t e r a ct ion Effe ct s ASCE 7 – § 1 2 .7 .4

Moment-resisting frames that are enclosed or adjoined by elements that are more rigid and not considered
to be part of the seismic-force-resisting system (SFRS) shall be designed so that the action or failure of
those elements will not impair the vertical load and seismic-force-resisting capability of the frame.
The design shall provide for the effect of these rigid elements on the structural system at structural
deformations corresponding to the design story drift (Δ) as determined in ASCE 7 – §12.8.6. In addition,
the effects of these elements shall be considered where determining whether a structure has one or more
of the irregularities defined in ASCE 7 – §12.3.2.

4 .1 1 Ve r t ica l D ist r ibu t ion of Se ism ic For ce s

Ve r t ica l D ist r ibu t ion of Se ism ic For ce s, F x ASCE 7 – § 1 2 .8 .3
The lateral seismic force (Fx) induced at any level shall be determined from the following equations:
Fx  Cvx  V ASCE 7 (12.8-11)
wx  hxk
and
Cvx 
 wi  hik
n
ASCE 7 (12.8-12)
i 1
where:
Cvx = vertical distribution factor
k = 1  for T ≤ 0.5 second

V = seismic base shear
k = 2  for T ≥ 2.5 seconds

= 2  0.5 second < T < 2.5 seconds … or determine k by linear interpolation (1 to 2)
k  0.75  0.5  T
using the following equation:
Figur e 4 .1 3 – Ve r t ica l D ist r ibu t ion of For ce
wx  hx
 T ≤ 0.5 second – Cvx 
w h
n
i 1
i i
wx  hx2
 T ≥ 2.5 seconds – Cvx 
w h
n
2
i 1
i i
The force Fx shall be applied, at each level x, over the area of the building in accordance with the mass
distribution at that level (i.e., center of mass). Structural displacements and design seismic forces shall be
calculated as the effects of Fx forces applied at the appropriate levels above the base.

4 .1 3 P- D e lt a Effe ct s ASCE 7 – § 1 2 .8 .7
P-Delta effects occur when a structure undergoes lateral deformation, changing the position of the applied
vertical (Dead + Live) loads, causing additional (secondary) forces, moments, and displacements.
Figur e 4 .1 7 – P- D e lt a Effe ct s
M p = F h M p = F h & M s = P  1
P-Delta effects on story shears and moments, the resulting member forces and moments, and the story
drifts induced by these effects are not required to be considered where the stability coefficient (θ) as
determined by the following equation is equal to or less than 0.10 (i.e., θ ≤ 0.10):
Px   x

Vx  hsx  Cd
ASCE 7 (12.8-16)
where:
Px = the total vertical design load at (and above) Level x …
Δx = the design story drift occurring simultaneously with the story shear Vx
Vx = the seismic shear force acting between Level x and x – 1 (i.e., the story shear)
hsx = the story height below Level x
Cd = the deflection amplification factor per ASCE 7 – Table 12.2-1
The stability coefficient (θ) shall not exceed θmax determined as follows:
 max   0.25
  Cd
0.5
ASCE 7 (12.8-17)
Where β is the ratio of shear demand to shear capacity for the story between Levels x and x − 1. This
ratio is permitted to be conservatively taken as 1.0 (i.e., β = 1.0).
Where the stability coefficient (θ) is greater than 0.10 but less than or equal to θmax … the incremental
factor related to P-Delta effects on displacements and member forces shall be determined by rational
analysis. Alternatively, it is permitted to multiply displacements and member forces by 1.0/(1 − θ).
Where θ is greater than θmax … the structure is potentially unstable and shall be redesigned.
Where the P-Delta effect is included in an automated analysis … equation ASCE 7 (12.8-17) shall still be
satisfied, however, the value of θ computed from equation ASCE 7 (12.8-16) using the results of the P-
Delta analysis is permitted to be divided by (1 + θ) before checking equation ASCE 7 (12.8-17).

4 .1 4 Bu ildin g Se pa r a t ion ASCE 7 – § 1 2 .1 2 .3

When inadequate separation is provided between structures, pounding may occur during an earthquake,
which is the repeated collision of adjacent structures.
Pounding can be particularly dangerous with regard to adjacent buildings of differing heights and floor
levels that do not align vertically. The floor of one building may collide and severely damage the
vertical-load carrying columns (or walls) of the other building. The upper portion of the taller building
may even collapse on top of the shorter building and propagate to the partial or total collapse of the
shorter building.
Figur e 4 .1 8 – Ex a m ple s of Poun ding
Floor s Align e d Floor s N ot Aligne d
IBC 1613.6.7 modifies ASCE 7 – §12.12.3 to provide the requirements for the minimum distance for
building separation.
Separations shall allow for the maximum inelastic response displacement (M ), which shall be determined
at critical locations (considering both translational and torsional displacements) using the following
equation:
Cd   max
M  IBC (16-44)
I
where:
max
Cd = the deflection amplification factor per ASCE 7 – Table 12.2-1
= Maximum displacement defined in ASCE 7 – §12.8.4.3 (i.e., due to Fx forces)
I = Importance Factor per ASCE 7 – §11.5.1
Adj a ce n t Bu ildin gs on t he Sa m e Pr ope r t y, M T
Adjacent buildings on the same property shall be separated by a distance not less than MT using the
following equation:
 MT   M 1 2   M 2 2 IBC (16-45)
M1 = Maximum inelastic displacement of adjacent Structure 1

where:
M2 = Maximum inelastic displacement of adjacent Structure 2

D r ift Lim it s ASCE 7 – § 1 2 .1 4 .8 .5

Structural drift need not be calculated.
Bu ildin g Se pa r a t ion ASCE 7 – § 1 2 .1 4 .8 .5
Where a drift value is needed for use in material standards (e.g., to determine structural separations
between buildings, for design of cladding, or for other design requirements) … it shall be taken as 1% of
building height unless computed to be less.
Therefore,  x  0.01  hx … and
 x  0.01  hsx
where:
hx = the height above the base to Level x
hsx = the story height below Level x
All portions of the structure shall be designed to act as an integral unit in resisting seismic forces unless
separated structurally by a distance sufficient to avoid damaging contact (i.e., pounding) under the total
deflection.
Spe cific Re qu ir e m e n t s & Re fe r e n ce s
Ta ble 4 .3 – Sim plifie d D e sign Pr oce du r e
I tem Se ct ion Re fe r e n ce
General ASCE 7 – §12.14.1
Design Basis ASCE 7 – §12.14.2
Seismic Load Effects and Combinations ASCE 7 – §12.14.3
Seismic-Force-Resisting System ASCE 7 – §12.14.4
Combinations of Framing Systems ASCE 7 – §12.14.4.2
Horizontal Combinations ASCE 7 – §12.14.4.2.1
Vertical Combinations ASCE 7 – §12.14.4.2.2
Combination Framing Detailing Requirements ASCE 7 – §12.14.4.3
Diaphragm Flexibility ASCE 7 – §12.14.5
Application of Loading ASCE 7 – §12.14.6
Design and Detailing Requirements ASCE 7 – §12.14.7
Collector Elements ASCE 7 – §12.14.7.3
Diaphragms ASCE 7 – §12.14.7.4
Anchorage of Concrete or Masonry Structural Walls ASCE 7 – §12.14.7.5
Transfer of Anchorage Forces into Diaphragms ASCE 7 – §12.14.7.5.1
Wood Diaphragms ASCE 7 – §12.14.7.5.2
Metal Deck Diaphragms ASCE 7 – §12.14.7.5.3
Embedded Straps ASCE 7 – §12.14.7.5.4
Bearing Walls and Shear Walls ASCE 7 – §12.14.7.6
Anchorage of Nonstructural Systems ASCE 7 – §12.14.7.7
Simplified Lateral Force Analysis Procedure ASCE 7 – §12.14.8

Chapter 5 – Earthquake Loads and Load Combinations Seism ic Design Review Workbook
Horizontal Seismic Load Effect with Overstrength Factor, Em h ASCE 7 – § 1 2 .4 .3 .1

The horizontal seismic load effect with overstrength factor (Emh) shall be determined in accordance with
the following:
 E mh    0  QE ASCE 7 (12.4-7)
where:
QE = effects of horizontal seismic forces from the seismic base shear V (per ASCE 7 –
§12.8.1) or the seismic lateral force Fp (per ASCE 7 – §13.3.1). See ASCE 7 – §12.5.3
& ASCE 7 – §12.5.4 for consideration of orthogonal effects)
0 = Overstrength Factor … per ASCE 7 – Table 12.2-1 or 12.14-1
Exception: Emh need not exceed the maximum force that can develop in the element as
determined by … see ASCE 7 – §12.4.3.1
5.2 Load Combinations I BC § 1 6 0 5
General I BC § 1 6 0 5 .1
Buildings (and other structures) and portions thereof shall be designed to resist the load combinations
specified in:
 IBC §1605.2 (Strength Design or Load & Resistance Factor Design – SD/LRFD) or
 IBC §1605.3 (Allowable Stress Design – ASD), and
 IBC Chapters 18 through 23, and
 The load combinations with overstrength factor (0) specified in ASCE 7 – §12.3.4.2 where
require by ASCE 7 – §12.2.5.2, §12.3.3.3 and/or ASCE 7 – §12.10.2.1
overstrength factor of ASCE 7 – §12.14.3.2 shall be used (i.e., 0 = 2.5 assumed).

NOTE: When using the Simplified Procedure of ASCE 7 – §12.14, the load combinations with
Load combinations are a way of considering the maximum (or minimum) forces on a structural element
using principles of superposition.
The load combinations consider combined effects of gravity loads (e.g., dead load, floor live load, roof
live load, rain load, snow load) and other load effects as a result of earthquake, wind, flood, earth
pressure, fluid pressure, etc.
Notations –
D = dead load
E = seismic (i.e., earthquake) load effect
Em = maximum seismic load effect of horizontal and vertical seismic forces per ASCE 7 –
§12.4.3
F = load due to fluids with well-defined pressures and maximum heights
Fa = flood load
H = load due to earth pressure, ground water pressure or pressure of bulk materials
L = live load (except roof live load) … including any permitted live load reduction
Lr = roof live load … including any permitted live load reduction
R = rain load
Ch a pt e r 5 – Ea r t h qu a k e Loa ds a n d Loa d Com bin a t ion s Seism ic Design Review Workbook
NOTE: Increases in allowable stresses (specified in the appropriate material chapter or the referenced
standards) shall not be used with the Basic (ASD) Load Combinations above … except a duration of load
increase shall be permitted in accordance with IBC Chapter 23 (i.e., Wood - CD = 1.6 for “short-term”
earthquake (or wind) loading).
 Alt e r n a t ive Ba sic ( ASD ) Loa d Com bin a t ion s* I BC § 1 6 0 5 .3 .2

In lieu of the Basic (ASD) Load Combination equations of IBC §1605.3.1 … structures and portions
thereof shall be permitted to be designed for the most critical effects resulting from the equations of IBC
§1605.3.2.
There are a total of six Alternative Basic (ASD) Load Combination equations in the IBC. Only the two
which include the earthquake load (E) are noted below:
 D  L  S  E / 1 .4 IBC (16-20)
or … (1.0  0.14 S DS ) D  L  S    QE / 1.4
 0 .9 D  E / 1 .4 IBC (16-21)
or … (0.9  0.14S DS ) D    QE / 1.4
Exceptions: see IBC §1605.3.2 for exceptions to crane hook loads, to flat roof snow loads ≤ 30 psf,
and to flat roof snow loads > 30 psf.
NOTE: Increases in allowable stresses (specified in the appropriate material chapter or the referenced
standards) are permitted with the Alternative Basic (ASD) Load Combinations above.
See IBC §1605.3.2 for requirements and conditions when considering wind loads (W) and/or foundations
for loadings considering vertical seismic load effects (i.e., Ev = 0, etc.).
*The Alternative Basic (ASD) Load Combinations exist in the IBC, but do not exist in ASCE 7.
Loa d Com bin a t ion s w it h Ove r st r e n gt h Fa ct or ASCE 7 – § 1 2 .4 .3 .2

Where the seismic load effect with overstrength (Em) is combined with the effects of other loads … the
following seismic load combinations (for structures not subject to flood or atmospheric ice loads) shall be
shall be used in lieu of the seismic load combinations of IBC §1605.2 or IBC §1605.3.
 Ba sic ( SD or LRFD ) Loa d Com bin a t ion s w it h Ove r st r e n gt h Fa ct or
 (1.2  0.2 S DS ) D  0  QE  L  0.2 S
 (0.9  0.2 S DS ) D  0  QE  1.6 H
NOTE: See ASCE 7 – §12.4.3.2 - Note 1 & 2 for exceptions and requirements on the equations above.
 Ba sic ( ASD ) Loa d Com bin a t ion s w it h Ove r st r e n gt h Fa ct or

 (1.0  0.14 S DS ) D  H  F  0.70  QE
 (1.0 + 0.105SDS)D + H + F + 0.5250·QE + 0.75L + 0.75(Lr or S or R)

 (0.6  0.14 S DS ) D  0.70  QE  H
Exceptions: see IBC §1605.3.1 for exceptions to crane hook loads and flat roof snow loads ≤ 30 psf.

Ch a pt e r 6 – Se ism ic D e sign Re qu ir e m e n t s for N on st r u ct u r a l Com pon e n t s Seism ic Design Review Workbook
But wood members are very weak at resisting tension stresses applied perpendicular to the grain of the
wood member (i.e., transverse to the length of the wood member).
Cross-grain tension refers to tension forces that result in tension stresses applied perpendicular to the
grain of the wood member.
Cross-grain bending refers to bending moments that result in flexural tension stresses applied
perpendicular to the grain of the wood member.
Figure 6.7a below demonstrates an unacceptable condition, since there is no positive direct connection of
the structural wall to the wood diaphragm. The wall anchorage load path would be as follows:
1. The wood ledger anchor bolts will resist the wall anchorage force in tension,
2. The anchor bolt nut & washer will transfer the anchorage force to the middle of the ledger
through bearing on the face of the wood ledger,
3. The roof sheathing nailing at the top of the ledger will attempt to transfer the wall anchorage
force (in shear) into the main roof diaphragm.
Since the applied force at the middle of the ledger is eccentric to the resisting force at the top of the
ledger, a bending moment will result in flexural tension stresses applied perpendicular to the grain of the
wood ledger … or cross-grain bending which is not allowed per ASCE 7 - §12.11.2.2.3.
Figure 6.7b below demonstrates an acceptable condition using purlin anchors to provide a positive direct
connection of the wall to the roof framing members (i.e., not relying on cross-grain bending).
Figur e 6 .7 – CM U Pa r a pe t W a ll An chor a ge t o W ood D ia ph r a gm
a . N ot Acce pt a ble b. Acce pt a ble
Figure 6.8 provides some examples of purlin anchors that might be used for masonry or concrete parapet
wall anchorage to wood framed roofs. Again, the “DF/SP Allowable Loads” noted would be for Douglas-
Fir (or Southern Pine) framing members. And since “allowable loads” are noted, the ASD load
combinations of IBC §1605.3.1 or §1605.3.2 would apply … resulting in a calculated reduction of the
strength design (SD) anchorage force by multiplying by 0.7 (or dividing by 1.4) to convert to an allowable
stress design (ASD) anchorage force. BUT, being a steel element, the steel purlin anchor will require a
1.4 increase in the anchorage force (i.e., RT = (0.7)·1.4·Fp for ASD anchorage force of steel purlin
anchors) per ASCE 7 – §12.11.2.2.2.

