Example 4.

4
A frame column is exposed to the following axial loads:
PDL = 160 Kips, PLL = 89 Kips, PE = +/- 60 Kips.
The maximum and minimum strength loads for the column is equal to:
A)
B)
C)
D)

240
341
395
405

Kips
Kips
Kips
Kips

and
and
and
and

109
84
151
131

Kips
Kips
Kips
Kips

Example 4.5
Which of the following statements is incorrect?
A) The ASD and LRFD are acceptable in the seismic design of steel structures.
B) Seismic forces and wind forces can be combined according to the load
combinations for ASD and LRFD.
C) The uplift seismic load combination includes a dead load factor less than one.
D) Reduced live load is combined with dead load and seismic forces.
Example 4.6
Continuous load path means which of the following?
A) The location of the loads relative to the continuous centerline of the axially
loaded members.
B) Seismic forces and wind forces can continuously be transferred from
diaphragms to lateral bracing elements.
C) Structural members and connections are capable of transferring the forces
from floors and roof framing to the foundation without losing the structural
integrity.
D) None of the above
4.3

CBC 2010 Seismic Coefficients for Earthquake Design Forces

The California Building Code 2010 adopts the ASCE 7-05 guidelines in
determining the seismic design forces. Section 1.3 includes the factors affecting
the seismic forces which are: Site Factors and Building Factors. The ASCE 7-05
provides the seismic parameters that cover the site factors.

4.3.1 Seismic Parameters and Coefficients

The California Building Code 2010 adopts the ASCE 7-05 guidelines in
determining the seismic parameters. The seismic parameters are used to
determine the design earthquake forces on building and non-building structures.
4.3.2 Mapped Acceleration Parameters (CBC 1613.5.1)
The seismic parameters Ss and S1 shall be determined from the 0.2-second and
1-second spectral response acceleration. These values can be determined using
the following hazard maps or the software prepared by the USGS. The seismic
parameters are based on the location of the structure identified by the latitude
and longitude.
Seismic Design of Structures:
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www.capecc.com

4.5

The maps are developed for the Maximum Considered Earthquake, MCE that
has a probability of 2% in 50 years to be exceeded with a damping ratio of 5%.
Ss and S1

Figure 1613.5 (1) to 1613.5 (14) Spectral Acceleration

Ss
S1

Figure 1613.5 (3)

Figure 1613.5 (4)

Pages 37 and 38
Pages 39 and 40

0.2 Sec
1.0 Sec

CA
CA

4.3.3 Site Class (CBC 1613.5.2)

It is a classification assigned to a site based on the types of soils present and
their engineering properties as defined in Section 1613.5.2 and presented in
Table 1613.5.2.
Table 1613.5.2 Site Class Definitions
SITE
CLASS

SOIL PROFILE
NAME

A
B
C
D
E
E

Hard rock
Rock
Very dense soil &
soft rock
Stiff soil profile
Stiff soil profile
-

AVERAGE PROPERTIES IN TOP 100 FT

SEE SECTION 1613.5.5
Soil shear wave
Standard penetration Soil undrained shear strength,
velocity, s, (ft/s)
resistance,
u,(psf)
s > 5000
N/A
N/A
2500 < s < 5000
N/A
N/A
1200 < s < 2500
>50
u2000
600 s 2500
15 50
1000u2000
s < 600
<50
u<1000
Any profile with more than 10 feet of soil having the following characteristics:
1. Plasticity index PI> 20.
2. Moisture content w 40%. and
3. Undrained shear strength u< 500 psf
Any profile containing soils having one or more of the following
characteristics:
1. Soils vulnerable to potential failure or collapse under seismic loading such as
liquefiable soils, quick and highly sensitive clays, collapsible weakly cemented
soils.
2. Peals and/or highly organic clays (H > 10 feet of peat and/or highly organic
clay where H = thickness of soil)
3. Very high plasticity clays (H>25 feet with plasticity index PI> 75)
4. Very thick soft/medium stiff clays (H> 120 feet)

Assume Site Class D unless noted otherwise.

