Preparation of Statement of Basis of Design

After interpreting the architectural plans and creating our structural framing system, the
next thing we have to do is to prepare the design criteria because this will be the core basis
of our structural design.

For the design criteria, it should always start with the front page. The front page must
always have the date first because it will tell us what version of code that was used during
the design.

For the main content of the design criteria are the loadings, the occupancy category, storey
drift limitations, foundation, material properties, and the applicable codes/references.
Other types of structures might require other contents for the design criteria but the above
contents are the minimum requirement or any content stated previously should not be
omitted or missing in a design criteria.

Loadings

1. Dead Load
 Concrete – 24kN/cu.m
 Structural Steel – 77 kN/cu.m
 25 mm Concrete Topping – 0.60 kPa
 Floor finish – 0.50 kPa
 Ceiling – 0.15 kPa
 Utilities (Water, Electrical, & Mechanical) – 0.24 kPa
 150 mm CHB exterior wall – 2.40 kPa
 100 mm CHB interior wall – 1.76 kPa
 Gypsum Board wall on metal frames – 0.38 kPa
These values are derived from the code in NSCP 2015 Table 204-1 & 2 but it is better
preferred if the values will be taken from the material specifications document, don’t just
rely from the code. It is best for us to request for the material specifications from the
manufacturers so that we can use the appropriate values based on the documents. For value
engineering, you can also use the density of concrete as 23.54 kN, which is also acceptable,
just indicate it in the design criteria.

2. Live Load
 Commercial – 2.40 kPa
 Stairways – 2.40 kPa
 Corridors – 4.80 kPa
Same goes for Live Loads, they are also available in the code particularly the NSCP 2015, in
the Table 205-1. Although values in the code for live load also includes concentrated loads,
most of the time, the uniform floor load values are being used instead because it is more
simple to apply. However, just rely on your own engineering judgement and understanding
in selecting the appropriate type of loads.

3. Wind Load – Applicable provision depending on the map for Zones. In the Philippines,
we have maps for specified occupancy category/categories on the code that identifies the
corresponding basic wind speed to be used for wind design in which interpolation is
allowed depending on the actual location of the project.
4. Seismic Load – Applicable provision depending on the map for zones is available in the
Philippines. In section 208 of the NSCP 2015, Figure 208-1, we have a map that divides the
Philippines into two zones namely zone 2 and zone 4. Palawan and Tawi-tawi are among
the few islands of the Philippines which are under zone 2 which have fewer and weaker
seismic activities while the rest part of the Philippines is under zone 4 which have more and
stronger seismic activities.
Although we apply seismic loads and wind loads separately, we have to take note that wind
and earthquake can happen simultaneously like what had happened in Japan recently. Also
be careful in assigning Palawan as zone 2 because of what is happening recently that
earthquakes are also occurring there. Let us not limit our design using the code, it is just a
guide for minimum requirement and we can amplify the loads depending on the actual
situation of the vicinity or location of the project to be constructed. The code is not a
restriction and we can adjust the values of loads even if it is not stated in the code. This is
true for waterfront facilities, towers, and power plants, they have different types of load
calculations and load combinations that are not yet stated in the code but are already
adapted into practice. We always have to utilize our engineering judgement and let us not
purely rely on the code for structural design.

5. Load Combinations
 D+L
 1.4 D
 1.2D + 1.6L + 0.5 (Lr or R)
 1.2D + 1.0W + 0.5L + 0.5(Lr or R)
 1.2D + 1.0E + 0.5L
 0.9D + 1.0W
 0.9D + 1.0E

These load combinations were taken from the NSCP 2015 which is using Ultimate Strength
Design or Load and Resistance Factored Design which is the typical loads for a building
however if you are working on a different type of structure, you may require a different set
of load combinations. Although it is not shown in the example above, Allowable Stress
Design load combinations are also used for the sizing of foundation. These load
combinations can be found at Section 203.3 and Section 203.4 of the National Structural
Code of the Philippines (NSCP 2015).

Occupancy Category

IV – Standard Occupancy Structure

Structures are most commonly categorized as occupancy category IV but we can check the
structure’s actual occupancy category in the Table 103-1 of NSCP 2015. This will later
determine the importance factors to be applied for seismic and wind load computations. If
the structure will fall on two or more category, just use or apply the highest value of
importance factor obtained from their corresponding table of references.

Storey Drift Limitation

In accordance with the 208.6.5 provision of NSCP 2015, Volume 1.

Foundation

Soil bearing capacity of [Value] kPa shall be used for gravity loading based on the
geotechnical report by [Name of Geotechnical Company].

It is stated in the code that for 2 storeys and above, you should conduct soil investigation. It
is a wrong notion that soil investigation is just an additional cost because if we assume a
value, the value assumed might be very low and it will increase the sizes in the design of the
foundations. The designer and owner will also save a lot of money and trouble if the
structure will not fail due to negligence in conducting soil investigation.

Material Properties

1. Concrete Compressive Strength in 28 days, fc’ = 35MPa

2. Structural Steel Yield Strength, fy = 248 MPa
3. Reinforcing Bar Yield Strength: for 12 mm dia. and below, fy = 275 MPa, for above 12 mm,
fy = 414 MPa.

Applicable Codes / References

1. National Structural Code of the Philippines, Volume I – 7th Edition

2. National Building Code of the Philippines, Latest Edition
3. American Concrete Institute, ACI 318-14, Building Code Requirements for Reinforced
Concrete
4. American Institute of Steel Construction
5. ASEP Steel Manual, 1st Edition

Preparation of structural design basis, drawings, analysis, and calculations is a really very
challenging task. It is very important for us, civil/structural engineers, to always exert
maximum effort in gathering as many data and information as possible and also considering
the expertise of other engineering disciplines in order to produce an efficient and
economical building design.