Chapter 7 – Seismic Design Requirements for Nonbuilding Structures Seism ic Design Review Workbook
Structural Analysis Procedure ASCE 7 – § 1 5 .1 .3

 Nonbuilding Structures Similar to Buildings - structural analysis procedures shall be selected in
accordance with ASCE 7 – §12.6.
 Nonbuilding Structures NOT Similar to Buildings - structural analysis procedure shall be one
of the following:
1. equivalent lateral force (ELF) procedure in accordance with ASCE 7 – §12.8,
2. modal analysis procedure in accordance with ASCE 7 – §12.9,
3. linear response history analysis procedure in accordance with ASCE 7 – §16.1,
4. nonlinear response history analysis procedure in accordance with ASCE 7 – §16.2, or
5. procedure prescribed in the specific reference document
Nonbuilding Structures Supported by Other Structures ASCE 7 – § 1 5 .3

Where nonbuilding structures NOT similar to buildings (i.e., identified in ASCE 7 – Table 15.4-2) are
supported by other structures, and the nonbuilding structures are not part of the primary seismic-force-
resisting system (SFRS), one of the following methods shall be used:
 < 25% Combined Weight Condition ASCE 7 – § 1 5 .3 .1
Where the weight of the nonbuilding structure is less than 25 percent of the combined weight of the
nonbuilding structure and supporting structure (i.e., Wp < 25%·W ) … the design seismic forces of the
nonbuilding structure shall be determined in accordance with ASCE 7 – Chapter 13 (i.e., as a
nonstructural component) where the values of Rp and ap shall be determined per ASCE 7 – §13.1.5.
The supporting structure shall be designed in accordance with the requirements of ASCE 7 – Chapter
12 or ASCE 7 – §15.5 as appropriate with the weight of the nonbuilding structure considered in the
determination of the effective seismic weight (i.e., Wp included in W ).
 ≥ 25% Combined Weight Condition ASCE 7 – § 1 5 .3 .2
Where the weight of the nonbuilding structure is equal to or greater than 25 percent of the combined
weight of the nonbuilding structure and supporting structure (i.e., Wp ≥ 25%·W ) … an analysis
combining the structural characteristics of both the nonbuilding structure and the supporting structures
shall be performed per ASCE 7 – §15.3.2, items 1 & 2.
Architectural, Mechanical & Electrical Components ASCE 7 – § 1 5 .3 .3

Architectural, mechanical, and electrical components supported by nonbuilding structures shall be
designed as nonstructural components per ASCE 7 – Chapter 13.
7.2 Structural Design Requirements ASCE 7 – § 1 5 .4
Design Basis ASCE 7 – § 1 5 .4 .1

Nonbuilding structures having specific seismic design criteria established in reference documents (i.e.,
noted in ASCE 7 – Chapter 23) shall be designed using the appropriate design standards as amended by
ASCE 7 – Chapter 15.
Where reference documents are not cited … nonbuilding structures shall be designed in compliance with
ASCE 7 – §15.5 (i.e., nonbuilding structures similar to buildings) and ASCE 7 – §15.6 (i.e., nonbuilding
structures NOT similar to buildings) to resist minimum seismic lateral forces that are not less than the
requirements of ASCE 7 – §12.8 with the additions and exceptions of ASCE 7 – §15.4.1, items 1 to 9.

Seism ic Design Review Workbook Ch a pt e r 7 – Se ism ic D e sign Re qu ir e m e n t s for N on bu ildin g St r u ct u r e s
I m por t a n ce Fa ct or , I ASCE 7 – § 1 5 .4 .1 .1
The Importance Factor (I ) and Occupancy Category for nonbuilding structures are based on the relative
hazard of the contents and the function of the nonbuilding structure.
The Occupancy Category for a nonbuilding structure is determined from IBC Table 1604.5.
The Importance Factor (I ) shall be the largest value determined by the following:
1. Applicable reference document listed in ASCE 7 – Chapter 23,
2. The largest value as selected from ASCE 7 – Table 11.5-1, or
3. As specified elsewhere in ASCE 7 – Chapter 15.
Effe ct ive Se ism ic W e igh t , W ASCE 7 – § 1 5 .4 .3

The effective seismic weight, or operating weight, (W) shall include:
 All dead loads (D) as defined for buildings per ASCE 7 – §12.7.2, and
 All normal operating contents (e.g., tanks, vessels, bins, hoppers, and piping)
The effective seismic weight (W) shall include snow and ice loads where these loads constitute ≥ 25%·W
… or where required by the building official (based on local environmental characteristics).
Fu n da m e n t a l Pe r iod, T ASCE 7 – § 1 5 .4 .4
The fundamental period of the nonbuilding structure (T) shall be established using the structural
properties and deformational characteristics of the resisting elements in a properly substantiated analysis
as per ASCE 7 – §12.8.2.
Alternatively, the fundamental period may be determined using the following equation:
w   i2
n
T  2 i 1
i
g   f i  i
n
ASCE 7 (15.4-6)
i 1
where:
wi = effective seismic weight of Level i
fi = lateral force at Level i
δi = elastic deflection at Level i, relative to the base
g = acceleration due to gravity (32.2 ft/sec2 or 386.4 in/sec2)
For a single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) nonbuilding structure, this equation becomes:
T  2
W
Kg
where:
W = effective seismic weight (i.e., operating weight)
K = stiffness of the nonbuilding structure
g = acceleration due to gravity (32.2 ft/sec2 or 386.4 in/sec2)
NOTE: The approximate fundamental period (Ta) of ASCE 7 – §12.8.2.1 is not permitted to be used for
nonbuilding structures.

Seism ic Design Review Workbook Ch a pt e r 7 – Se ism ic D e sign Re qu ir e m e n t s for N on bu ildin g St r u ct u r e s
Spe cific Re qu ir e m e n t s & Re fe r e n ce s

Ta ble 7 .4 – Ta n k s a nd Ve sse ls
I tem Se ct ion Re fe r e n ce
Design Basis ASCE 7 – §15.7.2
Strength and Ductility ASCE 7 – §15.7.3
Flexibility of Piping Attachments ASCE 7 – §15.7.4
Anchorage ASCE 7 – §15.7.5
Ground-Supported Storage Tanks for Liquids ASCE 7 – §15.7.6
Water Storage and Water Treatment Tanks & Vessels ASCE 7 – §15.7.7
Petrochemical and Industrial Tanks & Vessels Storing Liquids ASCE 7 – §15.7.8
Ground-Supported Storage Tanks for Granular Materials ASCE 7 – §15.7.9
Elevated Tanks & Vessels for Liquid and Granular Materials ASCE 7 – §15.7.10
Boilers and Pressure Vessels ASCE 7 – §15.7.11
Liquid and Gas Spheres ASCE 7 – §15.7.12
Refrigerated Gas Liquid Storage Tanks & Vessels ASCE 7 – §15.7.13
Saddle Supported Vessels for Liquid or Vapor Storage ASCE 7 – §15.7.14

Ch a pt e r 8 – D ia ph r a gm D e sign & W a ll Rigidit y Seism ic Design Review Workbook
NOTE: The Redundancy Factor is permitted to be equal to 1.0 (i.e.,  = 1.0) when considering tributary
inertial forces to the diaphragm … per ASCE 7 – §12.3.4.1, item 7.
Figure 8.2 demonstrates the load path for the diaphragm loading of a single story structure. The wall(s)
perpendicular to the load direction (i.e., normal walls) are assumed to span from the foundation to the
diaphragm level where one-half of the normal wall force is typically assumed to be transferred to the
diaphragm (i.e., FN / 2). The diaphragm itself has weight and will experience inertial forces due to the
effective seismic weight of the diaphragm (i.e., FD). All loads on the diaphragm will need to be resisted
by the vertical lateral-force-resisting elements parallel to the load direction, in this case, shown at the left
and right perimeter edges of the diaphragm (moment frame on left, shear wall on right).
Figur e 8 .2 – D ia ph r a gm Loa d Pa t h

Seism ic Design Review Workbook Ch a pt e r 8 – D ia ph r a gm D esign & W a ll Rigidit y
Figure 8.8 below demonstrates the comparison that is often made between the analysis of a uniformly
loaded flexible diaphragm (on the left) and a uniformly loaded simply supported beam (on the right). For
the design of flexible diaphragms, the shear diagram can be used to determine the maximum unit shear at
the end supports (e.g., shear walls). The moment diagram can be used to determine the maximum chord
force, or the chord force at a specific point on the chord boundary member (see p. 1-103).
Figur e 8 .8 – Fle x ible D ia ph r a gm Loa din g ( Ref. 17)

Ch a pt e r 8 – D ia ph r a gm D e sign & W a ll Rigidit y Seism ic Design Review Workbook
Figur e 8 .1 3 – Ca nt ile ve r Sh e a r W a ll Re la t ive Rigidit y
 R1   R2 
V1  F   V2  F  
 R1  R2   R1  R2 
Fix e d Sh e a r W a ll – Deflect ion

Figur e 8 .1 4 – Fix e d Sh e a r W a ll / Pie r
 Total   Flexure   Shear
F  H 3 1.2 F  H
F  
12 EI AG
where:
F = force at top of wall
H = height of wall to force, F
E = modulus of elasticity
G = shear modulus
A = area = t·D
I = moment of inertia = t·D3/12
Sh e a r W a ll w it h Ope n in gs
M e t h od A: Most Simple Figur e 8 .1 5 – W a ll Pie r Ele va t ion
Use this method to determine the force to
a particular pier when the lateral force (F)
to the total wall is known, such as for a
flexible diaphragm building.
Determine the "Fixed" Rigidity (RF) of each of the individual piers using their respective H/D ratios and
Table D2 - Relative Rigidity of Fixed Shear Walls / Piers (Appendix D, p. 5-19).
 
Force to Pier 1, F1  F  
RF1
 RF1  RF 2  RF 3  RF 4 
th
M e t h od B: More Tedious (see Ref. 9 – Lindeburg, 9 edition, Section 7-5, p. 110). Use this method
when the total wall rigidity is needed for use in determining the lateral force to the wall, such as for rigid
diaphragm buildings (e.g., center of rigidity, torsion).

Seism ic Design Review Workbook Chapter 8 – Diaphragm Design & Wall Rigidity
Torsion: (X-Direction)
Figure 8.17 – Rigid Diaphragm with Torsion ( X- Direct ion)
e y1 = calc. e y + 0.05∙Ly e y2 = calc. e y – 0.05∙Ly
Inherent Torsional Moment - Mt = Vx·ey
Accidental Eccentricity - ey =  0.05Ly
Design ey1 = calc. ey + 0.05Ly

Design ey2 = calc. ey – 0.05Ly
Accidental Torsional Moment - Mta = Vx·( 0.05Ly)
Design Torsional Moments -
MT1 = Mt + Mta = Vx·(ey + 0.05Ly)

MT2 = Mt – Mta = Vx·(ey – 0.05Ly)
Total Force to a Resisting Element, F

F = Direct Shear + Torsional Shear
M Rd
F  VX 
 RX  R  d 2
 T
RX
 Rd
Where:
2
 R A  d A2 R B  d B2  RC  d C2  R D  d D2
NOTE: By observation of Figure 8.17, the following can be concluded –

 MT1 and MT2 are equal but opposite in sign (i.e., calculated ey = 0)
 Torsional shears from MT1 are equal but opposite in sign to the torsional shears from MT2
 ey1 will govern the design of shear wall C (i.e., maximum additive torsional shear)
 ey2 will govern the design of shear wall D (i.e., maximum additive torsional shear)
 Neither eccentricity will govern the design of shear walls A & B since the force direction is not
parallel to these shear walls (i.e., no direct shear)

Seism ic Design Review Workbook Ch a pt e r 9 – I BC Ch a pt e r 2 3 – W ood
Ch a pt e r 9
I BC Ch a pt e r 2 3 – W ood
9 .1 Ge n e r a l I BC § 2 3 0 1
Scope I BC § 2 3 0 1 .1
The provisions of IBC Chapter 23 shall govern the materials, design, construction and quality of wood
members and their fasteners.
Ge n e r a l D e sign Re qu ir e m e n t s I BC § 2 3 0 1 .2
The design of structural elements or systems constructed partially or wholly of wood or wood-based
products, shall be in accordance with one of the following methods:
 Allowable Stress Design (ASD) – per IBC §2304, §2305 and §2306
 Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) – per IBC §2304, §2305 and §2307
 Conventional Light-Frame Construction – per IBC §2304 and §2308
Exception: Buildings designed in accordance with the provisions of the AF&PA Wood
Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) shall be deemed to meet the requirements of the
provisions of IBC §2308
 ICC 400 – for design and construction of log structures
9 .2 La t e r a l- For ce - Re sist in g Syst e m s I BC § 2 3 0 5
Ge n e r a l I BC § 2 3 0 5 .1
Structures using wood shear walls and wood diaphragms to resist wind, seismic and other lateral loads
shall be designed and constructed in accordance with AF&PA Special Design Provisions for Wind and
Seismic (SDPWS) and the provisions of IBC §2305 (General), §2306 (ASD), and §2307 (LRFD).
D e sign Re qu ir e m e n t s SD PW S § 4 .1 .1
A continuous load path (or paths) with adequate strength and stiffness shall be provided to transfer all
forces from their point of application to the final point of resistance.
Bou n da r y Ele m e n t s SD PW S § 4 .1 .4
 Shear wall and diaphragm boundary elements shall be provided to transmit the design tension and
compression forces.
 Diaphragm and shear wall sheathing shall not be used to splice boundary elements.
 Diaphragm chords and collectors shall be placed in, or in contact with, the plane of the diaphragm
framing unless …
Toe - N a ile d Con n e ct ion s SD PW S § 4 .1 .7

In SDC = D, E & F – the capacity of toe-nailed connections shall not be used when calculating lateral
load resistance to transfer seismic lateral forces > 150 plf for ASD (> 205 plf for LRFD) from diaphragms
to shear walls, collectors (or other elements), or from shear walls to other elements.

