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CHAPER III - B
SEISMIC, EARTHQUAKE FORCES ANALYSIS

3.21 DESIGN BASE SHEAR

Determine the design base shear for a five-storey concrete special moment
resisting frame building. The following information is given:
Zone 4, Z = 0.4
Seismic Source Type = A
Distance to seismic source = 10 km
Soil Profile Type = SC
I = 1.0; R = 8.5; W = 7300 kN

Calculations and Discussions

Determine the structure period T using Method A.
For concrete moment-resisting frames,
Ct is 0.0731
𝑇 = 𝐶𝑡 (ℎ𝑛)3/4 (NSCP 208-8)
T= 0.0731(25)3/4 = 0.81 sec
Find near source factors Na and Nv from Tables 208-4 and 208-5 for Seismic
Source Type A and distance to seismic source of 10 km.
Na = 1.0
Nv = 1.2

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Determine seismic coefficients Ca and Cv from Tables 208-7 and 208-8 for soil
profile type SC and Zone 4.
Ca = 0.40Na = 0.40(1.0) = 0.40
Cv = 0.56Nv = 0.56(1.2) = 0.672

Determine the Base Shear:

The total design base shear in a given direction is:
CvI
𝑉=
RT
W (NSCP Equation 208 − 4)

0.672(1.0)
𝑉= (7300) = 712 kN
8.5(0.81)
But the code indicates that the total design base need not exceed the following:
2.5Ca 2. ,5 ( 0.4 ) (1.0)
V=
R
W= (7,300 kN) = 859.8 kN
8.5
And that the bases shear shall not be less than the following:
𝑉 = 0.11𝐶𝑎𝐼𝑊 (NSCP Equation 208-6)
V = 0.11(0.40) (1.0) (7300) = 321 kN
And in Seismic Zone 4, the total design base shear shall also be not less than:
𝑉 = 0.8𝑍𝑁𝑣 𝐼 𝑅 𝑊 (𝑁𝑆𝐶𝑃 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 208 − 7)
𝑉 = 0.8(0.40) (1.2) (1.0) 8.5 (7300) = 330 kN
Therefore, the governing design base shear for this example is:
V = 712 kN

Structure Period, T:
Using Method, A, determine the period for each of the structures shown
below using Method A. Method A period calculations involves the following
expression:
𝑇 = 𝐶𝑡 (ℎ𝑛 )3/4 (NSCP 208-8)
Where coefficient Ct depends on the type of structural system used. The code also
allows the use of Method B provided the value of T from Method B shall not
exceed a value of 30 percent greater than the value of T obtained from Method A
in Seismic Zone 4.

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1. Steel special moment-resisting frame structure

2. Concrete special moment-resisting frame structure

Calculations and Discussions

1. Steel special moment-resisting frame structure NSCP Section 208.5.2.
The height of the structure above its base is 30m with a basement 6m from the
ground level. The height below the ground will not be included in determining
hn for calculating the period T.
Ct = 0.0853 for steel SMRF
𝑇 = 𝐶𝑡 (ℎ𝑛)3/4 = 0.0853(30)3/4 = 1.09 sec 2.

2. Concrete special moment-resisting frame structure NSCP Section 208.5.2.2

The height of the tallest part of the building is 12 meters. Roof penthouses are
generally not considered in determining hn for period calculations, but heights
of setbacks are included. However, if setback represents more than 130 percent

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change in the lateral force system dimension, then there is a vertical geometric
irregularity (Table 208-9).
Ct = 0.0731 for concrete SMRF (Special Moment Resisting Frame)
𝑇 = 𝐶𝑡 (ℎ𝑛)3/4 = 0.0731(12)3/4 = 0.47 sec

3.22 Simplified Design Base Shear

Determine the base shear and the design lateral forces for a two-storey reinforced
concrete SMRF office building using the simplified design base shear given the
following information.
Zone 4, Z = 0.4
Seismic source Type = C Soil profile type unknown
R = 8.5
W = 1500 kN

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Calculations and Discussions

1. Check the applicability of the simplified method. NSCP Section 208.4.8.1 The
simplified static lateral-force procedure may be used for the following
structures of Occupancy Category IV or V:
a. Buildings of any occupancy (including single-family dwellings) not more than
three storeys in height excluding basements that use light frame construction.
b. Other buildings not more than two stories in height excluding basements.
Since our building is covered by 1.b., we can use the simplified method.

