Chapter 2

Seismic Design Philosophy

2.1 Basic Terminology

Terms that are common to all types of structures are as follows:
2.1.1 Closely Spaced Modes: Closely spaced modes [15] of a structure are those
natural modes of vibration whose natural frequencies differ from each other
by 10 percent or less of the lower frequency.

2.1.2 Design Acceleration Spectrum: It refers to an average smoothened plot of

maximum acceleration as a function of frequency or time period of vibration
for a specified damping ratio for earthquake excitations at the base of a single
degree of freedom system.

2.1.3 Design Basis Earthquake: The earthquake that can reasonably be expected to
occur at least once during the design life of the structure.

2.1.4 Design Horizontal Acceleration: It is a horizontal acceleration coefficient

times the acceleration due to gravity that shall be used in seismic design of
structures.

2.1.5 Ductility: Ductility of a structure or its members is the capacity to undergo

large inelastic deformations without significant loss of strength or stiffness.

2.1.6 Importance Factor (I): It is used to obtain the design seismic force depending
on the functional use of the structure, characterized by hazardous
consequences of its failure, its post-earthquake functional need, historic value,
or economic importance.

2.1.7 Maximum Considered Earthquake (MCE): This is the most severe

earthquake effects considered by this standard [15]. For all important projects,
and all industries dealing with highly hazardous chemicals, evaluation of site-
specific spectra for earthquake with probability of exceedence of 2 % in 50
years (MCE) and 10 % in 50 years (DBE) is recommended [16].

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2.1.8 Modal Mass: Modal mass of the structure subjected to horizontal or vertical,
as the case may be, ground motion is a part of the total seismic mass of the
structure that is effective in mode k of vibration. The modal mass for a given
mode has a unique value irrespective of scaling of the mode shape.

2.1.9 Modal Participation Factor: Modal participation factor of mode k of

vibration is the amount by which mode k contributes to the overall vibration
response of the structure under horizontal and vertical earthquake ground
motions. Since the amplitudes of 95 percent mode shapes can be scaled
arbitrarily, the value of this factor depends on the scaling used for mode
shapes.

2.1.10 Ordinary Moment Resisting Frame: It is a moment resisting frame not

meeting the special detailing requirements for the ductile behavior.

2.1.11 Response Reduction Factor (R): It is a factor by which the actual base
shear force shall be reduced to the design lateral force. The actual base shear
force is the force that would be generated if the structure were to remain
elastic during its response to the Design Basis Earthquake (DBE) shaking. The
value of ‘R’ increases with increase in ductility of the structure.

2.1.12 Response Spectrum: It is the representation of the maximum response of

idealized single degree freedom systems having certain period and damping,
during earthquake ground motion. The maximum response is plotted against
the undamped natural period and for various values of damping, and can be
expressed in terms of maximum absolute acceleration, maximum relative
velocity or maximum relative displacement.

2.1.13 Seismic Weight: It is the total dead load plus appropriate amount of
specified imposed load.

2.1.14 Special Moment Resisting Frame: It is a moment resisting frame

specially detailed to provide ductile behavior and comply with the
requirements given in [21].

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 2.1.15 Structural Response Factor (Sa/g): It is a factor denoting the acceleration
response spectrum of the structure subjected to earthquake ground vibrations,
and depends on the natural period of vibration and damping of the structure. It
is also known as average response acceleration-coefficient.

2.1.16 Zone Factor (Z): It is a factor used to obtain the design spectrum,
depending on the perceived maximum seismic risk, characterized by the
maximum considered earthquake (MCE) in the zone, where the structure is
located. The basic zone factors are reasonable estimate of effective peak
ground acceleration.

2.2 Seismic Design Philosophy

The design philosophy is to ensure that structures should possess at least a minimum
strength to satisfy following criteria:
(i) Resistance to minor earthquake (<DBE), which may occur frequently, without
damage;

(ii) Resistance to moderate earthquake (DBE) without significant structural

damage and some non-structural damage;

(iii) Resistance to major earthquake (MCE) without collapse.