Seismic Design of Structures:
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Nagi Abo-Shadi, PhD, SE
www.capecc.com

4.6

Seismic Design of Structures:

Your Guide for the California Civil Engineering Exam
Nagi Abo-Shadi, PhD, SE
www.capecc.com

4.7

Seismic Design of Structures:

Your Guide for the California Civil Engineering Exam
Nagi Abo-Shadi, PhD, SE
www.capecc.com

4.8

Seismic Design of Structures:

Your Guide for the California Civil Engineering Exam
Nagi Abo-Shadi, PhD, SE
www.capecc.com

4.9

Seismic Design of Structures:

Your Guide for the California Civil Engineering Exam
Nagi Abo-Shadi, PhD, SE
www.capecc.com

4.10

Example 4.7
A soil that allows a shear wave velocity of 4,300 km/hr would qualify to which of
the site classes:
A)
B)
C)
D)

A
B
C
D

4.3.4 Site Coefficients (CBC 1613.5.3)

The CBC provides adjustment factors Fa and Fv to the mapped acceleration
parameters Ss and S1.
Fa
Fv

Table 1613.5.3(1)
Table 1613.5.3(2)

Table 1613.5.3(1) Values of Site Coefficient Faa

Mapped Spectral Response Acceleration at Short Period
Ss< 0.25
Ss= 0.50
Ss= 0.75
Ss= 1.00
Ss 1.25
A
0.80
0.80
0.80
0.80
0.80
B
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
C
1.20
1.20
1.10
1.00
1.00
D
1.60
1.40
1.20
1.10
1.00
E
2.50
1.70
1.20
0.90
0.90
F
Determine values in accordance with Section 11.4.7 ASCE 7-05 (site response analysis req'd)
a. Use straight-line interpolation for intermediate values.

Site Class

Table 1613.5.3(2) Values of Site Coefficient FVa

Site Class

S1< 0.1

Mapped Spectral Response Acceleration at 1-Sec Period

S1= 0.2
S1= 0.3
S1= 0.4

S10.5
A
0.80
0.80
0.80
0.80
0.80
B
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
C
1.70
1.60
1.50
1.40
1.30
D
2.40
2.00
1.80
1.60
1.50
E
3.50
3.20
2.80
2.40
2.40
F
Determine values in accordance with Section 11.4.7 ASCE 7-05 (site response analysis req'd)
a. Use straight-line interpolation for intermediate values.

4.3.5 Adjusted Maximum Considered Earthquake Response Spectra

(CBC 1613.5.3)
SMS = Fa Ss
SM1 = Fv S1
4.3.6 Design Spectral Response Acceleration Parameters (CBC 1613.5.4)
SDS = 2/3 SMS
SD1 = 2/3 SM1

Seismic Design of Structures:

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www.capecc.com

4.11

4.4

CBC 2010 Response Spectra

The California Building Code specifies standard response spectra to be used for
determining the building spectral acceleration based on the building nature
period, T (Figure 4.1). The parameters needed to develop the code design
response spectra are provided below.
Ts = SD1 / SDS
To = 0.2 Ts
PGA = 0.40 SDS
For T < To

Sa SDS (0.40 0.60

Figure 4.1

Figure 4.2

T
)
To

2010 CBC Response Spectra

Long Transition Period, TL, (Sec)

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4.12

4.5

Seismic Design Category (CBC 1613.5.6)

The CBC 2010 specifies six (6) seismic design categories based on the site
seismic parameters and the occupancy category. Each Seismic Design
Category, SDC indicates certain seismic design provisions.
When S1 is more than or equal to 0.75 g;
VALUE OF S1

S1 >= 0.75 g

OCCUPANCY CATEGORY

I or II
E

III
E

IV
F

Otherwise, use Tables 1613.5.6 (1) and 1613.5.6 (2)

Table 1613.5.6(1)
Seismic Design Category Based on Short-Period Response Accelerations
VALUE OF SDS

