SEISMIC LOAD DESIGN

At the end of the session the students would be able to:

1. Apply the standard codes from the National Structural Code of the
Philippines 2015
2. Determine seismic loads acting on the structure
3. Use the proper formula in the application
SEISMIC DESIGN CRITERIA
This table is used to determine
what occupancy category is the
structure. For example, the
building is a hospital, then it is
under essential facilities,
category I.
The seismic importance factor is
one of the parameters needed in
determining the base shear of a
structure. So if a structure lies at
category I then its importance
factor is 1.50.
Seismic zone factor is also a parameter in
determining the base shear. So we need to the
determine what zone does the structure is located.
For example the structure is located in Davao, then it
lies at seismic zone 4. However, if it is located in
Palawan then it lies at seismic zone 2.

See map for its location.

The soil type is also one of the
parameters in determining the
base shear. The type of soil
that the structure lies is one
of the primary factors that can
cause damage to the
structure.
Seismic source type is a
parameter in determining the
base shear. The seismic
source type depends on the
magnitude of the earthquake.
For example, the magnitude is
7.2 then it lies at seismic
source type A.
Seismic coefficients Ca and Cv
are parameters in determining
the base shear. The soil profile
type and seismic zone are
needed to determine its value.
Example: if soil type is SD and
it lies in seismic zone 2, then
Ca is 0.28. However if it lies in
seismic zone 4, the value is
0.44Na. Where Na is the near
source factor. So if the seismic
source type is A and its
distance from the source is
greater than 10km, then its
value is 1.0.
R is numerical
coefficient of
global ductility
capacity.
SEISMIC LATERAL LOADS
 Fn + Ft
Design Base
Shear
F3

F2
hn

F1 W1

h1

M
Where:
V = base shear
Cv = seismic coefficient (Table 208-8)
I = Seismic Importance factor (Table 208-1)
W = total seismic dead load
R = inherent over-strength and global ductility capacity
(Table 208-11)
T = Elastic fundamental period ; T = Ct (hn)3/4
(Section 208.5.2.2, eq 208-12)
Ct = 0.0853 for steel moment-resisting frames
= 0.0731 for concrete moment-resisting frames and
eccentrically braced frames
= 0.0488 for all other buildings (Section 208.5.2.2)
NSCP specs Vmin ≤ V ≤ Vmax
For Occupancy Category IV and V
•Building of any occupancy (including single-family
dwellings) not more than three-storey in height
excluding basements, which use light-frame
construction.
•Other buildings not more than two- storey in height
excluding basements. Use,
 Distribution of Force

Base shear is equal to the sum of the Fx

and Ft

The lateral force per level is computed

using this formula.

The concentrated load force Ft at the top

in addition to Fn
 F1, F2, F3, F4, F5=Fx ( lateral force per level)
Ft addition to Fn

Fn – lateral force of the upper most level

h1, h2, h3, h4, h5 = hx ( height per level from

the ground level)

w1, w2, w3, w4, w5 = wx ( weight per level)

Steps in determining the seismic lateral loads

1. Determine the parameters in computing the base shear.

2. Determine the base shear,
3. Compare V with Vmin and Vmax.
Vmin ≤ V ≤ Vmax

4. If V is greater than Vmax, then use Vmax. If V is lesser than

Vmin, then use Vmin.
5. Solve for the shear of one frame , where n is the number of
frames
6. Solve for the lateral force of every single frame
Sample Problem

A hospital will be constructed in Palawan on a soft rock

foundation. It will be made of structural steel with special
moment-resisting frame. No earthquake higher than 3.5
magnitude was recorded closer than 25km from the building site.
Determine the seismic forces on the building frame along the E-
W direction.
Level weight
4 3200 kN
3 4000 kN
2 4000 kN
1 4500 kN
In the North – South
direction, there are 3m

4 frames with 5 bays

3m
and in the East –
West direction, there 3m

are 6 frames with 3 4m

bays

N
 F4 + Ft

Solution: 3m
F3

3m
Single frame in the F2

East – West direction 13m

F1 3m

4m

West East

V
Solve for the total load of the structure, Wxhx and ∑Wihi

Wx hx Wx(hx)
W1 = 4500kN h1 = 4m W1h1 = 18000kNm
W2 = 4000kN h2 = 7m W2h2 = 28000kNm
W3 = 4000kN h3 = 10m W3h3 = 40000kNm
W4 = 3200kN h4 = 13m W4h4 = 41600kNm

WT = 15700kN ∑Wihi = 127600kNm

Solve for the base shear

Determine the other parameters

Where:
Cv = 0.32 (soil type Sc, seismic zone 2)
I = 1.50 (for essential facilities category I)
W = 15700kN
R = 8.0 for steel special moment resisting frame
T = Ct (hn)3/4 , Ct = 0.0853 for steel moment-resisting frames , hn = 13m
T = (0.0853) (13)3/4 = 0.584sec
 0.32 1.5 15700
𝑉= = 1613.01𝑘𝑁 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙
8.0 0.584
Check the base shear value by comparing Vmin ≤ V ≤ Vmax

Where: Ca = 0.24 (for soil type Sc , seismic zone 2

 2.5 0.24 1.5 15700
𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 = = 1766.25𝑘𝑁
8.0

𝑉𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 0.11𝐶𝑎 𝐼𝑊 = 0.11 0.24 1.5 15700 = 621.72𝑘𝑁

Since, Vmin < V < Vmax thus OK!


Use base shear, V = 1613.01 kN.
 For every single frame:

Where:
VESF = base shear for every single frame
V = base shear obtained
N = number of frames in considered direction
There are 6 frames in the East – West direction parallel to the shear.
Therefore,

1613.01
𝑉𝐸𝑆𝐹 = = 268.84𝑘𝑁
6
Since T = 0.584sec < 0.70 sec thus Ft = 0

Fx for the whole structure

Fx for one frame

 268.84 − 0 18000
𝐹1 = = 37.92𝑘𝑁
127600
268.84 − 0 28000
𝐹2 = = 58.99𝑘𝑁
127600
268.84 − 0 40000
𝐹3 = = 84.28𝑘𝑁
127600
268.84 − 0 41600
𝐹4 = = 87.65𝑘𝑁
127600
 F4 + Ft =87.65 kN

3m

F3 = 84.28kN

3m

F2 = 58.99 kN
13m
3m

F1 = 37.92kN

4m

Check:
F1 + F2 + F3 + F4 + Ft = VESF
37.92+ 58.99 + 84.28 + 87.65 = VESF West East
VESF =268.84 kN = 268.84 kN , Ok!
VESF = 268.84 kN ( Calculated)
A public school building will be constructed in Davao on a soft rock foundation. It will be made of
reinforced concrete with special moment-resisting frame. No earthquake higher than 6.7
magnitude was recorded closer than 10km from the building site. Determine the seismic forces on
the building frame along the N-S direction.

Level weight
3m
4 4100 kN
3 4500 kN 3m

2 4500 kN
3m
1 4800 kN
4m