WSP shear walls are permitted to resist horizontal forces using allowable shear capacities set forth in IBC
Table 2306.3.
The unit wall shear at the top of the wall (top) is determined from the total shear, or reaction, at the end of
the diaphragm.
Using the Allowable Stress Design (ASD) provisions of IBC §2306 for the design of wood structural
panel (WSP) shear walls and IBC Table 2306.3 …
The Redundancy factor () shall be considered in the design of the shear walls.
 Allow a ble St r e ss D e sign ( ASD ) –

0 .6 D  0 .7 E  H IBC (16-15)
where:
E  Eh  Ev … but Ev = 0 since there is no Dead Load effect (i.e., D = 0) that contributes to the
unit wall shear.
Therefore, E = Eh    QE    V1
 (0.7  (total shear))  (0.7  Vmax )
Unit wall shear,  top 
 b
 (units of plf)
wall width
The unit wall shear at the base of the wall (bott) also includes the seismic inertial force due to the weight
of the wall parallel to the load direction under consideration.
NOTE: When the wall weight (Ww) is not significant, not given in a problem statement, or when the
necessary to calculate bott ( i.e., use top only).

diaphragm design force (e.g., ws = fpx = Fpx/L) includes all perimeter walls of the building, it is not
0.7 V1  CS  WW 
Unit wall shear,  bottom 
b
(units of plf)
Figur e 9 .5 – W ood St r u ct u r a l Pa n e l She a r W a ll

Ch a pt e r 9 – I BC Ch a pt e r 2 3 – W ood Seism ic Design Review Workbook
Exception: Standard cut washers shall be permitted to be used where sill plate anchor bolts are
designed to resist shear only and the following are met:
a. Shear wall is designed per SDPWS §4.3.5.1 with required uplift anchorage at shear wall ends
sized to resist overturning neglecting dead load resisting moment, and
b. Shear wall aspect ratio (h/b) is ≤ 2:1, and
c. The nominal unit shear capacity of the shear wall does not exceed 980 plf for seismic (i.e., 490
plf for ASD) or 1370 plf for wind (i.e., 685 plf for ASD)
NOTE: For engineered shear walls, sill bolt size and spacing is selected to resist the calculated (ASD)
unit wall shear (per NDS Table 11E). Table 9.3 provides allowable unit shears for various sill bolt sizes
and spacing.
Ta ble 9 .3 – Sill Bolt Size a n d Spa cing

Allow a ble u n it w a ll sh e a r ( plf)
Sill bolt size Sill bolt spa cin g
2 x D .F. sill pla t e 3 x D .F. sill pla t e
4′-0″ o.c. 260 plf 310 plf
1/2″ 2′-8″ o.c. 390 plf 460 plf
1′-4″ o.c. 780 plf 920 plf
4′-0″ o.c. 370 plf 470 plf
5/8″ 2′-8″ o.c. 560 plf 710 plf
1′-4″ o.c. 1120 plf 1420 plf
9 .7 Sh e a r W a ll Ove r t u r n in g
Seismic forces can cause uplift (i.e., tension) to occur at the ends of shear walls when the overturning
moment (OTM or MO) acting on the shear wall exceeds the dead load resisting moment (RM or MR) acting
on the shear wall.
Figur e 9 .7 – She a r W a ll Ove r t u r n in g

Figur e 9 .1 4 – Sim pson St r on g- Tie ® N a il Fa st e n e r s
The allowable unit shear for horizontal diaphragms and shear walls from IBC Tables 2306.2.1(1),
2306.2.1(2) and 2306.3 are applicable to “common” wire nails (or staples) and Douglas Fir-Larch (or
Southern Pine) framing members. These table provide the actual nail dimensions of length and diameter
in addition to the nail pennyweight and type (i.e., 8d common = 2½″ x 0.131″). Other nail types and/or
species of framing members may require adjustments to the values in the tables (refer to the applicable
table footnotes).
Typically, design engineers will specify on the plans that all structural nails are to be “common” wire
nails unless noted otherwise. Quite often, “common” wire nails are not provided per the plans and
adjustments in the field may be necessary to provide the required design strength (i.e., reduce nail spacing
if smaller diameter nails are provided, etc.).
Figure 9.15 demonstrates the numbered load path for in-plane lateral (seismic or wind) forces transferred
from the roof diaphragm to the 2nd floor level (i.e., load path 1 to 5), and the joining of the in-plane lateral
forces at the 2nd floor level and transfer to the foundation at the ground level (i.e., load path 10, and 6 to
9).

 Connections shall extend into the diaphragm a sufficient distance to develop the force transferred
into the diaphragm.
 For a fle x ible w ood st r u ct u r a l pa n e l ( W SP) h or izon t a l dia ph r a gm , suppor t in g con cr e t e

or m a son r y w a lls, t he m a in hor izont a l ( r oof or floor ) dia phr a gm :
 Is designed to resist the diaphragm design force per ASCE 7 - §12.10.1.1 … i.e., Fpx equation
ASCE 7 (12.10-1)
 The Fpx force considers the weight of the main horizontal (roof or floor) diaphragm at level x
(and applicable portions of other loads per ASCE 7 - §12.7.2) and the tributary wall weights
from the walls perpendicular to the load direction
 Per SDPWS Table 4.2.4, the maximum length-to-width (i.e., span-to-depth) ratio shall be:
 3:1 max. for unblocked diaphragms
 4:1 max. for blocked diaphragms
Figur e 9 .1 6 – Con cr e t e or M a son r y Bu ilding w it h W ood St r u ct ur a l Pa n e l D ia phr a gm
 W ood st r uct u r a l pa ne l subdia phr a gm s ( su ppor t ing con cr e t e or m a son r y w a lls) :

 Are designed to resist the wall anchorage force per ASCE 7 - §12.11.2 (or ASCE 7 - §12.14.7.5
for Simplified Analysis Procedure). In other words, subdiaphragms are designed for the same
force as the purlin anchors responsible for holding the concrete or masonry walls to the
horizontal (roof or floor) diaphragm.
 The anchorage force considers only the tributary weight of the wall being anchored (i.e., only
one wall … not the tributary weight of both walls and not the weight of the diaphragm)

Ch a pt e r 9 – I BC Ch a pt e r 2 3 – W ood Seism ic Design Review Workbook
 Per ASCE 7 - §12.11.2, the minimum subdiaphragm design (anchorage) force is the larger of
the following:
 fp  0.10·Wp (plf)
 fp  400·SDS I (plf)
 fp  0.8·SDS I ·Wp (plf) … for SDC = C, D, E or F
 fp  280 plf minimum
 The maximum length-width (i.e., span to depth) ratio shall be 2.5 to 1 per ASCE 7 –
§12.11.2.2.1 … for SDC = C, D, E or F
 Continuous ties or struts are required between the main diaphragm chords per ASCE 7 –
§12.11.2.2.1
Figure 9.17 demonstrates the subdiaphragms that could be considered for the transverse (i.e., shallow)
direction of a concrete or masonry wall building with a wood framed roof. In this case there would be a
total of six subdiaphragms. Three subdiaphragms would be used to provide out-of-plane wall anchorage
for each of the upper and lower wall lines.
Figur e 9 .1 7 – Tr a n sve r se D ir e ct ion - W SP Su bdia ph r a gm s
The calculated unit shear is determined for each subdiaphragm using the appropriate subdiaphragm
uniform load (i.e., anchorage force, fp), the subdiaphragm span (L), and the subdiaphragm depth (d) …
and then the subdiaphragm sheathing thickness, panel grade, nail size, nail spacing, and blocking
requirements are determined from IBC Table 2306.2.1(1) or Table 2306.2.1(2), just as is done for the
main wood structural panel horizontal (roof or floor) diaphragm.

Ch a pt e r 1 0 – Ot h e r M a t e r ia l Ch a pt e r s Seism ic Design Review Workbook
9. Controlled low-strength material (CLSM) – IBC §1803.5.9

10. Alternate setback and clearance* – IBC §1803.5.10
11. Seismic Design Category C, D, E & F* – IBC §1803.5.11
An investigation shall be conducted and shall include an evaluation of the following potential
hazards resulting from earthquake motions:
 Slope instability
 Liquefaction
 Differential settlement slope instability
 Surface displacement due to faulting or lateral spreading
*Exception: The building official shall be permitted to waive the requirement for a geotechnical
investigation where satisfactory data from adjacent areas is available that demonstrates an investigation is
not necessary for any of the conditions in IBC §1803.5.1 through §1803.5.6, §1803.5.10, and §1803.5.11.
12. Seismic Design Category D, E & F – IBC §1803.5.12
The geotechnical investigation required by IBC §1803.5.11 shall also
include:
 Determination of lateral pressures on foundation walls and retaining walls due to
earthquake motions.
 Potential for liquefaction and soil strength loss evaluated for site peak ground
accelerations, magnitudes and source characteristics consistent with the design earthquake
ground motions …
 An assessment of potential consequences of liquefaction and soil strength loss, including
estimation of differential settlement, lateral movement, lateral loads on foundations,
reduction in foundation soil-bearing capacity, increases in lateral pressures on retaining
walls and flotation of buried structures.
 Discussion of mitigation measures such as, but not limited to, ground stabilization,
selection of appropriate foundation type and depths, selection of appropriate structural
systems to accommodate anticipated displacements and forces, or any combination of these
measures and how they shall be considered in the design of the structure.
Re por t in g I BC § 1 8 0 3 .6
Where geotechnical investigations are required, a written report of the investigations shall be submitted to
the building official by the owner or authorized agent at the time of permit application. See IBC §1803.6
for required information in the report.
Fou n da t ion s I BC § 1 8 0 8
Ge ne r a l I BC – § 1 8 0 8 .1
Foundations shall be designed and constructed in accordance with IBC §1808.2 through §1808.9.
Shallow foundations shall also satisfy the requirements of IBC §1809. Deep foundations shall also satisfy
the requirements IBC §1810.
D e sign Loa ds I BC – § 1 8 0 8 .3
Foundations shall be designed for the most unfavorable effects due to the combinations of loads specified
in IBC §1605.2 (i.e., SD/LRFD) or §1605.3 (i.e., ASD). The dead load is permitted to include the weight

Seism ic Design Review Workbook Ch a pt e r 1 2 – Or ga n iza t ion s & Code s
Ca lifor n ia Re side n t ia l Code ( CRC)

The California Residential Code (CRC) is also known as the California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title
24, Part 2.5. The 2010 CRC incorporates by reference the 2009 IRC with necessary California
amendments.
Ca lifor n ia Ex ist in g Bu ildin g Code ( CEBC)
The California Existing Building Code (CEBC) is also known as CCR, Title 24, Part 10. This code
provides minimum seismic strengthening provisions for existing unreinforced masonry (URM) bearing
wall buildings that undergo a change of use (or occupancy), alteration, or repair. Its provisions offer
alternative methods (to the IBC) of achieving life-safety so that the inventory of existing URM buildings
can be preserved.
Ca lifor n ia H ist or ica l Bu ildin g Code ( CH BC)
The California Historical Building Code (CHBC) is also known as CCR, Title 24, Part 8. The CHBC
provides alternative building regulations and building standards for the rehabilitation, preservation,
restoration, or relocation of buildings (or structures) designated as historic buildings.
SEAOC Blu e Book
Also known as the Recommended Lateral Force Requirements and Commentary. The last printed
hardcopy Blue Book (i.e., seventh edition) was published in 1999. The Blue Book summarized
recommendations of SEAOC for earthquake resistant design of building structures. Unlike the building
code in use at that time, the 1997 Uniform Building Code (UBC), the Blue Book included a commentary
portion to explain much of documents recommendations.
The 2009 Blue Book is an electronic version titled Seismic Design Recommendations of the SEAOC
Seismology Committee.
Engineers seeking commentary on the seismic provisions of ASCE 7-05 should refer to FEMA P-750,
Part 2 (i.e., 2009 NEHRP Recommended Provisions for Seismic Regulations for New Buildings and Other
Structures – Part 2).
Pe r for m a n ce Ba se d Se ism ic D e sign
The basic concepts of Performance Based Seismic Design (PBSD) are to provide engineers with the
capability to design buildings to have a more predictable and reliable performance when subjected to
earthquake ground motions, and to allow building owners (and other stakeholders) to quantify the
expected risks (financial or otherwise) to their buildings so they can select a level of performance that
meets their needs while maintaining a basic level of safety.
SEAOC Vision 2000 was a project which began to develop recommended procedures for PBSD. The
Vision 2000 procedures addressed a broad range of performance objectives that considered life-safety,
structural damage control, non-structural damage control, and maintenance of function over a range of
earthquake hazards. The performance objectives were composed of multiple goals as noted in Table 12.1.
Ta ble 1 2 .1 – Pe r for m a n ce Obj e ct ive s
Pe r for m a nce Le ve ls Pr oba bilist ic Eve nt ( ret urn int erval)

Fully operational Frequent (43 year event)
Operational Occasional (72 year event)
Life-Safety Rare (475 year event)
Near Collapse Very Rare (970 year event)

Ch a pt e r 1 2 – Or ga n iza t ion s & Code s Seism ic Design Review Workbook
While PBSD has yet to be fully developed, it is expected to be used in future building codes to provide a
methodology to more reliably predict seismic risk in all buildings in terms more useful to building owners
and building users.
Under current code seismic design provisions, there exist implied performance levels as demonstrated by
Figure 12.1. For example, Occupancy Category II (i.e., I = 1.0) structures design to ASCE 7-05
provisions are expected to meet the following performance levels:
 Collapse prevention for MCE ground motions (i.e. , ~ 2% in 50 years / 2,500 year return interval)
 Life-safety for Design ground motions (i.e., 2/3 MCE, ~ 10% in 50 years / 500 year return
interval)
 Immediate occupancy for Frequent ground motions (i.e. , ~ 50% in 50 years / 100 year return
interval)
Occupancy Category IV (i.e., I = 1.5) structures design to ASCE 7-05 provisions are expected to meet the
following performance levels:
 Life-safety for MCE ground motions (i.e. , ~ 2% in 50 years / 2,500 year return interval)
 Immediate occupancy for Design ground motions (i.e., 2/3 MCE, ~ 10% in 50 years / 500 year
return interval)
 Operational for Frequent ground motions (i.e. , ~ 50% in 50 years / 100 year return interval)
Similarly, Occupancy Category III (i.e., I = 1.25) structures designed to ASCE 7-05 provisions are
expected to meet performance levels that fall between the Occupancy Category IV and Occupancy
Category II structures as shown in Figure 12.1 below.
Figur e 1 2 .1 – Occu pa n cy Ca t e gor y vs. Gr ou nd M ot ion ( Ref. 13 - Figure C11.5- 1)

Seism ic Design Review Workbook Ch a pt e r 1 4 – Ge ot e ch n ica l I ssu e s & Life lin e s
Ch a pt e r 1 4
Ge ot e ch n ica l I ssu e s & Life lin e s
Geotechnical hazards that can result from earthquake ground motions include:
 Liquefaction-induced ground failures,
 Earthquake-induced landslides
 Surface fault rupture
1 4 .1 Liqu e fa ct ion
Liquefaction is essentially the temporary transformation of a solid material (with grain-to-grain contact)
into a fluid like material.
Earthquake ground motions can cause an increase in pore water pressure, which results in a decrease in
the soils effective stress. A reduction in effective stress corresponds to a decrease in shear strength. Since
the bearing capacity of a soil is a function of the shear strength, the bearing capacity decreases in
proportion to the reduction in shear strength. When the shear strength approaches zero, the soil may flow
like a fluid.
Earthquake induced soil liquefaction can result in:


Loss of soil bearing capacity

Soil settlement

Lateral spreading
Flow slides on soil slopes
Soils most susceptible to liquefaction are saturated, relatively cohesionless/clay-free sands and silts at or
below groundwater, and occasionally loose gravels below the water table deposited by rivers. Other
factors include soil density, gradation, confining pressure, and the geologic history of the soil deposit.
 Dense sands are less susceptible to liquefaction than loose sands.
 Well-graded sands are less susceptible to liquefaction than uniform sands (i.e., more stable
interlocking of grains).
 Sands below a depth of approximately 50 feet are less susceptible to liquefaction (i.e., due
to confining pressure).
 Geologically old sand deposits are less susceptible to liquefaction than recent sand deposits
(i.e., possibly due to previous earthquake induced settlements & densification).
Extensive damage may occur to structures supported on liquefiable soils due to the loss of bearing
capacity and large settlements. Damage might be avoided by supporting the structure on piles or drilled
piers that pass through the saturated sand layer that are supported by sound material below (i.e., bedrock).
Regardless, liquefaction may still result in settlement of the saturated sand layer below the structure.
Even without the presence of structures on liquefiable soils, lateral spreading alone can cause extensive
damage to roadways and pipelines (above or below ground).