SDS < 0.167 g

0.167 g SDS < 0.33 g
0.33 g SDS < 0.50 g
0.50 g SDS

OCCUPANCY CATEGORY

I or II
A
B
C
D

III
A
B
C
D

IV
A
C
D
D

Table 1613.5.6(2)
Seismic Design Category Based on 1-Second Period Response Acceleration
VALUE OF SD1

SD1 < 0.067 g

0.067 g SD1 < 0.133 g
0.133 g SD1 < 0.20 g
0.20 g SD1

OCCUPANCY CATEGORY

I or II
A
B
C
D

III
A
B
C
D

IV
A
C
D
D

Tables 4.1 to 4.4 are developed to reduce the time used to determine the seismic
coefficients, parameters and seismic design category.
Table 4.1
Table 4.2
Table 4.3
Table 4.3

Site Coefficient, Fa
Site Coefficient, Fv
Site Coefficient, SDS
Site Coefficient, SD1

Give, 1) Ss
Give, 1) S1
Give, 1) Ss
Give, 1) S1

&
&
&
&

2) Site Class
2) Site Class
2) Site Class
2) Site Class

Example: Seismic Design Category

(A)
indicates
A for all Occupancy Categories
(B/C) indicates
B for Occupancy CAT I, II and III and
C for Occupancy CAT IV

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4.13

Table 4.1
SS
0.20
0.25
0.30
0.35
0.40
0.45
0.50
0.55
0.60
0.65
0.70
0.75
0.80
0.85
0.90
0.95
1.00
1.05
1.10
1.15
1.20
1.25
1.30
Table 4.2
S1
0.05
0.10
0.15
0.20
0.25
0.30
0.35
0.40
0.45
0.50
0.55
0.60
0.65
0.70
0.75
0.80

Site Coefficient, Fa
A
0.800
0.800
0.800
0.800
0.800
0.800
0.800
0.800
0.800
0.800
0.800
0.800
0.800
0.800
0.800
0.800
0.800
0.800
0.800
0.800
0.800
0.800
0.800

B
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000

Site Class
C
1.200
1.200
1.200
1.200
1.200
1.200
1.200
1.180
1.160
1.140
1.120
1.100
1.080
1.060
1.040
1.020
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000

D
1.600
1.600
1.560
1.520
1.480
1.440
1.400
1.360
1.320
1.280
1.240
1.200
1.180
1.160
1.140
1.120
1.100
1.080
1.060
1.040
1.020
1.000
1.000

E
2.500
2.500
2.340
2.180
2.020
1.860
1.700
1.600
1.500
1.400
1.300
1.200
1.140
1.080
1.020
0.960
0.900
0.900
0.900
0.900
0.900
0.900
0.900

B
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000

Site Class
C
1.700
1.700
1.650
1.600
1.550
1.500
1.450
1.400
1.350
1.300
1.300
1.300
1.300
1.300
1.300
1.300

D
2.400
2.400
2.200
2.000
1.900
1.800
1.700
1.600
1.550
1.500
1.500
1.500
1.500
1.500
1.500
1.500

E
3.500
3.500
3.350
3.200
3.000
2.800
2.600
2.400
2.400
2.400
2.400
2.400
2.400
2.400
2.400
2.400

Site Coefficient, Fv
A
0.800
0.800
0.800
0.800
0.800
0.800
0.800
0.800
0.800
0.800
0.800
0.800
0.800
0.800
0.800
0.800

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4.14

Table 4.3
SS
0.20
0.25
0.30
0.35
0.40
0.45
0.50
0.55
0.60
0.65
0.70
0.75
0.80
0.85
0.90
0.95
1.00
1.05
1.10
1.15
1.20
1.25
1.30
Table 4.4
S1
0.05
0.10
0.15
0.20
0.25
0.30
0.35
0.40
0.45
0.50
0.55
0.60
0.65
0.70
0.75
0.80