Actual forces that act on structures during earthquakes are much higher than the design
forces specified in the code. The design based on strength criterion alone is not justified
and the complete protection against earthquake of all sizes is not economically feasible.
The basic criteria of earthquake resistant design should be based on lateral strength as
well as on deformability of structure with limited damage but no collapse. The design
lateral forces specified in the code shall be considered in each of the two orthogonal
directions of the structure. For structures, which have lateral force resisting elements in
the two orthogonal directions, only the design lateral force shall be considered along one
direction at a time, and not in both directions simultaneously. Structures having lateral
force resisting elements in one direction other than the two orthogonal directions shall be
analyzed considering the load combination as specified in Cl.6.3 of [15].

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A vertical inertia force generated by an earthquake is not considered unless it is
significant.

2.3 Code Based Procedure

Any code has to satisfy three main objectives namely safety, performance of function and
economy. An earthquake resistant building has four vital aspects that should be fulfilled,
namely:
(a) Good Structural Configuration: Its size, shape and structural system carrying loads
are such that they ensure a direct and smooth flow of inertia forces to the ground.
(b) Lateral Strength: The maximum lateral (horizontal) force that it can resist is such that
the damage induced in it does not result in collapse.
(c) Adequate Stiffness: Its lateral load resisting system is such that the earthquake-induced
deformations do not damage its contents under low to moderate shaking.
(d) Good Ductility: Its capacity to undergo large deformations under severe earthquake
shaking even after yielding is improved by favorable design and detailing strategies.
Seismic codes have to cover all the above aspects. The procedure of first calculating the
actual forces that may be experienced by the structure during the probable maximum
earthquake, if it has to remain elastic are adopted in [15]. Then the concept of response
reduction due to ductile deformation or frictional energy dissipation in the cracks is
considered by introducing the term response reduction factor which depends on the type
of building frame system. The design base shear as per [15] can be obtained as:
V B = AhW (2.1)
where,
V B = design seismic base shear
Ah = design horizontal seismic coefficient

W = seismic weight of the building

ZIS a (2.2)
Ah =
2 Rg

Z = zone factor
I = importance factor

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 R = response reduction factor, it depends on the lateral load resisting
system.
Sa/g = average response acceleration coefficient
2.3.1 Zone Factors: The latest zone map has now only four seismic zones II, III, IV and
V. The values of these factors as per latest code are shown in Table 2.1.

Table 2.1: Zone Factors

Seismic Zone II III IV V
Seismic Intensity Low Moderate Severe Very Severe
Z 0.10 0.16 0.24 0.36

2.3.2 Tn value: (a) Moment resistance frame without brick infill panels
Tn = 0.075 h 0.75 (for RC framed building) (2.3)
= 0.085 h 0.75 (for steel frame building)
(2.4)
where, h is the height of the building in m. This excludes the basement storey, where
basements walls are connected with the ground floor deck or fitted between the
building columns. However, it includes the basement storey.

(b) For other buildings

0.09 h
Tn = (2.5)
d
h = height of the building in m,
d = base dimension of the building at the plinth level in m, along the considered
direction of the lateral force.

2.3.3 Sa/g Value: Response spectrum shown in Fig. 2.1 is for Maximum Considered
Earthquake [15]. These spectra are for three type of founding strata namely: rock or
hard soil, medium soil and soft soil and are for 5 % damping. For other damping values,
the multiplying factors are to be used as per Table 2.2. These curves can also be
generated for 5 % damping with the help of formulas given by equations (2.6a), (2.6b),
and (2.6c).

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For rocky, or hard soil sites
Sa/g = 1+15Tn,  Tn  [0.0, 0.1] (2.6a)
= 2.5,  Tn  [0.1, 0.4]
= 1/Tn,  Tn  [0.4, 4.0]
For medium soil sites
Sa/g = 1+15Tn,  Tn  [0.0, 0.1]
(2.6b)
= 2.5,  Tn  [0.1, 0.55]
= 1.36/Tn,  Tn  [0.55, 4.0]
For soft soil sites
Sa/g = 1+15Tn,  Tn  [0.0, 0.1] (2.6c)
= 2.5,  Tn  [0.1, 0.67]
= 1.67/Tn,  Tn  [0.67, 4.0]

Table 2.2: Multiplying Factors for Other Damping Values [15]

Damping % 0 2 5 7 10 20 20 25 30
factors 3.20 1.410 1.00 0.90 0.80 0.70 0.60 0.55 0.55

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Fig. 2.1: Response Spectra for Soil Types for 5% Damping [15]

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