Seism ic Design Review Workbook Ch a pt e r 1 5 – Pr ofe ssion a l En gin e e r s Act
Ch a pt e r 1 5
Pr ofe ssion a l En gin e e r s Act
Business and Professions Code - Division 3, Chapter 7
There are three categories of professional engineering registration available in California through the
Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists (PELSG):
1. Practice Acts
2. Title Acts
3. Title Authorities
1 5 .1 Pr a ct ice Act s B & P §6704

 Civil Engineering
 Electrical Engineering
 Mechanical Engineering
Practice act means that only a person licensed by the Board may practice or offer to practice these
branches of engineering, unless specifically exempt (e.g., licensed architects).
Only a person appropriately licensed may use the title Civil (including Structural & Geotechnical),
Electrical or Mechanical Engineer.
Per B & P §6706.3 – any reference in any law or regulation to a registered engineer, or to a registered
civil, electrical, or mechanical engineer, is deemed to refer to a licensed engineer, or to a licensed civil,
electrical, or mechanical engineer, as the case may be.
1 5 .2 Tit le Act s B & P §6732

The title acts are Agricultural, Chemical, Control System, Fire Protection, Industrial, Manufacturing,
Nuclear, Petroleum, and Traffic engineering. The Board no longer regulates the titles of Corrosion,
Metallurgical, Quality, and Safety engineering.
Title act means that only a person registered by the Board in that branch of engineering may use the title
in any manner. Any person may practice in the title discipline provided the title is not used, but any
engineer who is registered in a title act may not practice or offer to practice anything which falls under the
definition of civil, electrical, or mechanical engineering.
1 5 .3 Tit le Au t h or it ie s B & P §6736

Authorities exist for two specialized areas of civil engineering:
 Structural engineering
 Geotechnical engineering
An authority indicates a proficiency in that field above that which is required for civil engineering
registration. Any registered Civil Engineer may practice structural engineering or geotechnical
engineering except in those areas specifically restricted. Therefore, only the use of the title is
restricted. The titles Geotechnical Engineer and Soil or Soils Engineer have equal protection.

Seism ic Design Review Workbook Ch a pt e r 1 5 – Pr ofe ssion a l En gin e e r s Act
2. Licensed Architects practicing architecture as defined in the Architects Act

Re spon sible Ch a r ge B & P §6703
Responsible charge (of work) means the independent control and direction, by the use of initiative, skill,
and independent judgment, of the investigation or design of professional engineering work or the direct
engineering control of such projects. The phrase does not refer to the concept of financial liability.
The span of control necessary to be in responsible charge shall be such that the engineer:
 Personally makes engineering decisions, or reviews and approves decisions prior to their

implementation …
Judges the qualifications of technical specialist and the validity and applicability of their
recommendations before they are incorporated into the work.
A subordinate is any person who assists a registered professional engineer in the practice of professional
engineering without assuming responsible charge of work … per B & P §6705.
Pr a ct ice w it h in Ar e a of Com pe t e n ce CCR § 4 1 5

A registered professional engineer shall practice and perform engineering only in the field (or fields) in
which she/he is by education and/or experience fully competent and proficient.
Some of the most common disciplinary actions by the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land
Surveyors, and Geologists (PELSG) are brought against registered Civil Engineers who are found to have
practiced outside their area of competence. Usually these cases involve a Civil Engineer who performs
the structural design of a “non exempt” single-family dwelling, where the engineer has little or no
structural design experience.
Civil Engineering registration alone does not indicate proficiency in all areas of civil engineering. In
most cases, the general public does not understand that civil engineering is an extremely broad field.
1 5 .5 Post - Ea r t h qu a k e Sa fe t y Eva lu a t ion B & P §6706

The California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) manages the Safety Assessment Program
(SAP), which provides professional resources to local governments, assisting them with the safety
evaluation of buildings and infrastructure in the aftermath of a disastrous event. The SAP goal is to help
local government perform accurate facility safety assessments as quickly as possible. SAP has been
successful in this endeavor in response to significant California earthquakes including Loma Prieta
(1989), Big Bear-Landers (1992), Northridge (1994), Napa (2000), and San Simeon (2003).
Private sector volunteers and local/state mutual aid resources are utilized to provide professional
engineers, architects, geologists, and certified building inspectors to assist local governments in safety
evaluation of their built environment in an aftermath of a disaster. The professional organizations that
cooperate with Cal EMA in the SAP program are:
 Structural Engineers Association of California (SEAOC)
 American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
 American Institute of Architects (AIA)
 California Building Officials (CALBO)
 American Construction Inspectors Association (ACIA)

Pa r t 2 – Ex a m ple Pr oble m s Seism ic Design Review Workbook
Solu t ion :
A.) N - S D I RECTI ON : L = 100′, d = 40′, CASE 3

L/d = 100′/40′ = 2.5:1 < 3:1 max. per SDPWS Table 4.2.4 (see Table 9.1, p. 1-118) for an unblocked
diaphragm → OK
1 . Unit Roof She a r on line s A & B, r
VA = VB = wsL / 2 = (300 plf)(100′/2) = 15,000 lbs
roof A = B = 0.7·VA / d = 0.7 (15,000 lbs) / 40’ = 262 plfi
(SD/LRFD force level)
(ASD force level)
2 . Roof D ia ph r a gm N a ilin g
roof A = 262 plf  IBC Table 2306.2.1(1) 
allowable unit diaphragm shear = 180 plf < 262 plf  NG!
15/32” WSP sheathing w/ 8d common (2½″ x 0.131″) @ 6” o.c. edges, unblocked (CASE 3)
Blocked (CASE 3) allowable unit diaphragm shear = 270 plf > 262 plf  OK
Use 15/32″ WSP sheathing w/ 8d common @ 6” o.c. boundary and edge nailing, 12” o.c. field nailing.
NOTE: Blocking of the roof diaphragm may be terminated when the calculated unit roof shear drops
below the allowable unit shear for an unblocked diaphragm (e.g., 180 plf). This occurs approximately
15.6′ from lines A & B.
3 . M a x im um Ch or d For ce on lin e s 1 & 2 , CF

max. M = wsL2 / 8 = (300 plf)(100′)2 / 8 = 375,000 lb-ft (SD/LRFD force level)
max. CF = 0.7·M / d = 0.7 (375,000 lb-ft) / (40′) = 6,560 lbsi (ASD force level)
4 . Unit W a ll She a r & N a ilin g on lin e s A & B, w
 Wall Line A: total shear wall length, Σb = 20′
h/b = 12′/20′ = 0.60:1 << 2:1 max. per SDPWS Table 4.3.4 (see Table 9.2, p. 1-122) 
 A reduction of unit wall shears in IBC Table 2306.3 is not necessary
wall A =  (0.7·VA) / Σb = (1.00)(0.7)(15,000 lbs) / (20′) = 525 plf
wall A = 525 plf  IBC Table 2306.3 
(ASD force level)
field nailing … allowable unit wall shear = 550 plf > 525 plf  OK
Wall Line A - use 15/32″ WSP Structural I sheathing w/ 8d common @ 3″ o.c. edge nailing & 12″ o.c.
(3x studs & blocking required at abutting panel edges & staggered nailing at all panel edges per IBC 2306.3, footnote i )

Seism ic Design Review Workbook Pa r t 2 – Ex a m ple Pr oble m s
 Wall Line B: total shear wall length, Σb = 40′

h/b = 12′/40′ = 0.30:1 << 2:1 max. per SDPWS Table 4.3.4 (see Table 9.2, p. 1-122) 
wall B =  (0.7·VB) / Σb = (1.00)(0.7)(15,000 lbs) / (40′) = 262 plf
wall B = 262 plf  IBC Table 2306.3 
(ASD force level)
field nailing … allowable unit wall shear = 280 plf > 262 plf  OK
Wall Line B - use 15/32″ WSP Structural I sheathing w/ 8d common @ 6″ o.c. edge nailing & 12″ o.c.
5 . D r a g For ce D ia gr a m on lin e s A & B, F d

roof A = B = 262 plf (ASD force level)
 Wall Line A: Fd = (262 plf)(20′) = 5,240 lbs (ASD force level)
 Wall Line B: Fd = 0 lbs
D r a g For ce – Lin e A D r a g For ce – Lin e B
B.) E- W D I RECTI ON : L = 40′, d = 100′, CASE 1

L/d = 40′/100′ = 0.4:1 < 3:1 max. per SDPWS Table 4.2.4 (see Table 9.1, p. 1-118) for an unblocked
diaphragm → OK
1 . Unit Roof She a r on line s 1 & 2 , r
V1 = V2 = wsL / 2 = (490 plf)(40′/2) = 9,800 lbs
roof 1 = 2 = (0.7·V1) / d = (0.7)(9,800 lbs) / 100′ = 69 plfi
(SD/LRFD force level)
(ASD force level)
2 . Roof D ia ph r a gm N a ilin g
roof 1 = 69 plf  IBC Table 2306.2.1(1) 
allowable unit diaphragm shear = 240 plf >> 69 plf  OK

15/32” WSP sheathing w/ 8d common (2½″ x 0.131″) @ 6″ o.c. edges, unblocked (CASE 1)
BUT … N-S direction required a blocked diaphragm (15.6′ minimum from lines A & B), which
governs the diaphragm design! Therefore, provide diaphragm nailing per N-S Direction (part A).

3 . M a x im um Ch or d For ce on lin e s A & B, CF

max. M = wsL2 / 8 = (490 plf)(40′)2 / 8 = 98,000 lb-ft (SD/LRFD force level)
max. CF = 0.7·M / d = (0.7)(98,000 lb-ft) / (100′) = 690 lbsi (ASD force level)
4 . Unit W a ll She a r & N a ilin g on lin e s 1 & 2 , w
 Wall Line 1: total shear wall length, Σb = 7′ + 13′ = 20′
Maximum h/b = 12′/7′ = 1.71:1 < 2:1 max. per SDPWS Table 4.3.4 (see Table 9.2, p. 1-122) 
wall 1 =  (0.7·V1) / Σb = (1.00)(0.7)(9,800 lbs) / (20′) = 343 plf
wall 1 = 343 plf  IBC Table 2306.3 
(ASD force level)
field nailing for both walls … allowable unit wall shear = 430 plf > 343 plf  OK
Wall Line 1 - use 15/32″ WSP Structural I sheathing w/ 8d common @ 4″ o.c. edge nailing & 12″ o.c.
(3x studs & blocking required at abutting panel edges & staggered nailing at all panel edges per IBC 2306.3, footnotes i )
 Wall Line 2: total shear wall length, Σb = 10′ + 5′ = 15′

Minimum h/b = 12′/10′ = 1.2:1 < 2:1 maximum per SDPWS Table 4.3.4 (see Table 9.2, p. 1-122) 
 A reduction of unit wall shears in IBC Table 2306.3 is not necessary for 10′ shear wall
Maximum h/b = 12′/5′ = 2.4:1 > 2:1 maximum per SDPWS Table 4.3.4 (see Table 9.2, p. 1-122) 
 A reduction of unit wall shears in IBC Table 2306.3 is necessary for 5′ shear wall …
where the reduction factor = 2b/h = 2(5′)/(12′) = 0.83
wall 2 =  (0.7·V2) / Σb = (1.00)(0.7)(9,800 lbs) / (15′) = 457 plf
wall 2 = 457 plf  IBC Table 2306.3 
(ASD force level)
15/32″ WSP Structural I sheathing w/ 8d common @ 3″ o.c. edge nailing, 12″ o.c. field
nailing.
10′ shear wall - allowable unit wall shear = 550 plf > 457 plf  OK (w/ no reduction)
nailing, 12″ o.c. field nailing … allowable unit wall shear = 550 plf > 457 plf  OK
Wall Line 2 – 10′ shear wall - use 15/32″ WSP Structural I sheathing w/ 8d common @ 3″ o.c. edge
15/32″ WSP sheathing w/ 8d common @ 3″ o.c. edge nailing, 12″ o.c. field nailing.
5′ shear wall - allowable unit wall shear = (0.83)(550 plf) = 456 plf ≈ 457 plf  OK
nailing, 12″ o.c. field nailing … allowable unit wall shear = 0.83(550 plf) = 456 plf ≈ 457 plf  OK
Wall Line 2 – 5′ shear wall - use 15/32″ WSP Structural I sheathing w/ 8d common @ 3″ o.c. edge
NOTE: – the allowable unit wall shear reduction factor 2b/h per SDPWS Table 4.3.4, footnote 1 can
easily result in separate wood structural panel shear walls on the same wall line with different required
edge nail spacing … as nearly occurred in this example on Wall Line 2.

Pr oble m # 1 9
Give n:
 Single-story building w/ special
steel concentrically braced frames
 Concrete (rigid) roof diaphragm
 Relative stiffness of frames
shown on plan
 Calculated Center of Mass (CM)
and Center of Rigidity/Stiffness
(CR) shown per Plan
 Seismic base shear, N-S & E-W
Directions, V = 300 kips
Pla n
Find:
A.) N-S DIRECTION:
1. Accidental eccentricity (ex), accidental & inherent torsional moments (Mta & Mt)
2. Design eccentricities (ex1 & ex2) and design torsional moments (MT1 & MT2)
3. Building plan sketch showing direct & torsional shears for each design eccentricity
4. Total design force to frames A, B & C
B.) E-W DIRECTION:

1. Accidental eccentricity (ey), accidental & inherent torsional moments (Mta & Mt)
2. Design eccentricities (ey1 & ey2) and design torsional moments (MT1 & MT2)
3. Building plan sketch showing direct & torsional shears for each design eccentricity
4. Total design force to frames 1 & 2

B.) Ce n t e r of Rigidit y, CR
Shear Wall Rigidities: (assume cantilever walls, Table D1 - Relative Rigidity of Cantilever Shear
Walls / Piers, Appendix D, p. 5-18)
Wall A : H/D = 15′/30′ = 0.50  Table D1 (p. 5-18)  RA = 5.0

 
R
Wall B : H/D = 15′/20′ = 0.75 Table D1 (p. 5-18) RB = 2.54
Y  R A  R B = 5.0 + 2.54 = 7.54
Wall C : H/D = 15′/40′ = 0.375  Table D1 (p. 5-18)  RC = 7.49

Wall D : RD = RB = 2.54
R
Wall E : RE = RD = 2.54
X  RC  R D  R E = 7.49 + 2.54 + 2.54 = 12.57
X CR 
R x
R
Y
= [5.0 (0′) + 2.54 (80′)] / (7.54) = 26.9 feeti
R y
Y
Y CR 
R
X
= [7.49 (40′) + 2.54 (10′) + 2.54 (0′)] / (12.57) = 25.9 feeti
X

Part 2 – Example Problems Seism ic Design Review Workbook
 R   M R d 
Maximum FB = VY  B    T 1 B 2 B 

  RY    R  d 
= [73.4 kips (2.54) / (7.54)] + [888.1 kip-ft (2.54) (53.1 ft) / (14,615 ft2)]
= 24.7 kips + 8.2 kips = 32.9 kipsi
D.) E-W DIRECTION – Design Force to Shear Walls C, D & E

V = 73.4 kips
Accidental eccentricity, ey =  0.05L =  0.05 (40′) =  2.0′
Accidental torsional moment, Mta = V·( 0.05L) = 73.4 kips ( 2.0′) = 146.8 kip-ft
Calculated ey = 6.2′ (from plan)
Inherent torsional moment, Mt = V·ey = 73.4 kips (6.2′) = +455.1 kip-ft
Design ey = ey  0.05L = 6.2′  2.0′
ey2 = 6.2′  2.0′ = +4.2 feet

ey1 = 6.2′ + 2.0′ = +8.2 feet
MT1 = V(ey + 0.05L)

= Mt + Mta = 455.1 + 146.8 = +601.9 kip-ft
MT2 = V(ey – 0.05L)
= Mt – Mta = 455.1 – 146.8 = +308.3 kip-ft
e y1 = calc. e y + 0.05∙Ly e y2 = calc. e y – 0.05∙Ly
NOTE: By observation, ey1 will govern the design of shear walls D & E (i.e., maximum additive
torsional shear) and ey2 will govern the design of shear wall C (i.e., minimum subtractive torsional shear).
Neither eccentricity will govern the design of shear walls A & B since the force direction is not parallel to
these walls (i.e., no direct shear).
 R  R  R  R = 7.49 + 2.54 + 2.54 = 12.57

 R  d = 14,615 ft2 … from Part C
X C D E

Solu t ion :
A.) STATI C CON D I TI ON , K A :
St a t ic Act ive Soil Pr e ssu r e
Total static active force, PA Total static passive (resisting) force, PP

