Effective Peak Ground Acceleration (EPGA)

S MS g
EPGA=
2.5
where,
SMS = Site class modified Maximum Considered Earthquake (MCER) response acceleration
parameter for short periods

Energy Release
log 10 E=11.8 + ( 1.5 M )
where,
E = earthquake energy radiated (ergs)
M = Earthquake magnitude
1 erg = 10-7 J

Angular Frequency
K K ×g
ω=
√ √
where,
m
=
W

W = weight = m*g
ω = angular natural frequency (rad/s)
g = 32.2 ft/s2 = 386.4 in/s2

Linear Natural Frequency (f)

ω
f=
2π
where,
f = linear frequency (Hz – cycles/sec)

Natural Period (T)

1 2π W
T= =
f ω
=2 π
K ×g √
Damping Ratio
B
β=
B critical
where,
β = damping ratio (2% for flexible steel frame and 15% for light wood frame) – 0% for SDOF
B = Damping

Page 1
Risk Category
Risk Category I – Ie = 1.0
 Low hazard to human life in the event of failure as there is a probability of fewer
occupants
 Lower and/or smaller
 e.g., agricultural facilities, certain temporary facilities, minor storage facilities
Risk Category II – Ie = 1.0
 Majority of buildings
Risk Category III – Ie = 1.25
 Substantial hazard to human life in the event of failure
 Large number of occupants and/or those where occupants’ ability to exit is restrained
 Potential high density of public assembly
 E.g., prisons, Group 1-2 occupancy mental hospitals/nursing homes/etc. with >50
resident patients, detention centers, jails, prisons
 Power generating facilities, water treatment facilities for potable water, wastewater
treatment facilities
Risk Category IV – Ie = 1.5
 Essential facilities
 Hospitals with surgery or emergency treatment facilities
 Fire, rescue, ambulance, police stations, and emergency vehicle garages
 Designated earthquake, hurricane, or other emergency shelters
 Power-generating facilities & other public utility facilities required as emergency backup
facilities for Risk Category IV facilities
 Designated emergency preparedness, communication, and operation centers
 Buildings containing highly toxic materials
 Aviation control towers, air traffic control centers, and emergency aircraft hangers
 Critical national defense structures
 Water storage facilities and pump stations required to maintain water pressure for fire
suppression

Base Shear (V)

W
V =m× S a=
g
Sa
Sv =
ω
Sv Sa
Sd = = 2
ω ω
where,
V = base shear
m = mass
W = weight
Sa = Spectral Acceleration
Sv = Spectral Velocity
Sd = Spectral Displacement

Page 2
Site Class Adjusted MCER Acceleration Parameters
S MS=F a S s
S M 1=F v S1
Where,
SMS, SM1 = site class adjusted MCER acceleration parameters
Fa, Fv = site coefficients
Ss = determined from the 0.2-second (short period) mapped MCER spectral response
accelerations
S1 = determined from the 1-second mapped MCER spectral response accelerations
**Ss and S1 – 1% probability of collapse in 50 years

Design Spectral Response Acceleration Parameters

2
S DS= S MS Table 3.2
3
2
S D 1= S M 1  Table 3.3
3
where
SDS & SD1 = 5% damped design spectral response acceleration parameters at short periods and
1-second periods, respectively

Seismic Factors – R, Ω0, Cd

R=V E /V S
Ω0 =V M /V S
C d=∆ M /∆ ∆ S
where,
R = response modification coefficient
VE = elastic base shear
VM = maximum base shear
Vs = design base shear
∆ = lateral drift
Cd = deflection amplification factor

Seismic Base Shear, V

V =C s W
where,
W = seismic weight (lb)
Cs = seismic response coefficient

Seismic Response Coefficient, Cs

This equation governs when T<Ts which typically occurs with low rise and/or short period
structures (i.e., < 3 stories)
S DS
C s=
( R/ I e )