Design Spectral Response Acceleration Parameter, SDS

Site Class
A
B
C
D
0.107 (A)
0.133 (A)
0.160 (A)
0.213(B/C)
0.133 (A)
0.167(B/C)
0.200(B/C)
0.267(B/C)
0.160 (A)
0.200(B/C)
0.240(B/C)
0.312(B/C)
0.187(B/C)
0.233(B/C)
0.280(B/C)
0.355(C/D)
0.213(B/C)
0.267(B/C)
0.320(B/C)
0.395(C/D)
0.240(B/C)
0.300(B/C)
0.360(C/D)
0.432(C/D)
0.267(B/C)
0.333(C/D)
0.400(C/D)
0.467(C/D)
0.293(B/C)
0.367(C/D)
0.433(C/D)
0.500 (D)
0.320(B/C)
0.400(C/D)
0.464(C/D)
0.528 (D)
0.347(C/D)
0.433(C/D)
0.494(C/D)
0.555 (D)
0.373(C/D)
0.467(C/D)
0.523 (D)
0.579 (D)
0.400(C/D)
0.500 (D)
0.550 (D)
0.600 (D)
0.427(C/D)
0.533 (D)
0.576 (D)
0.629 (D)
0.453(C/D)
0.567 (D)
0.601 (D)
0.657 (D)
0.480(C/D)
0.600 (D)
0.624 (D)
0.684 (D)
0.507 (D)
0.633 (D)
0.646 (D)
0.709 (D)
0.533 (D)
0.667 (D)
0.667 (D)
0.733 (D)
0.560 (D)
0.700 (D)
0.700 (D)
0.756 (D)
0.587 (D)
0.733 (D)
0.733 (D)
0.777 (D)
0.613 (D)
0.767 (D)
0.767 (D)
0.797 (D)
0.640 (D)
0.800 (D)
0.800 (D)
0.816 (D)
0.667 (D)
0.833 (D)
0.833 (D)
0.833 (D)
0.693 (D)
0.867 (D)
0.867 (D)
0.867 (D)

E
0.333(C/D)
0.417(C/D)
0.468(C/D)
0.509 (D)
0.539 (D)
0.558 (D)
0.567 (D)
0.587 (D)
0.600 (D)
0.607 (D)
0.607 (D)
0.600 (D)
0.608 (D)
0.612 (D)
0.612 (D)
0.608 (D)
0.600 (D)
0.630 (D)
0.660 (D)
0.690 (D)
0.720 (D)
0.750 (D)
0.780 (D)

Design Spectral Response Acceleration Parameter, SD1

Site Class
A
B
C
D
0.027 (A)
0.033 (A)
0.057 (A)
0.080(B/C)
0.053 (A)
0.067(B/C)
0.113(B/C)
0.160(C/D)
0.080(B/C)
0.100(B/C)
0.165(C/D)
0.220 (D)
0.107 (B/C)
0.133(C/D)
0.213 (D)
0.267 (D)
0.133(C/D)
0.167(C/D)
0.258 (D)
0.317 (D)
0.160(C/D)
0.200 (D)
0.300 (D)
0.360 (D)
0.187(C/D)
0.233 (D)
0.338 (D)
0.397 (D)
0.213 (D)
0.267 (D)
0.373 (D)
0.427 (D)
0.240 (D)
0.300 (D)
0.405 (D)
0.465 (D)
0.267 (D)
0.333 (D)
0.433 (D)
0.500 (D)
0.293 (D)
0.367 (D)
0.477 (D)
0.550 (D)
0.320 (D)
0.400 (D)
0.520 (D)
0.600 (D)
0.347 (D)
0.433 (D)
0.563 (D)
0.650 (D)
0.373 (D)
0.467 (D)
0.607 (D)
0.700 (D)
0.400(E/F)
0.500(E/F)
0.650(E/F)
0.750(E/F)
0.427(E/F)
0.533(E/F)
0.690(E/F)
0.800(E/F)

E
0.117(B/C)
0.233 (D)
0.335 (D)
0.427 (D)
0.500 (D)
0.560 (D)
0.607 (D)
0.640 (D)
0.720 (D)
0.800 (D)
0.880 (D)
0.960 (D)
1.040 (D)
1.120 (D)
1.200(E/F)
1.280(E/F)

Seismic Design of Structures:

Your Guide for the California Civil Engineering Exam
Nagi Abo-Shadi, PhD, SE
www.capecc.com

4.15