PA = ½ K A    H 2 PP = ½ K P    D 2
= ½ (0.318)(110 pcf)(11.25′)2 = 2,214 lbs/ft = ½ (3.18)(110 pcf)(2.25′)2 = 885 lbs/ft
resultant height, y A  H 3 = (11.25′) /3 = 3.75’ resultant height, y P  D 3 = (2.25′) /3 = 0.75’
W e ight s
Soil over heel, WS1 = (10′)(4′)(110 pcf) = 4,400 lbs/ft
Soil over toe, WS2 = (1′)(1.5′)(110 pcf) = 165 lbs/ft
Concrete stem wall, WW = (10′)(1′)(150 pcf) = 1,500 lbs/ft
Concrete footing, WF = (1.25′)(6.5′)(150 pcf) = 1,219 lbs/ft
Resultant weight, R = W = 4,400 + 165 + 1,500 + 1,219 = 7,284 lbs/ft
1 . Slidin g Fa ct or of Sa fe t y
Sliding force, FS = PA = 2,214 lbs/ft
= PP + W
Resisting force, FR = passive force + friction force
= 885 lbs/ft + 0.4 (7,284 lbs/ft) = 3,799 lbs/ft

FR 3,799
Sliding factor of safety, FS = = 1.72 > 1.5 minimum per IBC §1807.2.3 OK
FS 2,214

2 . Ove r t u r n in g Fa ct or of Sa fe t y
Overturning moment, OTM = PA  y A
= (2,214 lbs/ft)(11.25′/3) = 8,302 lbft/ft
Resisting moment,
RM = PP  y P  W S 1  x S1  W S 2  x S 2  WW  x W  W F  x F
= 885 lbs/ft (2.25′)/3 + 4,400 (4.5′) + 165 (0.75′) + 1,500 (2′) + 1,219 (3.25′)
= 27,550 lbft/ft

RM 27,550
Overturning factor of safety, FS = = 3.32 > 1.5 minimum per IBC §1807.2.3 OK
OTM 8,302
3 . M a x im um Soil Be a r in g Pr e ssu r e
RM  OTM 27,550  8,302

x  = 2.64′
R 7,284
eccentricity from centerline of footing,

e  L 2  x = (6.5′)/2 – 2.64′ = 0.61′
Soil Be a r in g Pr e ssu r e
if e < L/6 (i.e., R is within middle 1/3 of footing)  the soil pressure distribution is trapezoidal
if e  L/6 (i.e., R is outside of middle 1/3 of footing)  the soil pressure distribution is triangular
e = 0.61′ < L/6 = 6.5′/6 = 1.08′   soil pressure distribution is trapezoidal
R 6e
for a trapezoidal soil pressure distribution,
maximum soil pressure, qs = 1  
L L 
R  6e 
minimum soil pressure, qs = 1  
L L 
7,284  6  (0.61' ) 
1   = 1,750 psf/fti < 3,000 psf allowable (D + L) OK
6.5'  6.5' 
therefore, max. qs =

B.) STATI C PLUS SEI SM I C CON D I TI ON , K AE:
St a t ic plu s Se ism ic Act ive Soil Pr e ssu r e
Total static plus seismic active force, PAE Total static passive (resisting) force, PP
PAE = ½ K AE    H 2
(from part A)
= ½ (0.538)(110 pcf)(11.25′)2 = 3,745 lbs/ft PP = 885 lbs/ft
resultant height, y AE = 0.45H resultant height, y P  D 3 = 0.75′

= 0.45 (11.25′) = 5.06′
Resultant weight, R = W = 7,284 lbs/ft

W e igh t s (from part A)
1 . Slidin g Fa ct or of Sa fe t y
Sliding force, FS = PAE = 3,745 lbs/ft
= PP + W
Resisting force, FR = passive force + friction force
= 885 lbs/ft + 0.4 (7,284 lbs/ft) = 3,799 lbs/ft

FR 3,799
Sliding factor of safety, FS = = 1.01 < 1.5 / 1.33 = 1.1 NG!
FS 3,745
NOTE: 2009 IBC §1605.3.2 & §1806.1 (and most Geotechnical reports) allow a one-third increase in
allowable stress for all load combinations that include short-term loads such as earthquake (or wind).
Although not specifically addressed in the IBC, many designers allow a reduced factor for safety (for
sliding and overturning) when considering these short-term loads … i.e., short term FS = 1.5 / 1.33 = 1.1

Pa r t 3 – M u lt iple Ch oice Pr oble m s Seism ic Design Review Workbook
Given the Single Degree of Freedom structure below which uses six cantilever columns for
lateral resistance. All columns are assumed to be pinned at the top and fixed at the bottom
(i.e., top of the soil grade). All columns are 10 inch diameter standard steel pipe sections
with I = 151 in4, S = 28.1 in3, A = 11.1 in2 and E = 29,000 ksi. Answer questions 2.15 to 2.21
Pla n Ele va t ion

2.15 What is the total stiffness of this structure?
a. 14.8 kips/inch
b. 29.5 kips/inch
c. 59.31 kps/inch
d. 118.2 kips/inch
2.16 What is the period of this structure?

a. 0.16 second
b. 0.23 second
c. 0.32 second
d. 0.46 second
2.17 Given a spectral acceleration (Sa) of 0.37g, what is the base shear?
a. 0.34 kip
b. 1.85 kips
c. 5.55 kips
d. 11.10 kips
2.18 Given a base shear of 18 kips, what is the shear in one of the columns on line A?
a. 1.69 kips
b. 2.68 kips
c. 4.63 kips
d. 9.26 kips
3-6 St even T. Hiner, MS, SE

3.43 Which of the following occupancies types would never be assigned to Seismic Design
Category F (SDC = F)?
a. Hospital
b. Single-family residence
c. County jail
d. Both b & c
3.44 A 5-story building with offices in the upper four stories and a fire station in the first story,
would be assigned to what Occupancy Category per IBC Table 1604.5?
a. I
b. II
c. III
d. IV
3.45 What would be the most appropriate spectral acceleration response parameters (SS & S1) for a
building project proposed at 36º00′00″ Latitude and -120º00′00″ Longitude?
a. SS = 1.75 & S1 = 0.80
b. SS = 1.75 & S1 = 0.60
c. SS = 0.95 & S1 = 0.35
d. SS = 0.75 & S1 = 0.35
3.46 What would be the most appropriate spectral acceleration response parameters (SS & S1) for a
building project proposed at 39º00′00″ Latitude and -123º00′00″ Longitude?
a. SS = 2.00 & S1 = 0.70
b. SS = 1.55 & S1 = 0.70
c. SS = 1.25 & S1 = 0.55
d. SS = 1.25 & S1 = 0.45
3.47 MCE mapped spectral response acceleration parameters SS & S1 are determined based on which
site class?
a. Site Class A
b. Site Class B
c. Site Class C
d. Site Class D
3.48 Given SS = 0.63 & S1 = 0.25, with no soils report, what site coefficients Fa & Fv would be most
appropriate per the IBC?
a. Fa = 1.0 & Fv = 1.0
b. Fa = 1.2 & Fv = 1.8
c. Fa = 1.3 & Fv = 1.9
d. Fa = 1.4 & Fv = 2.0

Seism ic Design Review Workbook Pa r t 3 – M u lt iple Ch oice Pr oble m s
4.68 A structural analysis has been performed on a two-story apartment building (with parking
garage in the first-story). The lateral story strength of the first and second stories were
determined to be 57 kips and 76 kips respectively. The story stiffness of the first and second
stories was determined to be 14 kips/inch and 19.5 kips/inch respectively. Which of the
following vertical irregularities are present in this structure?
I. Stiffness – Soft Story
II. Discontinuity in Lateral Strength – Weak Story
a. I
b. II
c. I & II
d. None of the above
4.69 Which of the following structures are considered to have a Weight (Mass) Irregularity?
I. II. III.
a. I
b. I & II
c. II & III
d. I, II & III
4.70 Which of the following braced frame structures is likely to have a Stiffness-Soft Story
Irregularity?
I. II. III.
a. I
b. I & II
c. I & III
d. I, II & III

Using the figures below, answer questions 4.79 through 4.82
a. b. c. d.
4.79 Which figure best represents the Equivalent Lateral Force (ELF) procedure vertical
distribution of seismic forces (Fx) for structures with a period (T ) less than or equal to 0.5
seconds?
4.80 Which figure best represents the Equivalent Lateral Force (ELF) procedure story shear
distribution (Vx) for structures with a period (T ) less than or equal to 0.5 seconds?
4.81 Which figure best represents the Simplified Design procedure vertical distribution of seismic
forces (Fx)?
4.82 Which figure best represents the Equivalent Lateral Force (ELF) procedure vertical
distribution of seismic forces (Fx) for structures with a period (T ) greater than or equal to 2.5
seconds?
4.83 Given a 15-story Office Bldg w/ steel moment frames, which site class is likely to result in the
largest seismic forces?
a. Site Class B (rock)
b. Site Class C (dense soil)
c. Site Class D (stiff soil)
d. Site Class E (soft soil)
4.84 Given two structures with the same R, I, SDS = 0.73 & SD1 = 0.30. Structure A has a period (TA)
of 0.35 second. Structure B has an effective seismic weight of 3 times that of Structure A (i.e.,
WB = 3·WA). What would be the period of Structure B such that the Base Shear (V) of the two
structures would be equal?
a. 0.35 second
b. 0.65 second
c. 1.25 seconds
d. 2.15 seconds

8.43 Assuming flexible diaphragms at all levels, what should be the force used to design the shear
walls in the 2nd story?
a. Vertical distribution force at level 2, F2
b. Diaphragm design force at level 2, Fp2
c. 2nd story shear, V2
d. Base shear, V
8.44 Assuming flexible diaphragms at all levels, what should be the force used to design the chords
and collectors at level 2?
a. Vertical distribution force at level 2, F2
b. Diaphragm design force at level 2, Fp2
c. 2nd story shear, V2
d. Base shear, V
Given the single story building below with a flexible roof diaphragm and a base shear, V =
15 kips, answer questions 8.45 through 8.59
Pla n
8.45 What is the lateral force in the shear wall on line 1?

a. 6.0 kips
b. 7.5 kips
c. 9.0 kips
d. 12.0 kips
8.46 What is the lateral force in the shear wall on line 2?

a. 6.0 kips
b. 7.5 kips
c. 9.0 kips
d. 12.0 kips

Given the three story office building below with a base shear of 24 kips, approximate
fundamental period of 0.25 second, SDS = 0.60 & SD1 = 0.25, answer questions 8.60
through 8.62
Ele va t ion
nd
8.60 What is the lateral force at the 2 floor level using ASCE 7-05 §12.8.3?
a. 5.3 kips
b. 8.6 kips
c. 10.2 kips
d. 18.7 kips
8.61 What is the 2nd story shear?

a. 10.2 kips
b. 18.7 kips
c. 24.0 kips
d. None of the above
8.62 What is the diaphragm design force at the 3rd floor level (assume all wpx = wx)?
a. 5.3 kips
b. 8.6 kips
c. 10.3 kips
d. 18.7 kips
9.1 For wood structural panel horizontal diaphragms, what is the minimum sheet dimension at
boundaries with blocking omitted?
a. 12"
b. 18"
c. 24"
d. 48"
9.2 What is the maximum length-width (i.e., span-depth) ratio for an unblocked wood structural
panel horizontal diaphragm?
a. 2:1
b. 3:1
c. 3½:1
d. 4:1
9.7 What is the maximum unit roof shear at Allowable Stress Design (ASD) force level?
a. 240 plf
b. 400 plf
c. 480 plf
d. 800 plf
9.8 What is the maximum drag force at Allowable Stress Design (ASD) force level?
a. 2.4 kips
b. 4.8 kips
c. 6.0 kips
d. 9.6 kips
wall height, 30 foot shear wall width,  = 1.0, and neglecting the wall (and tributary roof)
9.9 What is the hold-down force at Allowable Stress Design (ASD) force level assuming a 10 foot
weight?
a. 2.0 kips
b. 4.0 kips
c. 8.0 kips
d. 12.0 kips
9.10 Given a seismic base shear V = CS W = 0.196W at Strength Design (SD) force level. For the
single story flexible roof diaphragm plan below, find the unit diaphragm shear at Allowable
Stress Design (ASD) force level, for East-West loads. Roof DL = 25 psf, wall DL = 15 psf &
12 foot wall heights.
a. 50 plf
b. 80 plf
c. 155 plf
d. 170 plf
Pla n
9.11 The contractor of a one-story wood frame commercial building project is proposing to
substitute 15/32″ Structural I wood structural panel sheathing for the shear walls. The
approved plans call for 3/8″ rated wood structural panel sheathing with 8d common (2½″ x
0.131″) at 2″ o.c. edge nailing. As the project engineer, which of the following nail size and
edge nail spacing would provide the lowest acceptable allowable unit shear value?
a. 10d common at 6″ o.c.
b. 10d common at 4″ o.c.
c. 10d common at 3″ o.c.
d. 10d common at 2″ o.c.

9.12 Given a horizontal diaphragm with 15/32″ rated wood structural panel sheathing attached to 2x
nominal framing members, seismic loads parallel to the continuous panel joints, and a
calculated unit diaphragm shear of 275 plf at an Allowable Stress Design (ASD) force level.
What is the minimum required nailing for this diaphragm?
a. Unblocked diaphragm with 8d common at 6″ o.c. edge nailing
b. Unblocked diaphragm with 10d common at 6″ o.c. edge nailing
c. Blocked diaphragm with 8d common at 6″ o.c. edge nailing
d. Blocked diaphragm with 10d common at 6″ o.c. edge nailing
Use the diagrams and information below to answer questions 9.13 through 9.20
CS = 0.20, ρ = 1.0
Roof DL = 20 psf
Wall DL = 15 psf
Roof: 1/2″ structural I plywood w/
10d common nails - blocked
Shear Walls: 1/2″ structural I plywood
w/ 10d common nails - blocked

9.13 What is the uniform seismic load on the roof diaphragm (ws) for the North-South direction?
a. 220 plf
b. 310 plf
c. 430 plf
d. 540 plf

9.21 What is the purpose of the subdiaphragms in a building with reinforced masonry (or concrete)
shear walls?
a. Transfer out-of-plane wall anchorage forces into the roof diaphragm
b. Transfer in-plane diaphragm unit shears into the shear walls
c. Transfer in-plane diaphragm unit shears into the collector
d. All of the above
9.22 What is the maximum length-width (i.e., span-depth) ratio for a blocked wood structural panel
horizontal diaphragm?
a. 2:1
b. 3:1
c. 3.5:1
d. 4:1
9.23 What is the maximum length-to-width (i.e., span-depth) ratio for a wood structural panel
subdiaphragm?
a. 2:1
b. 2.5:1
c. 3:1
d. 4:1
9.24 What is the maximum height-width ratio of a blocked wood structural panel shear wall where
the unit shear values of IBC Table 2306.3 may be used without any adjustment (i.e., need not
be reduced) when resisting seismic forces?
a. 3.5:1
b. 3:1
c. 2.5:1
d. 2:1
9.25 Given a wood structural panel shear wall with a height-width ratio of 3:1, what reduction factor
would need to be applied to the unit shear values of IBC Table 2306.3 when resisting seismic
forces?
a. 0.82
b. 0.75
c. 0.67
d. 0.33
Given a two-story Bearing Wall System building with special reinforced masonry shear walls,
assigned to Seismic Design Category D (SDC = D), and with blocked wood structural panel
(flexible) diaphragms at the second floor and roof levels. Answer questions 9.26 through 9.27
below.
9.26 What Response Modification Coefficient (R) is appropriate for determining the seismic base
shear?
a. 2
b. 3½
c. 5
d. 5½

