Seismic Analysis: UBC-97 Code Provisions
A seismic analysis in the design of buildings especially high rise towers is a very important
factor to consider. Because earthquake loads together with the wind loads considerations
have a huge impact on the design result. In fact, most of the building design result is
governs with the seismic loads. But what does the code says about the design of building in
terms of earthquake load consideration?
In this article, we will learn the Seismic Analysis provisions as specified in the Uniform
Building Code-97 (UBC-97). We will summarize the different seismic parameters that we
often use in the Seismic Analysis. These parameters are specified below; most of the
images here are an excerpt from the UBC-97 code.
Determination of Linear Static Seismic Lateral Force using UBC-97 Code:
1. Design Base Shear (V):
Base Shear (V) is the total design lateral force or shear at the base of the structure. The
design base shear in a given direction is specified by the formula:
where:
T: Fundamental Period of the structure in the direction under consideration.
I: Seismic importance factor.
Cv: Numerical coefficient depends on the soil conditions at the site and the seismicity of the
region.
W: Seismic Dead Load
R: Factor which accounts for the ductility and over-strength of the structural system
The design base shear is depending on the seismic zone factor (Z). The base shear
specified previously is subjected to three limits:
The total design base shear need not exceed:
and shall not be less than:
where:
Ca: Another seismic coefficient depending on the soil conditions at the site and regional
seismicity.
In the highest zone seismicity (Zone – 4) the base shear must be greater than:
where:
Nv: Near – source factor that depends on the proximity to an activity of known faults near
the structure.
READ ALSO: How to Determine Torsional Irregularities in Buildings
2. Seismic Zone Factor (Z):
There are five seismic zones consideration and defined in table 16-I of UBC-97 code. The
numerical values of Z are:
The value of the coefficient thus normalized can be viewed as the peak ground acceleration
(Z), in percent of gravity, in each zone.
3. Seismic Importance Factor (I)
The importance factor (I) is used to increase the margin of safety for essential and
hazardous facilities. For such structures I=1.25.
Essential structures are those that must remain operative immediately following an earthquake
such as emergency treatment areas and fire stations.
Hazardous facilities include those housing toxic or explosive substances.
Below are the excerpts of Table 16-K from UBC-97
4. Structure Period (T):
The building period may be determined by analysis or using the empirical formulas. A single
empirical formula may be used for all framing systems:
Where:
Ct= 0.035 (0.0853) for steel moment-resisting frames.
Ct= 0.030 (0.0731) for reinforce concrete moment-resisting frames.
Ct= 0.020 (0.0488) for all other buildings.
5. Structural System Coefficient (R):
The structural system coefficient, R is a measure of the ductility and over-strength of the
structural system, based primarily on the performance of similar systems in past
earthquakes. A higher number has the effect of reducing the design base shear. For
example, for a steel special moment resisting frame the factor has a value of 8.5, while an
ordinary moment resisting frame the value is 4.5. This reflects the fact that a special
moment resisting frame is expected to perform better during an earthquake.
The values of R for various structural systems are found in UBC-97 table 16-N as shown on
the image below.
6. Seismic Dead Load (W):
The dead load W used to calculate the base shear, includes not only the total dead load of
the structures but also partitions, 25% of the floor live load in storage and warehouse
occupancies and the weight of snow when the design snow load is greater than 30 pounds
per square foot. The snow load may be reduced by up to 75% if its duration is short. The
rationale for including a portion of the snow load in heavy snow areas is the fact that in
these areas a significant amount of ice can build up and remain on roofs.
READ ALSO: Understanding Seismic Parameters
7. Seismic Coefficients (Cv and Ca):
The seismic coefficients, Cv and Ca are measures of the expected ground acceleration at
the site. They may be found in Tables 16-Q and Tables 16-R of UBC code (see image
below) respectively. The coefficient, and hence the expected ground accelerations are
dependent on the seismic zone and soil profile type. Therefore they reflect regional
seismicity and soil conditions at the site. Additionally, in seismic zone 4, they also depend
on the seismic source type and near source factors Na and Nv. These factors reflect local
seismicity in the region of highest seismic activity.
8. Soil Profile Types (S):
The soil profile type reflects the effect of soil conditions at the site on ground motion. They
are found in the table16-J as shown on the table below and are labeled SA, through SF.
9. Seismic Source Type:
The seismic source type is used to specify the capability and activity of faults in the
immediate vicinity of the structure. It is used only in seismic zone 4. The seismic source
types, labeled A, B or C, are found in the table16-U below. They have defined in terms of
the slip rate of the fault and the maximum magnitude earthquake it is capable of generating.
10. Near Source Factors (Na and Nv):
The near-source factors Na and Nv are found on the table 16-S and table 16-T respectively
as shown below. In seismic zone 4, they are used in conjunction with the soil profile type to
determine the seismic coefficients Cv and Ca.
READ ALSO: Scaling of Base Shear Results of Static and Dynamic Analysis
11. Distribution of Lateral Forces (Fx):
The base shear V, as determined earlier, is distributed over the height of the structure as a
force at each level Fi, plus an additional force Ft at the top:
An additional force at the top is determined by:
where:
Ft= 0.07TV ≤ 0.25V if T≤0.7sec
Ft= 0 if T≤0.7sec
Ft accounts for the greater participation of higher modes in the response of longer period
structures. The remaining portion of the total base shear (V – Ft) is distributed over the
height, including the top, by the formula:
where:
w: weight at a particular level.
H: height of a particular level above the shear base.
At each floor, the force is located at the center of mass.
12. Story Shear (Vx) and Overturning Moment (Mx):
The story shear at level x is the sum of all the story forces Ft and Fx above that level:
The design must be checked as well according to the overturning moment at the shear of
each level. The overturning moment at a particular level, Mx is the sum of the moments of
the story forces above, about that level. Hence:
