KINGDUM OF SAUDI ARABIA

STRUCTURAL DESIGN
CRITERIA

FOR
HOUSE BUILDING
1.0 STRUCTURAL DESIGN CRITERIA

1.1 Design Codes

Structural design and analysis will be in accordance with the following

Codes and Standards:

 ACI - American Concrete Institute

 SBC - Sauidi Building Code
 AISC - American Institute of Steel Construction
 ASCE - American Society of Civil Engineers
 ASTM - American Society for Testing and Materials
 AWS - American Welding Society
 CRSI - Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute
 PCA - Portland Cement Association
 PCI - Pre-Cast Concrete Institute
 SASO - Saudi Arabian Standard Organization
 SDI - Steel Deck Institute
 SJI - Steel Joist Institute
 IBC - International Building Code
 SBC - Saudi Building Code

1.2 Design Stresses

The design stresses shall be in accordance with the applicable codes.

Reinforced concrete structures will comply with the SBC, CRSI, PCA
and ACI codes and manuals.
Pre-cast/pre-stressed concrete structures will comply with the latest
edition of the PCI, SBC, CRSI and ACI codes and manuals.

1.3 Design Loads

The types of loads considered in the structural design are described

below:

1.3.1 Dead Loads: Dead loads include the weight of all structural
framing, all construction materials permanently incorporated into
the building and supported by the framing (including built-in
partitions and permanent equipment). The vertical pressures of
liquids are also included in dead loads.
1.3.2 Live Loads: Live loads include loads due to intended use and
occupancy of an area, personnel, movable equipment, lateral
earth pressures, vehicle, aircraft, and impact loading.

Unit live loads, as listed in Figure A, are taken as the minimum

live loads for the design of structures for the occupancies listed.
For any area not listed, minimum loads are as listed in Table 4-1
of the ASCE7-05. Loads are applied in accordance with
Chapter 4 of the SBC301-07.

For elevators and other moving loads, equipment manufacturer

information will be used for wheel loads, equipment loads, and
weight of moving parts.

FIGURE A - UNIT LIVE LOADS

REFERENCE: ASCE 7-05 and SBC301-07

UNIFORM LOAD
OCCUPANCY AREA
Kn / m²
Inaccessible roof 1.00
Accessible roof 2.00
Shopping 5.00
Corridors, Stairs 5.00
Offices 3.00
Stories 5 - 10
Private rooms 2.00
Filing rooms 5.00
Mechanical Rooms 7.50 or actual equipment
weight

1.3.3 Wind Loads: Wind loads will be based on Section 6-1 of the
Saudi Building Code. Based on expected prevailing conditions
at site, all structures will be designed for a basic wind as shown
on the attached (attachment # 1).
Design wind pressures for various height zones above ground
will be calculated in accordance with combined height, exposure
and pressure coefficients given in Tables.
An importance factor of (1.15) will be used for all buildings.

1.3.4 Seismic Loads: All structures and components will be

designed in accordance with the SBC301-07 regions for
determination of the maximum considered earthquake ground
motion in KSA as shown on the attached (attachment # 2,3&4).

And an importance factor of (1.25) will be used for all buildings.

 1.3.5 Landscape Loads: Provisions will be made in the design of
facilities roofs for loads due to planters, soil, trees and shrubs.

1.3.6 Deflection: The deflection of any structure or structural

member is limited by the values set forth by any of the governing
conservative values of applicable codes and standards.

1.3.7 Stability: A minimum factor of safety against sliding or

overturning of (1.5) will be used for all structures.

1.4 Load Combinations

The various loads will be applied to the structures in combination with

factors as indicated in ACI & SBC. Each of the loads will be calculated
and the combination producing the largest resultant forces and
moments will be used in the design.

A : FACTORED LOAD COMBINATION B :SERVICE LOAD COMBINATION:

U = 1.4 (D + F) S = D + L + (Lr or R)
U = 1.4 (D + F + T) + 1.7 (L + H) S = D + L + 1.3 W
+ 0.5 (Lr or R)
U = 1.2 D + 1.6 W + f1L + 0.5 (Lr or R) S = D + L + 1.3 W/2
U = 1.2 D + 1.0 E + f1L S = D + L + E/1.4
U = 0.9 D + 1.6 W + 1.6 H S = 0.9 D + E/1.4
U = 0.9 D + 1.0 E + 1.6 H

Where:
f1 = 1.0 for floors in places of public assembly
, for live loads exceeding (5.0 kn/m²) and for garage .
f1 = 0.5 for other live loads.

1.5 Soil Design Parameters

Lateral pressure, allowable bearing capacity , and other soil and rock
design parameters will be based on recommendation of the Soil
Investigation Report.
1.6 Design Methods

All reinforced concrete structures will be designed by the ultimate

strength method, as defined in ACI , except for all sanitary engineering
structures which will be designed by working stress design method as
recommended by ACI Committee 350.
Steel structures will be designed by the working stress method, in
accordance with AISC manual of steel construction (ASD).

Applicable Computer Software

Structural design and analysis will be created by the following computer
software.

ETABS Structural analysis and design program.

SAFE Raft & Flat Plate analysis and design program.
Sap 2000 Structural analysis and design program.
Staad pro Structural analysis and design program.
PCA COL Design of Concrete columns.
Excel Sheets Home Made Structural Sheets .

1.7 Strength of Materials

1.7.1 Concrete

 Minimum Cylinder Compressive Strength at 28 days

fc' = 30 Mpa for all footings, columns, walls,
beams , suspended slabs, stairs, concrete
topping & water tanks
 Fc' = 30 Mpa for blinding concrete and slabs on grade
 Fc' = 30 Mpa for pre-cast pre-stressed concrete elements
 Type (  ) cement plus microsilica shall be used for all
reinforced concrete in contact with ground.
All others shall be type (  ) cement.

1.7.2 Reinforcing Steel Minimum Yield Strength

 fy = 420 Mpa for ASTM, A615 Grade 60, deformed main

reinforcing bars.
 fy = 420 Mpa for ASTM, A615 Grade 60, deformed bars used
as stirrups, column ties or spirals.
 fy = 500 Mpa for ASTM A185 or BS4483, for welded wire
fabric.
 fy = 1800 Mpa for ASTM A416 or BS5896, Uncoated Seven-
Wire Stress Relieved Strands for pre-stressed concrete.
 1.7.3 Structural Steel

 Minimum Yield Strength

fy = 250 Mpa for ASTM A36 hot – rolled steel structural

sections.
fy = 345 Mpa for ASTM A514 cold – formed steel structural
member

 Bolted Connections

ASTM A325 high strength bolts for primary connections and

ASTM
A307 for secondary connections and anchor bolts.

 Welded connections

ASTM E70XX low hydrogen welding electrodes. All welds

shall conform to AWS A5.1 and D1.1 Structural Welding
Code.

 Steel Roof Deck Minimum Yield Strength

fy = 225 Mpa for ASTM A611 or ASTM A446.

1.7.4 Masonry

 Nonloadbearing concrete masonry units shall conform to

ASTM C129 , Type (I) Moisture Controlled ,
with f’m = 4.14 Mpa minimum ultimate compressive strength
( average net area ) at 28 days.
 Mortar shall be in accordance with ASTM C 270, Type (N) for
interior and Type (S) for exterior.
 Vertical reinforcement shall conform to ASTM A615, Grade
60 deformed bars with fy = 415 Mpa.
 Horizontal reinforcement shall be 2 dia. 4 @ 400 truss type
or approved equal.
 Grout to be used in cores, where reinforcements are placed
shall conform to ASTM C476.

2.0 Geotechnical Investigation Analyses

Geotechnical soil investigation shall be conducted to cover all different

sites and building locations. The sub soil investigation work shall be
executed as per the technical specifications attached (attachment # 5).
3.0 Framing System

3.1 Foundation System

Foundation design based on recommendations contained in

geotechnical investigation report
Contractor is responsible to confirm these values. any variations must be
reported to the designer.
Over excavated areas under foundation must be backfilled with blinding
concrete.
All engineered fill materials shall be compacted in accordance with the
specification.
All concrete surfaces in direct contact with the soil are to be protected
with bituminous damp proofing as per the specification unless otherwise
noted.
Contractor shall undergo probing to locate presence of soil cavities,
particularly under heavily loaded columns and shear walls , and shall
execute the necessary remedial

3.2 Super structure System

* Long Span Areas

We have two alternative systems according to architectural

requirements :-

 For limited structural system height , we propose one way

High-grade steel truss to allow the passing of E/M
services through its panels , and supporting cast in
place one way slabs above it .

 Pre-cast pre-stress concrete beams , supporting cast in

place one way topping slabs.
* Other Regular Areas

 The framework for all buildings will consist of cast-in-place

reinforced concrete flat slabs with drop panels if needed and
with marginal beams .

 The reinforced concrete columns will be utilized to support

vertical loads and to resist lateral loads if required.

 Buildings to be provided by shear walls to resist lateral loads, if

needed

 Interior partitions and exterior walls are non-load bearing and

shall be of any materials to suit architectural requirements.

 There will be expansion joints at a maximum distance of

50~60 meters if required
 (attachment # 1)

REFERENCE WIND SPEED

From : National Meteorology & Environment Center

wind speed [ 141 Km/hr ]

Characteristic Wind Speed, in meters per second, at 10 meters above

ground,
with a probability of p=0.02 to be exceeded once in any one year.

Conversion factor: mps x 3.6 = --- kph

Example: 39 mps x 3.6 = 141 kph
(attachment # 2)
(attachment # 3)
(attachment # 4)
 (attachment # 5)
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
FOR
SUB-SOIL INVESTIGATION

1.0 Scope of Work:

Sub-soil investigation is required to identify the sub-surface materials

in-situ and laboratory tests.

Engineering analysis shall be made and detailed design criteria shall

be provided to design the safe and economical foundation for the
structure.

Chemical and other tests shall be performed on samples of ground

water and soil to determine corrosion potential.

Locate on site the boreholes as shown on drawing. Where obstruction

s encountered, relocate boreholes to the location advised by the
consultant.

When cavities are encountered, include recommendations on the

number of probing and layout together with cavity filling materials and
procedures.

2.0 In-Situ Tenting:

2.1 Standard Penetration Tests:

These shall be carried out in accordance with ASTM
specification D 1586-67.
These tests are to be performed at 0.75 meter intervals to a
depth of 6.00 meter and thereafter at 1.50 meter intervals or at
every change of stratum in all cohesion less soils.

2.2 Samples:
a. Disturbed samples
b. Undisturbed samples shall be taken in all cohesive soils or
mixed soil having sufficient cohesion to allow undisturbed
sampling at depth intervals of 1.5 meters.

3.0 Water Table:

All water levels encountered in the boreholes shall be recorded and

water samples shall be tested for their corrosive effect on concrete.
Based on the past experience in the area, expected rise in water level
due to local seepage shall be advised. This will be the basis of
recommendation for perimeter and or under drainage requirement and
other forces affecting structural members.
4.0 Reports and Records of Results:

All measurements shall be in SI unit. Following information shall be

recorded on the borehole logs.
a. Reference information.
b. Personnel information.
c. Equipment data.
d. All sampling and coring operations.
e. Drive samples.
f. Soil or rock coring – RQD for rock.
g. Description of materials.
h. The final depth of the bottom of the casing, the weight and height of
the hammer and the number of blows for each 300 mm of
penetration for driven casing.
i. Ground water information consisting of the depth of the water
surface in the hole.
j. The description and thickness of each type of soil or rock.
k. The results of the Standard Penetration Tests.

5.0 Laboratory Tests:

The program of laboratory testing shall be oriented toward obtaining

data pertinent to the design of the foundation system.
The laboratory tests shall be carried out in an approved laboratory.

The required tests are:

5.1 For Cohesion less Soils:

 Sieve analysis on representative samples form each stratum
encountered.
 Maximum and minimum densities on selected samples if
required.
 Chemical analysis.

5.2 For Cohesive Soil:

 Sieve analysis.
 Mechanical analysis.
 Atterberg limits.
 Natural moisture content.
 Bulk density of selected representative samples.
 Un drained tri axial shear tests.
 Chemical analysis.
 5.3 For Rock:
 Unconfined compression tests on selected rocks.
 Solubility in water.
 Chemical analysis.

5.4 Corrosion effect of water and soils on concrete.

6.0 Standards:

All works shall be carried out in accordance with the latest relevant
American Society for Testing and Materials.

7.0 Engineering Analysis and Foundation Recommendations:

The contractor shall evaluate the subsurface information obtained from

the boreholes and the data obtained from the laboratory testing and
shall recommend the most appropriate foundation type(s) for the
planned structure. The contractor shall also provide the detailed
criteria necessary for the design of foundations. Criteria for the
placement of structural fill shall also be included. The value of modulus
of sub grade reaction shall be figured out at foundation levels. These
values are required in the analysis and design of foundation.

The contractor shall make separate recommendation on foundation of

ancillary structures like boundary walls and planter walls if it differs
from the main structure’s recommendation.

8.0 After completion of drilling the boreholes and collection of required

samples, the site should be cleaned and all boreholes shall be covered
with appropriate cover.