14.5 A City’s municipal water supply pipe is proposed to cross an active strike-slip fault. Which of
the following combinations is least likely to result in damage to this lifeline when subjected
to a localized fault rupture?
a. Pipe above ground oriented at 45 degrees to the fault
b. Pipe below ground oriented at 45 degrees to the fault
c. Pipe above ground oriented at 90 degrees to the fault
d. Pipe below ground oriented at 90 degrees to the fault
14.6 In order for liquefaction to occur during an earthquake, which of the following conditions are
required to be present?
a. High groundwater table
b. Granular soils (e.g., sand, silty sand, sandy silt, etc.)
c. Low density in the granular soils
d. All of the above
15.1 Which of the following projects can a California licensed Civil Engineer design and be in
responsible charge?
I. Concrete culvert under a freeway
II. Public school building
III. Vehicle bridge
a. II
b. I & II
c. I & III
d. I, II & III
15.2 A California licensed Civil Engineer has experience in bridge design only. Which of the
following is she/he able to design?
I. A hospital under the supervision of a licensed Civil Engineer with
hospital design experience
II. A building under the supervision of a licensed Structural Engineer
III. A vehicle bridge between two buildings
a. I & II
b. I & III
c. II & III
d. I, II & III
15.3 Given a two-story wood frame single family dwelling entirely of “conventional
construction”, who is allowed to prepare the plans (and specifications)?
I. Architect
II. Civil Engineer
III. Non-registered person
a. I
b. II
c. I & II
d. I, II & III

Seism ic Design Review Workbook Pa r t 4 – M u lt iple Ch oice Solu t ion s
Pr oble m An sw e r Re fe r e n ce / Solut ion
1.1 d Earthquake design applies to all structures such as buildings, highway

bridges, railroad bridges, dams, etc. The International Building Code &
 All structures 
ASCE 7-05 apply to buildings, “nonbuilding” structures, etc.
1.2 b p. 1-1, Figure 1.1

The epicenter is the point on the Earth's surface directly above the
 epicenter 
hypocenter.
1.3 b p. 1-1, Figure 1.1

The place in the Earth's crust where this energy release occurs is known as the
 hypocenter 
hypocenter (or focus).
1.4 b p. 1-1, Nature of earthquakes

Often times, a major earthquake is preceded by smaller earthquakes known as
 foreshocks 
foreshocks …
1.5 a p. 1-2, Fault types

Fault movement may occur suddenly, or as slow continuous (or intermittent)
 fault creep 
movement without noticeable earthquakes known as fault creep.
1.6 d p. 1-2, Fault types
 right-lateral 
The San Andreas fault is a right-lateral fault more than 600 miles long.
1.7 c p. 1-2, Seismic sea waves

Seismic sea waves (or Tsunami’s) occur when a vertical fault movement
 I & II 
occurs on the ocean floor (i.e., normal fault or reverse fault).
1.8 d p. 1-3, Seismic waves & Figure 1.3

Shear waves (S-waves) are most effective in damaging structures near the
epicenter … and therefore, most responsible for the strong ground motion
 Shear waves 
portion of an earthquake.
 ground acceleration 
1.9 b Ground accelerations are the cause of seismic forces in a structure.
1.10 c p. 1-5, Earthquake intensity

Modified Mercalli (Intensity) scale 

Any occupancy w/ occupant load > 5,000  IBC Table 1604.5  OC = III
3.1 a p. 1-29 & 2009 IBC p. 343, §1613.5.6
Fire station  IBC Table 1604.5  OC = IV

Emergency operations center  IBC Table 1604.5  OC = IV
Seismic Design Category F applies only to Occupancy Category IVstructures
(i.e., essential facilities, etc.).
 High-rise office building w/ occupant load > 5,000 

SDC = F does not apply to Occupancy Category I, II or III structures …
3.2 a p. 1-22, Purpose

1. Avoid serious injury and loss of life …
 minimize the hazard to life for all structures 
3.3 d p. 1-22 & 2009 IBC p. 340, §1613.1, items 3 & 4

 All of the above 
3.4 a p. 1-22, Purpose

For ground motions in excess of the design levels (i.e., MCE), the intent of
the provisions is for the structure to have a low likelihood of collapse 
3.5 d p. 1-23, additional levels of protection can be provided with increased force
level, redundancy, and quality of construction.
 I, II & III 
3.6 d p. 1-20 & 2009 IBC p. 307, Table 1604.5
Hospitals) are in Occupancy Category IV 

Group I-2 occupancies having surgery or emergency treatment facilities (i.e.,
Waste water treatment facilities are in Occupancy Category III 

3.7 c p. 1-20 & 2009 IBC p. 307, Table 1604.5
Emergency shelters are in Occupancy Category IV 

3.8 d p. 1-20 & 2009 IBC p. 307, Table 1604.5
Agricultural buildings are in Occupancy Category I 

3.9 a p. 1-20 & 2009 IBC p. 307, Table 1604.5
3.10 b p. 1-20 & 2009 IBC p. 307, Table 1604.5

Office buildings, retail stores, etc. are NOT in Occupancy Category I, III
 Office buildings, retail stores, etc. are in Occupancy Category II 

(unless occupant load > 5,000) or IV …
Aviation control towers are in Occupancy Category IV 

3.11 d p. 1-20 & 2009 IBC p. 307, Table 1604.5

3.40 c 1-29 & 2009 IBC p. 343, §1613.5.6 & Tables 1613.5.6(1) & 1613.5.6(2)
S1 = 0.20 < 0.75   use Tables 1613.5.6(1) & (2) to determine SDC
Occupancy Category II – IBC Table 1604.5 (p. 307) for apartment building
SDS = 0.41 & OC = II  Table 1613.5.6(1)  SDC = C

SD1 = 0.20 & OC = II  Table 1613.5.6(2)  SDC = D  governs
 use Seismic Design Category D, SDC = D 
3.41 d 1-26 & ASCE 7-05 p. 128, Tables 12.2-1 & 12.6-1
SDC determines the permissible lateral analysis procedure, building height
 all of the above 

limit, and seismic detailing requirements of the SFRS
Seismic Design Category C = Moderate seismic hazard level 

3.42 c 1-26, Table 3.1
a. Hospital (Group I-2)  IBC Table 1604.5  OC = IV

3.43 d p. 1-29 & 2009 IBC p. 343, §1613.5.6
b. Single-family residence (Group R-3)  IBC Table 1604.5  OC = II

c. County jail (Group I-3)  IBC Table 1604.5  OC = III
Seismic Design Category F applies only to Occupancy Category IV structures
(i.e., essential facilities, etc.).
 Both b & c 
SDC = F does not apply to Occupancy Category I, II or III structures …
3.44 d p. 1-20 & 2009 IBC p. 306 & 307, §1604.5.1 & Table 1604.5
Where a building or structure is occupied by two or more occupancies not
included in the same Occupancy Category, it shall be assigned the
classification of the highest Occupancy Category corresponding to the
Office building  IBC Table 1604.5  OC = II

various occupancies.
Fire station  IBC Table 1604.5  OC = IV (governs)

 use Occupancy Category IV 
3.45 b 2009 IBC p. 353 & 355, Figures 1613.5(3) & 1613.5(4)
Figure 1613.5(3)  SS ≈ 1.75

At 36º00′00″ Latitude and -120º00′00″ Longitude …
Figure 1613.5(4)  S1 ≈ 0.60
3.46 b 2009 IBC p. 352 & 354, Figures 1613.5(3) & 1613.5(4)
Figure 1613.5(3)  SS ≈ 1.55

At 39º00′00″ Latitude and -123º00′00″ Longitude …
Figure 1613.5(4)  S1 ≈ 0.70
Site Class B 
3.47 b 2009 IBC p. 348 to 365, Figures 1613.5(1) to 1613.5(14)

Pa r t 4 – M u lt iple Ch oice Solu t ion s Seism ic Design Review Workbook
3.48 c 1-25 & 2009 IBC p. 341, Table 1613.5.3(1) & Table 1613.5.3(2)
Site Class D & Ss = 0.63  Table 1613.5.3(1)  Fa = 1.3

Using linear interpolation per footnote a …
Site Class D & S1 = 0.25  Table 1613.5.3(2)  Fv = 1.9

 Fa = 1.3 & Fv = 1.9 
3.49 b 1-25 & 2009 IBC p. 340 to 342, §1613.5.3, §1613.5.4, Table 1613.5.3(1) &
Table 1613.5.3(2)
From Problem 3.48 – Fa = 1.3 & Fv = 1.9
SMS = Fa·SS IBC (16-36)
= 1.3 (0.63) = 0.82
SM1 = Fv·S1 IBC (16-37)
= 1.9 (0.25) = 0.48
SDS = 2/3·SMS IBC (16-38)
= 2/3 (0.82) = 0.55
SD1 = 2/3·SM1 IBC (16-39)
= 2/3 (0.48) = 0.32
 SDS = 0.55 & SD1 = 0.32 
Emergency operations center  IBC Table 1604.5 (p. 307)  OC = IV

3.50 d 1-29, Table 3.4 & 2009 IBC p. 343, §1613.5.6
S1 = 0.80 > 0.75  for Occupant Category IV …

 use Seismic Design Category F, SDC = F 
Police station  2009 IBC Table 1604.5  OC = IV

3.51 a p. 1-29 & 2009 IBC p. 343, §1613.5.6
Apartment building (Group R-2)  2009 IBC Table 1604.5  OC = II

State prison (Group I-3)  2009 IBC Table 1604.5  OC = III
Seismic Design Category E applies only to Occupancy Category I, II or III
structures.
 Police station 
SDC = E does not apply to Occupancy Category IV structures
3.52 c p. 1-23, Seismic Ground Motion Values

The parameters SS & S1 are based on the MCE ground motion.
2% probability of exceedance in 50 years 

For most regions of the United States, the MCE represents a …
3.53 c p. 1-20 & 2009 IBC p. 34, §308.4

Group I-3 occupancies include correctional centers, detention centers, jails,
 Group I-3 
prerelease centers, prisons, etc.


Or using Table C1 (p. 5-16)  Dual Systems & hn = 35′  Ta = 0.29 sec
 Ta = 0.29 second 
4.23 a p. 1-43 & ASCE 7-05 p. 128, Table 12.6-1
SDC = D & T = 2.4 seconds > 3.5·TS  Table 12.6-1  ELF procedure is
3.5·TS = 3.5·(0.6) = 2.10 seconds
 A regular structure with T = 2.4 seconds 

NP (not permitted). All others allow use of the ELF procedure.
Steel SCBF’s, R = 6 
4.24 c ASCE 7-05 p. 120, Table 12.2-1, item B.3
Ω0 = 2 
4.25 c ASCE 7-05 p. 120, Table 12.2-1, item B.3
H = 160 feet 
4.26 b ASCE 7-05 p. 120, Table 12.2-1, item B.3
4.27 d p. 1-49 & ASCE 7-05 p. 129, §12.8.2.1

Ta = Ct (hn)x
Ct = 0.02 & x = 0.75  ASCE 7 p. 129, Table 12.8-2 (all others) Steel SCBF
ASCE 7 (12.8-7)
Ta = 0.02 (140′)0.75 = 0.81 sec

Or using Table C1 (p. 5-16)  CBF & hn = 140′  Ta = 0.81 sec
 Ta = 0.8 second 
4.28 e p. 1-37 & ASCE 7-05 p. 120 & 121, Table 12.2-1
Steel SCBF  Table 12.2-1, item B.3 - R = 6

R is proportional to ductility (i.e., larger R = more ductile)
Light-framed WSP shear walls  Table 12.2-1, item A.13/B.23 - R = 6½ / 7

Reinforced concrete SMF  Table 12.2-1, item C.5 - R = 8
Steel EBF w/ steel SMF (Dual System)  Table 12.2-1, item D.1 - R = 8
 Both c & d 
 None of the above 

4.29 d p. 1-37, ductility is not related to flexibility or stiffness.
K = V / Δ  Largest K = “steepest” elastic curve (i.e., straightline portion)

4.30 a p. 1-37, Figure 4.4
 Shear Wall A is the most stiff 
K = V / Δ  Lowest K = “flattest” elastic curve (i.e., straightline portion)

4.31 d p. 1-37, Figure 4.4
 Shear Wall D is the least stiff 
 Shear Wall B would be the most ductile 

4.32 b p. 1-37, Figure 4.4

4.86 d p. 1-57, Building Separation & IBC p. 345, §1613.6.7

From Problem 4.85 -
Structure 1:
At Level 7 (roof) - δM1 = Cd·δmax / I = (5½)(3.5″) / (1.00) = 19.25″
structure shall be set back from the property line by not less than M
Where a structure adjoins a property line (not common to a public way), the
Structure 1 setback from property line, δM1 = 19.25″

 19 inches 
4.87 b p. 1-57, Building Separation & IBC p. 345, §1613.6.7

From Problem 4.85 -
Structure 2:
At Level 4 (roof) - δM2 = Cd·δmax / I = (4)(1.4″) / (1.00) = 5.60″
structure shall be set back from the property line by not less than M
Where a structure adjoins a property line (not common to a public way), the
Structure 2 setback from property line, δM2 = 5.60″

 6 inches 
T  2 W / K  g
4.88 a p. 1-10, Natural Period
Increase in stiffness (K) will result in a decrease in structure period (T ).

While a decrease in period can result in an increase in base shear (V ) and
lateral forces at each level (Fx), the increase in overall stiffness should more
than compensate the increased force level and result in a decrease in story
drifts.
 Decrease in period and decrease in story drifts 
4.89 a p. 1-36 & 37, Response Modification Coefficient - R

The R coefficient is representative of the inherent overstrength and global
ductility of a seismic-force-resisting system (SFRS).
 The higher R structure has greater ductility 
4.90 b p. 1-47 & ASCE 7-05 p. 129, §12.8.1.1

Office Building = Occupancy Category II – IBC p. 307, Table 1604.5
I = 1.0 – ASCE 7-05 p. 116, Table 11.5-1
R = 5 – ASCE 7-05 p. 120, Table 12.2-1, item A.7
Ta = 0.21 second < Ts   ASCE 7 (12.8-2) governs for Cs

Ts = SD1/SDS = (0.30) / (0.75) = 0.40 second
C S  DS 
R I  5 1.0
S 0.75
= 0.15 ASCE 7 (12.8-2)
= 0.150·W 
V = Cs·W ASCE 7 (12.8-1)

4.91 d p. 1-26, Determination of Seismic Design Category

The Seismic Design Category (SDC) of a structure is used to determine the:
 permitted seismic-force-resisting systems
 building height limits
 permitted lateral analysis procedures
 restrictions on buildings with horizontal and/or vertical irregularities
 seismic detailing requirements
 requirements for nonstructural components
 All of the above 
4.92 c p. 1-34 & ASCE 7-05 p. 121, Table 12.2-1
 Moment-Resisting Frame System 

N-S forces resisted by Steel IMF (i.e., parallel to the load direction) …
4.93 a p. 1-34 & ASCE 7-05 p. 120, Table 12.2-1

E-W forces resisted by special reinforced masonry shear walls (i.e., parallel to
 Bearing Wall System 

the load direction), that are also noted to be bearing walls …
4.94 a p. 1-38 & ASCE 7-05 p. 119, §12.2.2
 Combination of framing systems in different directions 

N-S steel IMF’s and E-W special reionforced masonry shear walls ...
 use R = 4½ 
4.95 b p. 1-36 & ASCE 7-05 p. 121, Table 12.2-1, item C.3 – steel IMF
4.96 c p. 1-36 & ASCE 7-05 p. 120, Table 12.2-1, item A.7 – special reinforced
 use R = 5 
masonry shear walls
4.97 d p. 1-34
Moment-resisting frames are typically less stiff (i.e., more flexible) than
reinforced concrete (or masonry) shear walls, steel concentrically braced
frames, and steel eccentrically braced frames ... which in turn means that they
are more likely to have trouble meeting the drift requirements (i.e., drift often
 Steel Special steel moment frames (steel SMF) 

governs their design rather than strength).
5.1 b p. 1-64 & ASCE 7-05 p. 126, §12.4.2.2
Ev = ± 0.2(0.73)(50 kips) = ± 7.3 kips 

Ev = ± 0.2SDS ·D ASCE 7 (12.4-4)
The value of  is permitted to equal 1.0 for … structures assigned to SDC = B

5.2 a p. 1-64 & ASCE 7-05 p. 126, §12.3.4.1 - item 1
 maximum ρ = 1.0 
or C.