Page 3
This equation typically governs for longer period structures when Ts < T < TL but Cs minimum
per ASCE 7 (12.8-5) and (12.8-6) needs to be considered
SD1
C s= for T <T L
T ( R /I e )
This equation can apply for very long periods (i.e., very tall) structures, when T>TL but Cs
minimum per ASCE 7 (12.8-5) and (12.8-6) will typically govern over ASCE 7 (12.8-4)
SD1 T L
C s= for T >T L
T 2 ( R/ I e )
Minimum Cs
C S=0.044 S DS I e ≥ 0.1 minimum
For structures where S1 > 0.6, Cs shall not be less than:
0.5 S1
Cs≥ minimum
( R/ I e )
S D1
T s= ∧T L determined ¿ ASCE−Figure 22−12
S DS

Period Determination, T
T < 1.4Ta, where SD1>0.3
T < 1.5Ta, where SD1=0.2
T < 1.6Ta, where SD1=0.15
T < 1.7Ta, where SD1<0.1

Approximate Fundamental Period, Ta

See Appendix C
T a=C t hnx
where,
Ct and x are determined from ASCE 7 – Table 12.8-2
hn = height in feet from base to the uppermost level of the structure
Steel Moment-Resisting Frames (SMF, IMF & OMF)
T a=0.028 h0.8
n
Or alternatively (for Steel MRF structures < 12 stories and average story height > 10 feet
T a=0.1 N
where,
N = number of stories (i.e., levels) above the base
Concrete Moment-Resisting Frames (SMF, IMF & OMF)
T a=0.016 h 0.9
n
Or alternatively (for Concrete MRF structures < stories and average story height > 10 feet)
T a=0.1 N
Steel EBF, Steel BRBF, or Dual Systems with EBF & SMF –
T a=0.03 h0.75
n

Page 4
All Other Structural Systems (e.g., shear walls, CBF, Dual Systems)
T a=0.02 h0.75
n

Ts
SD1
T S=
S DS

Seismic Base Shear Spectra

Elastic Curve
V E=( R /I e ) C S W
Inelastic (Actual) Curve
V M =Ω0 C S W
IBC/ASCE 7 (ELF) Design Curve
V =C s W

Vertical Distribution of Seismic Forces, Fx

F x =C vx V
wx hkx
C vx =
∑ w i h ki
where,
Cvx = vertical distribution factor
V = seismic base shear
k = 1  for T < 0.5 seconds
k = 2  for T > 2.5 seconds
= 2  0.5 second < T < 2.5 seconds…or determine k by linear interpolation using k=0.75+0.5T
For T < 0.5 seconds
w x hx
C vx =
∑ w i hi
For T > 2.5 seconds
w x h2x
C vx =
∑ w i h 2i
Story Shear
Story Shear (Vx) in any story is the sum of the Fx forces acting above the story
V x =∑ Fi

Calculated Deflection of a Level

C d δ xe
δ x=
Ie
where,
Cd = deflection amplification factor per ASCE 7 – Table 12.2-1
δxe = deflection determined from an elastic analysis due to Fx forces

Page 5
Ie = seismic importance factor

Calculated Story Drift, Δx

Δ x =δ x −δ x−1
where,
Δx = maximum inelastic story drift
δx = the amplified deflection at top of story x (i.e., Level x)
δx-1 = the amplified deflection at bottom of story x (i.e., Level x-1)

Allowable Story Drift (Δax)

Structures < 4 Stories
Δ ax =0.025 hsx  Risk Category I or II
Δ ax =0.020 hsx  Risk Category III
Δ ax =0.015 hsx  Risk Category IV
Masonry Cantilever Shear Wall Structures
Δ ax =0.010 hsx  Risk Category I, II, III, or IV
Other Masonry Shear Wall Structures
Δ ax =0.007 h sx  Risk Category I, II, III, or IV
All Other Structures
Δ ax =0.020 hsx  Risk Category I or II
Δ ax =0.015 hsx  Risk Category III
Δ ax =0.010 hsx  Risk Category IV
where,
hsx = the story height below Level x
Moment Frames Assigned to Seismic Design Category D, E, or F
Δ x ≤ Δax / ρ for any story