2. Determine Base Shear Since soil properties are not known, the suggested soil
profile type SD shall be used per NSCP 2001 Section 208.4.3.
Na = 1.0 NSCP Table 208-4
Ca = 0.44Na NSCP Table 208-7
Ca = 0.44(1.0) = 0.44 𝑉 = 3.0 𝐶𝑎 𝑅 𝑊 NSCP Equation 208-1
𝑉 = 3.0(0.44) 8.5 𝑊 = 0.155𝑊 = 0.155(1500) = 233 𝑘𝑁

3. Determine the lateral force at each level,

3.0Ca 3.0(0.44)
𝐹𝑥 =
R
Wx = 8.5
W = 0.155W
𝐹1 = 0.155(900) = 144 𝑘𝑁
𝐹2 = 0.155(600) = 89 𝑘𝑁

Commentary:

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Computing the design base shear using the standard method will yield smaller
values:
2.5Ca 2.5(0.44)
𝑉=
R
W= 8.5
W = 0.117𝑊
𝑉 = 0.177(1500) = 175 𝑘𝑁

It is noticeable that from this example, the design base shear value using the
simplified method is approximately 33 percent higher than that using the
standard method.
233
175
= 1.33

3.23 Combination of Structural Systems: Along Different Axis

This example illustrates determination of R values for a building that has
different structural systems along different axis (i.e., directions) of the building.
In this example, a 3-storey building has concrete shear walls in one direction
and concrete moment frames in the other. Floors are concrete slab, and the
building is located in Zone 4. Determine the R value for each direction.

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Lines A and E are reinforced concrete bearing walls:

R = 4.5 Lines 1, 2 and 3 are concrete special moment-resisting frames:
R = 8.5 Calculations and Discussion
1. Determine the R value in each direction. In Zone 4, the provisions of NSCP
2015 Section 208.5.4.2 require that when a structure has bearing walls in one
direction; the R value used for the orthogonal direction cannot be greater
than that for the bearing wall system.

Therefore, use R = 4.5 in both directions.

Commentary:
The reason for this orthogonal system requirement is to provide sufficient
strength and stiffness to limit the amount of out-of-plane deformation of the
bearing wall system. A more direct approach would be to design the orthogonal
system such that the ∆M value is below the value that would result in the loss of
bearing wall capacity. The design loads for the special moment-resisting frames
are calculated using R = 4.5.

However, the frame details must comply with the requirements for the R = 8.5
system.

3.24 Combination of Structural Systems: Along the Same Axis

Occasionally, it is necessary to have different structural systems in the same
direction. This example shows how the R value is determined in such a situation.
A one-storey steel frame structure has the roof plan shown below. The structure
is located in Zone 4. Determine the R value for the N/S direction.

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Lines A and E are steel ordinary moment-resisting frames: R = 4.5

Lines B, C and D are steel ordinary braced frames: R = 5.6

Calculations and Discussion

1. Determine the R value for N/S direction.
When a combination of structural systems is used in the same direction,
NSCP 2001 Section 208.5.4.3 requires the value of R used to be not greater
than the least value of the system utilized. Therefore, use R = 4.5 for entire
structure.

3.30 Vertical Distribution of Force

A ten-storey building has a moment resisting steel frame for a lateral force-
resisting system. Find the vertical distribution of lateral forces Fx. The following
information is given:

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Zone 4; W = 18,400 kN
CV = 0.56; R = 8.5
I = 1.0; T = 1.32 sec.
V = 918.4 kN

In solving this example, the following steps are follows:

1. Determine Ft
2. Find FX at each level.

Calculations and Discussion

1. Determine Ft (NSCP Section 208.5.5) This is the concentrated force applied

at the top of the structure. It is determined as follows.
First, check that the Ft is not zero. 94 | SAE
T = 1.32 > 0.7 sec, therefore Ft > 0
Ft = 0.07TV (NSCP Equation 208-14)
Ft = 0.07(1.32) (918.4) = 84.86 kN

84.86 kN < 0.25 V = 0.25(918.4) = 229.3 kN Ok!

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Second, Find FX at each level. The vertical distribution of seismic forces is

determined from NSCP 2015 Equation 208-17

Where: (𝑉 − 𝐹𝑡) = (918.4 − 84.86) = 833.54 kN Since there are ten levels
above ground, n = 10. Therefore,

F10 = 833.54 (0.094) = 78.35kN + Ft = 78.35kN + 84.86kN = 163.21kN

3.40 Horizontal Distribution of Shear

A single storey building has a rigid roof diaphragm. Shear walls resist lateral
forces in both directions. The mass of the roof can be considered to be uniformly
distributed, and in this example, the weight of the wall is neglected.

In actual practice, particularly with concrete shear walls, the weight of the
walls should be included in the determination of the Center of Mass (CM).
The following information is given:
Design Base Shear: V = 450 kN
Wall rigidities: RA = 54 kN/mm
RB = 18 kN/mm
RC = RD = 36 kN/mm
Center of Mass: xm = 24 m, ym = 12 m

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Determine the following:

1. Eccentricity and rigidity properties.
2. Direct shear in walls A and B
3. Horizontal Irregularity requirements.
4. Torsional shear in walls A and B.
5. Total shear in walls A and B.