8.43 c p. 1-99, Flexible Diaphragms & ASCE 7-05 p. 130, §12.8.4

The seismic design story shear (Vx) shall be distributed to the various vertical
elements of the SFRS (i.e., shear walls, etc.) based on the relative lateral
stiffness of the vertical elements (i.e., shear walls, etc.) and the diaphragm.
For a flexible diaphragm, the story shear (Vx) will be distributed based
 2nd story shear, V2 

tributary area (i.e., mass distribution).
8.44 b p. 1-95, Diaphragm Design & ASCE 7-05 p. 132, §12.10

The diaphragm design force (Fpx) is used to design the diaphragms, including
chords and collectors, regardless of whether the diaphragm is considered rigid
 Diaphragm design force at level 2, Fp2 

or flexible.
8.45 a p. 1-100, Flexible diaphragm analysis
V1 = ws·L1 / 2 = (0.15 klf) (80′) / 2 = 6.0 kips 

ws = V / L = (15 kips) / (100′) = 0.15 klf
8.46 b p. 1-100, Flexible diaphragm analysis

ws = 0.15 klf
= (0.15 klf) (80′) / 2 + (0.15 klf) (20′) / 2 = (15 kips) / 2 = 7.5 kips 
V2 = ws·L1 / 2 + ws·L2 / 2 = ws·L / 2 = V / 2
8.47 a p. 1-100, Flexible diaphragm analysis
V3 = ws·L2 / 2 = (0.15 klf) (20′) / 2 = 1.5 kips 

ws = 0.15 klf
8.48 d p. 1-100, Flexible diaphragm analysis
Unit roof shear v1 = V1 / d = (6.0 kips) / (50′) = 0.12 klf = 120 plf 
From Problem 8.45, V1 = 6.0 kips
8.49 c p. 1-100, Flexible diaphragm analysis
Unit roof shear v2 = V2 / d = (7.5 kips) / (50′) = 0.15 klf = 150 plf 
From Problem 8.46, V2 = V / 2 = 7.5 kips
8.50 b p. 1-100, Flexible diaphragm analysis
VA = VB = ws·L / 2 = (0.30 klf) (50′) / 2 = V / 2 = 7.5 kips 

ws = V / L = (15 kips) / (50′) = 0.30 klf
8.51 c p. 1-100, Flexible diaphragm analysis
Unit roof shear vA = vB = VA / d = (7.5 kips) / (100′) = 0.075 klf = 75 plf 

From Problem 8.50, VA = VB = V / 2 = 7.5 kips
8.52 b p. 1-103, Chord force
maximum CFA = wsL12 / 8d = (0.15 klf)(80′)2 / 8 (50′) = 2.4 kips (governs)

Diaphragm 1 -
(continued)

maximum CFA = wsL22 / 8d = (0.15 klf)(20′)2 / 8 (50′) = 0.15 kips

Diaphragm 2 -
 maximum CFA = 2.4 kips 
Mw = Mx =  ws  L   x  ws  x
8.53 d p. 1-103, Chord force
2
 2  2
= [(0.30 klf)(50′) / 2]10′ – (0.30 klf)(10′)2 / 2 = 60.0 kip-ft
CFw = CFx = Mw / d = (60.0 kip-ft) / 100′ = 0.6 kips
Line 2 is not a boundary member for longitudinal direction seismic forces, so
there will be no chord force on this line:
CFy = 0 kips
From Problem 8.52, CFz = wsL12 / 8d = 2.4 kips (governs)
 the maximum chord force occurs at “z” 
8.54 a p. 1-104, Drag force
Drag force at “w” & “x”, Fd = (roof v1)(10′) = (0.12 klf)(10′) = 1.2 kips 
From Problem 8.48, unit roof shear v1 = 0.12 klf
8.55 c p. 1-104, Drag force
Drag force at “y”, Fd = (roof v2)(35′) = (0.15 klf)(35′) = 5.25 kips 

From Problem 8.49, unit roof shear v2 = 0.15 klf
8.56 b p. 1-104, Drag force
Drag force at “z”, Fd = (roof vA)(20′ + 40′) = (0.075 klf)(60′) = 4.5 kips 
From Problem 8.51, unit roof shear vA = 0.075 klf
8.57 c p. 1-104, Drag force

From Problems 8.54 to 8.56 -
Drag force at “w” & “x”, Fd = 1.2 kips
Drag force at “y”, Fd = 5.25 kips (governs)
 the maximum drag force occurs at “y” 

Drag force at “z”, Fd = (roof vA)(20′ + 40′) = (0.075 klf)(60′) = 4.5 kips
8.58 a p. 1-104
Unit wall shear v1 = V1 / ∑b = (6.0 kips) / (30′) = 0.20 klf = 200 plf 
From Problem 8.45, V1 = 6.0 kips
8.59 d p. 1-104
Unit wall shear v2 = V2 / ∑b = (7.5 kips) / (15′) = 0.50 klf = 500 plf 
From Problem 8.46, V2 = V / 2 = 7.5 kips
8.60 a p. 1-51, Vertical distribution of seismic forces & ASCE 7-05 p. 130, §12.8.3
1st floor = Base
2nd floor = Level 1 (i.e., first level above the Base)
(continued)

h/b  3.5 maximum (requires reduction factor 2b/h for seismic)

9.6 b p. 1-122, Table 9.2 & SDPWS Table 4.3.4
 minimum b = (h/3.5) = 10′ / 3.5 = 2.86′  2′-10″ 
9.7 a p. 1-121, Wood structural panel diaphragms
for ASD, roof  = (0.7·Vmax) / d = 0.7(16.8 kips) / 50′ = 235 plf  240 plf 
Vmax = w·L / 2 = V / 2 = 33.6 kips / 2 = 16.8 kips
9.8 b p. 1-104, Drag force

Maximum drag force occurs on right (i.e., East) wall line at 20′ from South
for ASD, max Fd = roof  (20′) = (240 plf)(20′) = 4,800 lbs = 4.8 kips 
end of collector (i.e., South end of 30′ shear wall) –
 = 1.0 (given)
9.9 b p. 1-130, Shear wall overturning / Hold-downs
 0.7  (V1  h)  0.7(1.0)(16.8)(10' )

V1 = V2 = V / 2 = 33.6 kips / 2 = 16.8 kips
T  = – 3.92 kips
 for ASD, uplift T = 4.0 kips 
b 30'
V = CS W = 0.196W (given)
9.10 b p. 1-121, Wood structural panel diaphragms
For a single-story building – ws = fp1 = Fp1 / L = CS ·wp1
Vmax = wsL / 2 = (438 plf)(40′) / 2 = 8,760 lbs

East-West: ws = 0.196 [(25 psf)(75′) + (15 psf)(12′/2)·4 walls] = 438 plf
for ASD, roof  = (0.7·Vmax) / d = 0.7·(8,760 lbs) / 75′ = 82 plf  80 plf 
9.11 c 2009 IBC p. 474, Table 2306.3

3/8″ rated sheathing w/ 8d common (2½″ x 0.131″) @ 2″ o.c. = 530 plf
15/32″ Structural I w/ 10d common @ 6″ o.c. = 340 plf < 530 plf NG!
15/32″ Structural I w/ 10d common @ 4″ o.c. = 510 plf < 530 plf NG!
15/32″ Structural I w/ 10d common @ 3″ o.c. = 665 plf > 530 plf OK
15/32″ Structural I w/ 10d common @ 2″ o.c. = 870 plf >> 530 plf OK
 use 15/32″ Structural I w/ 10d common @ 3″ o.c. = 665 plf  530 plf 
9.12 d 2009 IBC p. 470, Table 2306.2.1(1)

Load parallel to continuous panel joints = Case 3 (weak direction)
15/32″ sheathing w/ 8d @ 6″ o.c. unblocked = 180 plf < 275 plf NG!
15/32″ sheathing w/ 10d @ 6″ o.c. unblocked = 190 plf < 275 plf NG!
15/32″ sheathing w/ 10d @ 6″ o.c. blocked = 290 plf  275 plf OK

15/32″ sheathing w/ 8d @ 6″ o.c. blocked = 270 plf < 275 plf NG!
 use 15/32″ sheathing w/ 10d common @ 6″ o.c. = 290 plf  275 plf 
V = CS W
9.13 d p. 1-100, Flexible diaphragm analysis
(continued)

9.32 b p. 1-126 & 2009 IBC p. 474, Table 2306.3

h/b = 12′/4.25′ = 2.82:1 > 2:1 … unit shear values will require a reduction
factor for seismic
15/32″ Structural I w/ 10d common at 3″ o.c.  Table 2306.3 

reduction factor = 2b/h = 2(4.25′/12′) = 0.71
 allowable unit wall shear = (0.71)(665 plf) = 470 plf 
9.33 b p. 1-126 & 2009 IBC p. 474, Table 2306.3

h/w = 12′/3.42′ = 3.5:1 > 2:1 … unit shear values will require a reduction
factor for seismic
15/32″ Structural I w/ 10d common at 3″ o.c.  Table 2306.3 

reduction factor = 2b/h = 2(3.42′/12′) = 0.57
 allowable unit wall shear = (0.57)(665 plf) = 380 plf 
9.34 d p. 1-115 & 2009 IBC p. 451, §2301.2 - items 1, 2 & 3

The design of structural elements or systems constructed partially or wholly
of wood or wood-based products, shall be in accordance with one of the
following methods: Allowable Stress Design (ASD), Load and Resistance
Factor Design (LRFD), Conventional Light-Frame Construction … etc.
 I, II & III 
9.35 c p. 1-140 & ASCE 7-05 p. 133, §12.11.2.2
wall anchorage force per ASCE 7 – §12.11.2 

SDC = C, D, E or F - subdiaphragms are to be designed for the …
9.36 d p. 1-123 & SDPWS §4.3.5

The SDPWS provides for two methods for designing shear walls with
openings: force transfer around openings & perforated shear walls.
 Both b & c 
9.37 a p. 1-122, Table 9.2 & 2009 IBC p. 469, §2306.5 & §2306.7
I. Wood structural panels - permitted in all SDC’s
II. Gypsum wallboard, etc. - Not permitted for seismic in SDC = E & F
I 
III. Particle board (blocked) - Not permitted for seismic in SDC = D, E & F
9.38 c p. 1-138, Figure 9.15

In-plane overturning load path … hold-down post (D) to hold-down
D–A–E–F 
connector (A) to hold-down anchor bolt (E) to footing (F).
9.39 a p. 1-138, Figure 9.15

In-plane shear load path … shear wall sheathing to transfer the in-plane shear
C–B–F 
to the sill plate (C) to sill bolts (B) to footing (F).

11.9 d p. 1-157, Types of Work & 2009 IBC p. 368+, §1704 Special Inspections
IBC Table 1704.7, item 4 – required for fill placement and compaction
IBC §1704.12 – required for sprayed fire-resistant materials
 typically NOT required for nailing of wood structural members 

IBC §1704.16 – required for smoke control systems
11.10 a 2009 IBC p. 383, §1710.1 – General

At the conclusion of the work included in the permit, the structural observer
shall submit to the building official a written statement that the site visits have
 Building official 
been made and report any deficiencies …
12.1 a p. 1-166
The California Building Code (CBC) is also known as the California Code of
 California Building Code (CBC) 

Regulations (CCR), Title 24, Part 2.
12.2 d p. 1-167
The CEBC provides minimum seismic strengthening provisions for existing
unreinforced masonry (URM) bearing wall buildings that undergo a change
 existing unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings 

of use (or occupancy), alteration, or repair.
12.3 a p. 1-167
The CHBC provides alternative building regulations and building standards
for the rehabilitation, etc … of buildings (or structures) designated as historic
 historic buildings 
buildings.
12.4 a p. 1-167
The provisions of the CRC shall apply to the construction, etc. … of detached
one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses not more than three stories …
 California Residential Code (CRC) 

in California.
13.1 c p. 1-177
For pre-1971 reinforced concrete bridge columns in California, the most common
 steel jacket 
retrofit is to encase the column with a steel jacket (i.e., steel casings) …
13.2 b p. 1-169
“X” cracking (shear cracking) occurs during in-plane cyclic loading on walls.
It is most likely to occur on an unreinforced masonry (URM) wall since
reinforcement is not present to prevent cracks from “opening up” during
 In-plane loading on an unreinforced masonry wall 

lateral loading.

13.22 a p. 1-138, Shear Transfer – Figure 9.15 (similar)

In-plane diaphragm shear load path … roof diaphragm sheathing transfers
through boundary nailing (A) to wood ledger (B) to ledger bolting (C) to
A–B–C–D 
concrete shear wall (D).
13.23 a p. 1-169, Unreinforced Masonry (URM) Buildings

Very stiff, very brittle, and probably the most hazardous form of construction
 Unreinforced masonry (URM) 

found in seismic regions of the United States
13.24 d p. 1-177, Retrofit of existing structures

The most common retrofit is to encase the column with a steel jacket … to
increase the confinement and to improve the flexural ductility and shear
 all of the above 

capacity of the column.
13.25 b p. 1-177, Retrofit of existing structures

Figure A lacks an obvious continuous load path for in-plane shear between
the existing sill plate and the existing footing (i.e., sill bolts are missing) …
therefore, sliding of the structure is likely in the event of moderate earthquake
 Sliding failure between sill plate and footing 

ground motion.
13.26 c p. 1-177, Retrofit of existing structures

Figure B demonstrates a potential weak-story failure due to the existing
cripple wall studs without structrural sheathing to resist the in-plane shear
 Cripple wall faiure 

(i.e., lap siding is not structural).
13.27 a p. 1-177, Retrofit of existing structures

Per Problem 13.25 … sill bolts are missing. The most logical seimic retrofit
would be to provide new sill bolts using post-installed adhesive anchors or
 Add sill plate anchor bolts 

mechanical (e.g., wedge) anchors.
13.28 b p. 1-177, Retrofit of existing structures

Per Problem 13.26 … cripple wall is weak. The most logical seimic retrofit
would be to provide shear walls between the main floor framing and the
existing footing. This is most easily accomplished by sheathing the inside
 Add WSP sheathing to the inside face of the cripple studs 

face of the existing cripple studs with wood structural panels (WSP).
14.1 d p. 1-179, Liquefaction

Soils most susceptible to liquefaction are saturated, loose & uniformly graded
 I, II & III 
sands.