P-Delta Effects
P Δx I e
θ=
V x h sx C d
where,
Px = total vertical design load (and above) Level x
Δx = design story drift occurring simultaneously the story shear Vx
Ie = Importance Factor
Vx = Seismic shear force acting between Level x and x-1
hsx = story height below Level x
Cd = deflection amplification factor
Θ = stability coefficient
Stability Coefficient
0.5
θ= ≤ 0.25
β Cd
where,

Page 6
β = 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
*When θ is greater than θmax, the structure is potentially unstable and shall be redesigned

Maximum Inelastic Response Displacement (δM)

C δ
δ M = d max
Ie
where,
Cd = the deflection amplification factor
δmax = maximum displacement
Ie = importance factor

Adjacent Structures on the Same Property Separation ( δMT)

2 2
√
δ MT = ( δ M 1 ) + ( δ M 2 )
where,
δM1 = maximum inelastic displacement of adjacent structure 1
δM2 = maximum inelastic displacement of adjacent structure 2

Horizontal Cantilevers for SDC D,E, or F

Horizontal cantilever structural members shall be designed for a minimum net upward force of
0.2 times the dead load in addition to applicable load combinations

Orthogonal Combinations Procedure

100% of the forces for one direction plus 30% of the forces for the perpendicular direction
(i.e., 100% of VN-S concurrently with 30% VE-W or VN-S concurrently with 100% VE-W

Simplified Design Procedure

2
S DS= F a S S
3
where,
Fa = 1.0 for rock sites, which may be assumed if there is < 10 ft of soil between the rock surface
and the bottom of spread footings or mat foundation. 1.4 for soil sites
Ss = mapped MCER short-period spectral acceleration but Ss need not exceed 1.5
Seismic Base Shear, V  Strength Design Force Level
F S DS
V= W
R
where,
F = 1.0 for one-story buildings (above grade plane)
= 1.1 for two-story buildings (above grade plane)
= 1.2 for three-story buildings (above grade plane)
R = Response modification factor
W = effective seismic weight

Page 7
 One-Story Building Two-Story Building Three-Story Building
1.0 S DS 1.1 S DS 1.2 S DS
V= W V= W V= W
R R R
Vertical Distribution, Fx
wx
F x= V
W
Or

F x= ( F ×RS ) w
DS
x

Diaphragms, Fpx
w px F × S DS
F px=
W
V= (
R )
w px

Horizontal Distribution of Shear, Vx

V x =∑ Fi
Drift Limits and Building Separation (Simplified Design Procedure)
δ x =0.01h x
∆ x =0.01h xx
where,
hx = the height above the base to Level x
hxx = the story height below Level x

Seismic Load Effects

E=Eh + E v or E=Eh−E v
E=ρQ E +0.2 S DS D or E=−ρ Q E −0.2 S DS D
where,
E = seismic load effect
Eh = effect of horizontal seismic forces (due to horizontal ground motions)
Ev = effect of vertical seismic forces (due to vertical ground motions)
Horizontal Seismic Load Effect, Eh
Eh =± ρ Q E
where,
QE = effects of horizontal seismic forces from the seismic base shear V
ρ = redundancy factor
Vertical Seismic Load Effect, Ev
E v =± 0.2 S DS D
Exceptions: It is permitted to use Ev = 0 for either of the following conditions:
1. In ASCE 7. Where SDS < 0.125
2. In ASCE 7 (12.4-2) where determining demands on the soil-structure interface of foundation
Seismic Load Effect Including Overstrength Factor, Ω0
Em =Emh + E v or Em =Emh−E v
Em =Ω0 QE + 0.2 S DS D or Em =−Ω 0 QE −0.2 S DS D
where,

Page 8
Em = seismic load effect including overstrength factor estimated maximum earthquake force that
can be developed in the structure
Emh = effect of horizontal seismic forces including structural overstrength (Ω0) as defined in
ASCE 7-12.4.3.1. Emh can be positive or negative due to the cyclic nature of horizontal
seismic ground motions.