Calculations and Discussion

1. Eccentricity and rigidity properties.

The rigidity of the structures in the direction of applied force is the sum of
the rigidities of the wall parallel to this force.
𝑅 = 𝑅𝐴 + 𝑅𝐵
R = 54 + 18 = 72 kN/mm

The center of rigidities (CR) along the X and Y axis are;

RB( xᵐ ) 18(24 m) RB(24)
xR = = = 6.0 𝑚 ; 𝑦R = = 6.0 𝑚
RB+ RA 18+54 RB+ RA

Eccentricity, 𝑒 = 𝑥m – 𝑥R = 12 – 6 = 6.0 m
Torsional rigidity about the center of rigidity is determined as,
𝐽 = 𝑅𝐴 (6) 2 + 𝑅𝐵 (18) 2 + 𝑅𝐶 (6) 2 + 𝑅𝐷 (6) 2
= 54(6) 2 + 18(18) 2 + 36(6) 2 + 36(6) 2

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The seismic force V applied at the CM is equivalent to having V applied at

the CR together with a counter-clockwise torsion T. With the requirements
for accidental eccentricity 𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑐, the total shear on walls A and B can be
found by the addition of the direct and torsional load cases:

2. Direct shear in walls A and B

RA 54
VD,A = V= (450) = 337.5kN
RA + RB 54+18
RB 18
VD,B = V= (450) = 112.5kN
RA + RB 54+18

3. Horizontal irregularity requirements.

The determination of torsional irregularity,

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Item 1 in Table 208-10, requires the evaluation of the storey drifts in walls
A and B. This evaluation must include accidental torsion due to an
eccentricity of 4 and 5 percent of the building dimension.

eacc = 0.04(24) = 0.96 m ; eacc = 0.05(24) = 1.20 m

The corresponding initial most severe torsional shears V’ using
eacc = 0.96m and eacc = 1.20m are:
V (e−e acc)( XR)(RA) 450( 6−0.96)(6)(54)
𝑉′T,A = = = 70.875 kN
J 10,368
V (e +e acc )(24−XR)(RB) 450( 6+1.20)(18)(18)
𝑉′T,B = = =
J 10,368
106.875kN

Note: these initial shears may need to be modified if torsional irregularity

exists and the amplification factor Ax > 1.0.

The initial total shears are:

V’A = VD,A – V’T,A= 337.5 – 70.875 = 266.625 kN

(Torsional shears may be added if they are due to the reduced eccentricity
e + eacc)
V’B = VD,B + V’T,B = 112.5 + 106.875 = 219.375 kN

The resulting displacement ∆’, which for this single storey building are
also drift values, are:

∆′𝐴 = 𝑉′A /𝑅A = 266.625kN/54kN/mm = 4.94 mm

∆′B = 𝑉′B /𝑅B = 219.375kN/18kN/mm = 12.19 mm
Δ A + Δ ' B 4.94 mm +12.19 mm
'
∆′avg = = = 8.565mm
2 2
∆′max = ∆′B = 12.19
∆ ' max 12.19 mm
= = 1.42 > 1.20
∆ ' avg 8.565 mm

Therefore, torsional irregularity exists:

For required accidental torsion amplification factor;

∆' max
𝐴𝑥 = ( )²
(θacc )(∆ ' avg)

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12.19
=( )² = 1.41 < 3.0 ---Maximum Accidental
( 1.2 ) (8.565)
Torsion!

4. Torsional shear in walls A and B.

The final most severe torsional shears are determined by calculating the
new accidental eccentricity and using this to determine the torsional
shears;

eacc = 𝐴𝑥(5%𝐿) = (1.41) (0.05 x 24) = 1.692

V (e−e acc)( XR)(RA) 450( 6−1.692)(6)(54)
𝑉T,A = = = 60.58 kN
J 10,368
V (e +e acc )(24−XR)(RB) 450( 6+1.692)(18)(18)
𝑉 T,B = = =
J 10,368
108.17kN

5. Total shear in walls A and B.

Total shear in each wall is the algebraic sum of the direct and torsional
shear components.

VA = VD,A – VT,A = 337.5 – 60.58 = 276.92 kN

VB = VD,B – VT,B = 112.5 + 108.17 = 220.67 kN

Commentary
This load combination involves the direct and torsional shears, and the
“most severe” condition is as follows:

1. For the case where, torsional shear has the same sense, and is therefore
added to the direct shear, the torsional shear shall be calculated using
actual eccentricity plus the accidental eccentricity so as to give the
largest additive torsional shear

2. For the case where torsional shear has the opposite sense to that of the
direct shear and is to be subtracted, the torsional shear shall be based
on the actual eccentricity minus the accidental eccentricity so as to give
the smallest subtractive shear

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