Seism ic Design Review Workbook Pa r t 5 – Appe n dix A
IMPORTANCE FACTOR ( I ) – a factor assigned to each structure according to its Occupancy

Category (I, II, III or IV).
INTERMEDIATE MOMENT FRAME (IMF) – a moment frame of reinforced concrete satisfying the
detailing requirements of ACI 318, of structural steel satisfying the detailing requirements of AISC
Seismic - Part I or of composite construction satisfying the requirements of AISC Seismic - Part II.
INVERTED PENDULUM-TYPE STRUCTURE – a structure which has a large portion of its mass
concentrated near the top and has essentially a single degree of freedom (SDOF) in horizontal
translation (usually T-shaped with a single column supporting the beams or framing at the top). A
structure in which more than 50 percent of the structure’s mass is concentrated at the top of a
slender, cantilevered structure and in which stability of the mass at the top of the structure relies on
rotational restraint to the top of the cantilevered element.
JOINT – the geometric volume common to intersecting members.
LATERAL-FORCE-RESISTING SYSTEM (LFRS) – is that part of the structural system designed to
resist the Design Seismic Forces (or wind forces).
LATERAL LOAD – any horizontal load on a structure, including the load from wind (W) or earthquake
(E).
LIGHT-FRAME CONSTRUCTION – a method of construction whose vertical and horizontal
structural elements are primarily formed by a system of repetitive wood or light gage steel framing
members or subassemblies of these members (e.g., trusses).
LIGHT-FRAMED WALL – a wall with wood or steel studs.
LIGHT-FRAMED WOOD SHEAR WALL – a wall constructed with wood studs and sheathed with
material rated for shear resistance (e.g. wood structural panels, gypsum wallboard, plaster, etc.).
LIMIT STATE – a condition beyond which a structure or member becomes unfit for service and is
judged to be no longer useful for its intended function (serviceability limit state) or judged to be
unsafe (strength limit state).
LIVE LOAD – the load produced by the use and occupancy of the building or other structure. Live loads
do not include construction or environmental loads such as wind load (W), snow load (S), rain load
(R), earthquake load (E), flood load (F) or dead load (D).
LOAD AND RESISTANCE FACTOR DESIGN (LRFD) – a method of proportioning structural
members and their connections using load and resistance factors such that no applicable limit state is
reached when the structure is subjected to appropriate load combinations. The term “LRFD” is used
in the design of steel and wood structures.
example: (load) factored moment  (resistance) factored moment strength
Mu   Mn
LOAD EFFECTS – forces and deformations produced in structural members by the applied loads.
LOAD FACTOR – a factor that accounts for deviations of the actual load from the nominal load, for
uncertainties in the analysis that transforms the load into a load effect, and for the probability that
more than one extreme load will occur simultaneously.
LOADS – forces or other actions that result from the weight of building materials, occupants and their
possessions, environmental effects, differential movement and restrained dimensional changes.
Permanent loads are those loads in which variations over time are rare or of small magnitude, such
as dead loads. All other loads are variable loads (see also “Nominal loads”).
MAJOR ORTHOGONAL HORIZONTAL DIRECTIONS – the orthogonal directions that overlay the
majority of lateral force resisting elements.
MAXIMUM CONSIDERED EARTHQUAKE (MCE) GROUND MOTION – the most severe
earthquake effects considered by the applicable code (or standard).
Seism ic Design Review Workbook Pa r t 5 – Appe n dix B
Appe n dix B – N ot a t ion s

Ax = torsional amplification factor at Level x; see ASCE 7 – §12.8.4.3
ap = component amplification factor determined from ASCE 7 – §13.3.1 & Table 13.5-1 or
13.6-1
Cd = deflection amplification factor as given in ASCE 7 – Tables 12.2-1, 15.4-1, or 15.4-2
CS = seismic response coefficient determined in ASCE 7 – §12.8.1.1 & §19.3.1
Ct = building period coefficient in ASCE 7 – §12.8.2.1
Cvx = vertical distribution factor as determined in ASCE 7 – §12.8.3
c = distance from the neutral axis of a flexural member to the fiber of maximum compressive
strain
D = the effect of dead load on a structural element
Dp = relative seismic displacement that a component must be designed to accommodate as
defined in ASCE 7 – §13.3.2
dC = total thickness of cohesive soil layers in the top 100 ft; see IBC §1613.5.5 or ASCE 7 –
§20.4.3
di = thickness of any soil or rock layer i (between 0 and 100 ft); see IBC §1613.5.5 or ASCE 7 –
§20.4.1
dS = total thickness of cohesionless soil layers in the top 100 ft; see IBC §1613.5.5 or ASCE 7 –
§20.4.2
E = combined seismic load effect of horizontal and vertical earthquake-induced forces on a
structural element; see ASCE 7 – §12.4.2
Eh = effect of horizontal seismic forces as defined in ASCE 7 – §12.4.2.1 or §12.14.3.1.1
Em = maximum seismic load effect of horizontal and vertical earthquake-induced forces
(including overstrength factor) on a structural element; see ASCE 7 – §12.4.3
Emh = maximum effect of horizontal seismic forces including structural overstrength as defined in
ASCE 7 – §12.4.3.1 or §12.14.3.2.1
Ev = vertical seismic load effect as defined in ASCE 7 – §12.4.2.2 or §12.14.3.1.2
Fa = acceleration based short-period site coefficient (at T = 0.2 second) defined in IBC Table
1613.5.3(1) or ASCE 7 – §11.4.3; see ASCE 7 – §12.14.8.1 when using the Simplified
Design procedures of ASCE 7 – §12.14
Fi , Fn , Fx = portion of the seismic base shear (V) induced at Level i, n, or x, respectively, as determined
in ASCE 7 – §12.8.3
Fp = horizontal seismic force acting on a component of a structure as determined in ASCE 7 –
§13.3.1
Fpx = diaphragm design force at Level x per ASCE 7 – §12.10.1.1 & equation (12.10-1)
Fv = velocity based long-period site coefficient (at T = 1.0 second) defined in IBC Table
1613.5.3(2) or ASCE 7 – §11.4.3
f′c = specified compressive strength of concrete used in design (psi)
Seism ic Design Review Workbook Pa r t 5 – Appe n dix B
OTMx = overturning moment at Level x

Px = total unfactored vertical design load at and above Level x, for use in ASCE 7 – §12.8.7
PI = plasticity index of soil, ASTM D4318
QE = effect of horizontal seismic forces from V or Fp as specified in ASCE 7 – §12.14.8.1,
§12.14.7.5 & §13.3.1
R = relative rigidity of a concrete or masonry shear wall
R = response modification coefficient as given in ASCE 7 – Tables 12.2-1, 12.14-1, 15.4-1, or
15.4-2
Rp = component response modification factor as defined in ASCE 7 – §13.3.1
RM = resisting moment
S = effect of snow load on a structural element
SS = mapped MCE (5% damped) spectral response acceleration parameter at short periods as
defined in IBC §1613.5.1 or ASCE 7 – §11.4.1
S1 = mapped MCE (5% damped) spectral response acceleration parameter at 1 second period as
defined in IBC §1613.5.1 or ASCE 7 – §11.4.1
SDS = design (5% damped) spectral response acceleration parameter at short periods as defined in
IBC §1613.5.4 or ASCE 7 – §11.4.4
SD1 = design (5% damped) spectral response acceleration parameter at 1 second period as defined
in IBC §1613.5.4 or ASCE 7 – §11.4.4
SMS = site class modified MCE (5% damped) spectral response acceleration parameter at short
periods as defined in IBC §1613.5.3 or ASCE 7 – §11.4.3
SM1 = site class modified MCE (5% damped) spectral response acceleration parameter at 1
second period as defined in IBC §1613.5.3 or ASCE 7 – §11.4.3
su = undrained shear strength; see IBC §1613.5.5 or ASCE 7 – §20.4.3
su = average undrained shear strength in top 100 feet; see IBC §1613.5.5 or ASCE 7 – §20.3.3
& §20.4.3, ASTM D2166 or ASTM D2850
Sui = undrained shear strength of any cohesive soil layer i (between 0 and 100 ft); see IBC
§1613.5.5 or ASCE 7 – §20.4.3
T = elastic fundamental period of vibration of the structure in the direction under consideration
(seconds)
Ta = approximate fundamental period of the building as determined in ASCE 7 – §12.8.2
(seconds)
TL = long-period transition period as defined in ASCE 7 – §11.4.5 (seconds)
Tp = fundamental period of the component and its attachment, see ASCE 7 – §13.6.2 (seconds)
T0 = control period equal to 0.2 S D1 S DS
TS = control period equal to S D1 S DS
V = seismic base shear; total seismic design lateral force or shear at the base
Vx = seismic design shear in story x as determined in ASCE 7 – §12.8.4 or §12.9.5
Pa r t 5 – I n de x Seism ic Design Review Workbook
Single degree of freedom system (SDOF), 1-9 Y-direction (N-S), 1-112

Site class, 1-24 Torsional
Slab-on-grade footings, 1-146 Irregularity, 1-41
Slope stability, 1-180 Moment (MT), 1-110
Soft story irregularity, 1-42 Shear, 1-110
Snow load, 1-45, 1-67 Tsunami’s, 1-2
Special inspection, 1-155
Spectra, response, 1-14
Spectral U
Acceleration (Sa), 1-12 Unblocked horizontal diaphragm, 1-119
Acceleration response parameters, 1-23 Unreinforced Masonry, see URM
Displacement (Sd), 1-12 Uplift, shear wall, 1-129
Velocity (Sv), 1-12 URM
Spectrum, response, 1-12 Buildings, 1-169
State Geologist, 1-178 Infill walls, 1-175
Steel
Braced frames, 1-153
Concentric braced frames (CBF), 1-153 V
Eccentric braced frames (EBF), 1-154 Vertical
Moment frames with URM infill walls, 1-175 Combinations, 1-38
Ordinary moment frame (OMF), 1-153 Distribution of seismic forces (Fx), 1-51
Intermediate moment frame (IMF), 1-153 Seismic load effect (Ev), 1-64
Special moment frame (SMF), 1-151 Structural irregularities, 1-40, 1-42
Tanks, liquid filled, 1-177 Vibration theory, 1-9
Welded moment frames, 1-152 Vision 2000, 1-167
Stemwall footings, 1-146
Stiffness (K), 1-9
Irregularity, see soft story W
Storage occupancy, 1-45 Wall
Calculated (x), 1-53

Story drift, 1-53 Overturning, wood structural panel, 1-128
Limit (ax), 1-54

Rigidity, 1-105
Shear, 1-33, 1-34
Story shear (Vx), 1-52 Warehouse occupancy, 1-45
Strength, 1-19 Weak story, 1-42
Strength design, 1-67 Welded steel moment frames, 1-152, 1-174
Strike-slip fault, 1-2 Wind and seismic detailing, 1-21
Structural Wood frame buildings, residential, 1-176
Engineer, 1-186 Wood structural panel
Engineers Association of California, see SEAOC Diaphragms, 1-120
Observation, 1-160 Shear walls, 1-124
Systems, 1-34 Working stress design, see Allowable Stress Design
Walls and their anchorage, 1-77
Structure period (T) 1-10, 1-48
Surface rupture, 1-2
X
Surface waves, 1-3 “X” cracking, 1-169, 1-170
S-waves, 1-3
System overstrength factor (Ω0), 1-37
T
Tanks and vessels, 1-92
Thrust fault, 1-2
Tilt-up buildings, 1-172
Title Acts, 1-185
Title Authorities, 1-185
Torsion
Inherent (Mt), 1-108, 1-109
Accidental (Mta), 1-109
X-direction (E-W), 1-111

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Seism ic Design Review Workbook Se ism ic Pr in ciple s Te st Pla n

Ca lifor n ia Spe cia l Civil P.E. Se ism ic

St even T. Hiner, MS, SE xxi

Ta ble 1 .1 – USGS Ea r t h qua k e St r e n gt h

St even T. Hiner, MS, SE 1- 5

Ta ble 3 .2 - D e sign Spe ct r a l Re spon se Acce le r a t ion Pa r a m e t e r a t Sh or t Pe r iods ( S D S)

Site-Specific Ground Motion Procedure Required - ASCE 7 - Chapter 21

St even T. Hiner, MS, SE 1- 27

Se ism ic D e sign Ca t e gor y A ASCE 7 - § 1 1 .7

Loa d Pa t h Con ne ct ions ASCE 7 – § 1 1 .7 .3

St even T. Hiner, MS, SE 1- 31

D . D u a l Syst e m - Structural system that is essentially a combination of a Building Frame System

Figur e 4 .2 – D ua l Syst e m Ex a m ple

Bu ilding A - Not a Dual Syst em Bu ilding B – Dual Syst em ( N- S axis)

E. Sh e a r W a ll- Fr a m e I n t e r a ct ive Syst e m - a structural system that uses combinations of

St even T. Hiner, MS, SE 1- 35

Ta ble 4 .1 – H or izon t a l St r u ct u r a l I r r e gu la r it ie s ( Ref. 12 / ASCE 7 – Table 12.3- 1)

5 . N onpa r a lle l Syst e m s I r r e gu la r it y

St even T. Hiner, MS, SE 1- 41

Ta ble 4 .2 – Ve r t ica l St r u ct ur a l I r r e gu la r it ie s ( Ref. 12 / ASCE 7 – Table 12.3- 2)

4 . I n - Pla ne D iscon t in u it y in Ve r t ica l La t e r a l For ce - Re sist in g

1- 42 St even T. Hiner, MS, SE

St r u ct u r a l M ode lin g ASCE 7 – § 1 2 .7 .3

I n t e r a ct ion Effe ct s ASCE 7 – § 1 2 .7 .4

1- 46 St even T. Hiner, MS, SE

4 .1 1 Ve r t ica l D ist r ibu t ion of Se ism ic For ce s

k = 1  for T ≤ 0.5 second

k = 2  for T ≥ 2.5 seconds

Figur e 4 .1 3 – Ve r t ica l D ist r ibu t ion of For ce

St even T. Hiner, MS, SE 1- 51

St even T. Hiner, MS, SE 1- 55

4 .1 4 Bu ildin g Se pa r a t ion ASCE 7 – § 1 2 .1 2 .3

Figur e 4 .1 8 – Ex a m ple s of Poun ding

Floor s Align e d Floor s N ot Aligne d

M1 = Maximum inelastic displacement of adjacent Structure 1

M2 = Maximum inelastic displacement of adjacent Structure 2

1- 56 St even T. Hiner, MS, SE

D r ift Lim it s ASCE 7 – § 1 2 .1 4 .8 .5

1- 62 St even T. Hiner, MS, SE

Horizontal Seismic Load Effect with Overstrength Factor, Em h ASCE 7 – § 1 2 .4 .3 .1

5.2 Load Combinations I BC § 1 6 0 5

overstrength factor of ASCE 7 – §12.14.3.2 shall be used (i.e., 0 = 2.5 assumed).

 Alt e r n a t ive Ba sic ( ASD ) Loa d Com bin a t ion s* I BC § 1 6 0 5 .3 .2

Loa d Com bin a t ion s w it h Ove r st r e n gt h Fa ct or ASCE 7 – § 1 2 .4 .3 .2

 (0.9  0.2 S DS ) D  0  QE  1.6 H

 Ba sic ( ASD ) Loa d Com bin a t ion s w it h Ove r st r e n gt h Fa ct or

 (1.0 + 0.105SDS)D + H + F + 0.5250·QE + 0.75L + 0.75(Lr or S or R)

1- 68 St even T. Hiner, MS, SE

Figur e 6 .7 – CM U Pa r a pe t W a ll An chor a ge t o W ood D ia ph r a gm

a . N ot Acce pt a ble b. Acce pt a ble

1- 82 St even T. Hiner, MS, SE

Structural Analysis Procedure ASCE 7 – § 1 5 .1 .3

Nonbuilding Structures Supported by Other Structures ASCE 7 – § 1 5 .3

Architectural, Mechanical & Electrical Components ASCE 7 – § 1 5 .3 .3

7.2 Structural Design Requirements ASCE 7 – § 1 5 .4

Design Basis ASCE 7 – § 1 5 .4 .1

1- 86 St even T. Hiner, MS, SE

Effe ct ive Se ism ic W e igh t , W ASCE 7 – § 1 5 .4 .3

St even T. Hiner, MS, SE 1- 87