Strength Design Load Combinations

LC 1=1.4 D
LC 2=1.2 D+1.6 L+0.5(Lr ∨S∨R)
LC 3=1.2( D)+1.6 ( Lr ∨S∨R ) +(1.0 L∨0.5W )
LC 4=1.2( D)+1.0 W +1.0 L+0.5(Lr ∨S∨R)
LC 5=1.2( D)+1.0E+1 .0 L+0.2 S
LC 5=1.2( D)+1.0 ( E h+ E v ) +1.0 L+ 0.2 S
LC 5=( 1.2+0.2 S DS ) D+ ρ Q E + 1.0 L+0.2 S
LC 6=0.9(D)+1.0 W
LC 7=0.9 D+1.0 E
where,
D = dead load
L = live load
Lr = roof live load
S = snow load
R = rain load
W = wind load
E = earthquake load

Allowable Stress Design Load Combinations

LC 1=D
LC 2=L+ D
LC 3=D+(Lr ∨S∨R)
LC 4=D+ 0.75 L+ 0.75(Lr∨S∨R)
LC 5=D+ ( 0.6 W ∨0.7 E )
LC 5=( 1.0+0.14 S DS ) D+0.7 ρ Q E
LC 6=( 1.0+0.10 S DS ) D+ 0.525 ρQ E +0.75 L+0.75 S
LC 6 a=D+0.75 L+0.75 ( 0.6 W ) +0.75 ( Lr ∨S∨R )
LCb=D+0.75 L+0.75 ( 0.6 E ) +0.75 S
LC 7=0.6 D+0.6 W
LC 8=0.6 D+0.7 E
LC 8=( 0.6−0.14 S DS ) D+0.7 ρ QE

Load Combination with Overstrength Factor

LC 5=( 1.2+0.2 S DS ) D+Ω 0 Q E + 1.0 L+0.2 S
LC 7=( 0.9−0.2 S DS ) D+Ω0 QE + H

Page 9
where,
H = load effects from lateral earth pressures

Inelastic Story Drifts

C d δ xe
δ x=
Ie
where,
δ xe =displacemetn obtained ¿ an elastic analysis
Cd = deflection amplification factor
Ie = importance factor

Seismic Design Force, Fp for Nonstructural Components – Strength Design

0.4 a p S DS W p z
F p=
( R p /I p ) (
1+2
h )
F p ≤ 1.6 S DS I p W p F p ≥ 0.3 S DS I p W p

where,
Fp = horizontal seismic design force
ap = component amplification factor (1.0<ap<2.5) – (ASCE 7 – Table 13.5-1 or 13.6-1)
Ip = component importance factor
Wp = component operating weight
Rp = component response factor (ASCE 7 – Table 13.5-1 or 13.6-1)
z = component point of attachment elevation
h = supporting structure average roof height relative to the base

Design for Out-of-Plane Forces on Structural Walls

F p=0.4 S DS I e W w ≥ 0.10 W w minimum

Wall Anchorage Forces

The anchorage of structural walls to supporting construction (e.g., roof or floor diaphragm)
F p=0.4 S DS K a I e W p
≥ 0.2 K a I e W p minimum
where,
Lf
K a =1.0+ ≤2.0 maximu m
100
Fp = design force in individual anchors
Lf = flexible diaphragm span (feet), use 0 for rigid diaphragm
Wp = weight of masonry or concrete wall tributary to anchor
Weight of Wall Tributary to Anchor
W p =W wall ( hw /2+h p ) for one−story walls witha parapet
W p =W wall ( hw /2 ) for one−story walls with out a parape t

Fundamental Period, T of Nonbuilding Structure

∑ w i δ2i
T =2 π
√ g ∑ f i δi

Page 10
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)
Single Degree of Freedom (SDOF) Nonbuilding Structure
W
T =2 π
Where,
√ K ×g

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)

Seismic Base Shear for Nonbuilding Structures

V =0.3❑❑

Page 11