SLaMA Simple Lateral Mechanism Analysis

By Paula Salinas | Structural Team

What is SLaMA?
Easy…the answer is here:
Don’t worry…I will try to explain you with a
real example…
Thank God!
But just a little introduction before we start…

The definition in accordance with “Technical Guidelines for Engineering Assessment of

July 2017” is:

“SLaMA is a simplified technique for determining the probable inelastic

deformation mechanisms and their lateral strength and displacement
capacity by examining load paths, the hierarchy of strength along
critical load paths, the available ductility/displacement capacity of the
identified mechanisms and the manner in which various mechanisms
might work together”
Let’s see the Key Steps of SLaMA
Let’s see the Key Steps of SLaMA
Let’s go now with the Example…But first the
stars Why is Willy missing
the opportunity to be with the
Stars!?

Team :
Andrew McMenamin : Principal Structural Engineer
Neil Ravara : Structural Checker
Paula Salinas : Structural Analysis

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Let’s go now with the Example…

Project : NZME – Building C

IEP : 20% NBS – Earthquake Prone Building (EPB)

Grade D. GHD 2016.

Location : Auckland

Year of construction : Around 1970’s (DSA)

Soil : Class B (Drawings of building D)

Analysis working life : 50 years.

Importance level : IL2

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Project : NZME – Building C

Information : No structural drawings available. Just general

drawing.

Additional information : Scan of one beam and one column in the internal
and external edge.(Warning: scan has limitations)

Site inspection : One site inspection to measure the columns

dimension and check the number of beams and
columns. Check plan dimensions.

Description : Ground level:

• Reinforced Concrete Portal Frame with double
tee slab.
Level 1:
• Portal Steel frame that work in the transverse
direction. It is considered as a weight in ground
level for SLaMA analysis.
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Location and photos…

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photos…

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photos…

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Etabs Model

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Dimensions
Longitudinal Direction
Element Edge Ke-Ne-Se [mm] Edge Ke-Ne-Se [mm] (corners)
Column 400x600 800x400
Beam* 400x600 400x600

Transverse Direction
Element Edge 8e [mm] Edge 16 [mm]
Column 400x800 400x800
Beam* 400x600 400x600

* This includes the Shell beam. In-situ beam: 225mm x 500mm

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SLaMA…Let’s begin

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Analysis Edge 8 (Transverse direction)

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Step 1: Assessment of the structural configuration

1.- Identification of Lateral Load Path

• RC frames along longitudinal and transverse direction.

• The lateral load is transferred to the load resisting elements by

the pre-cast concrete floor topping.

2.- Identification of Potential Structural Weaknesses

– Appendix C2G

• Year of design 1970’s

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Step 2 : Calculate the Probably Capacities for Key
Members.

Material Properties:
Unit Reference/Comment
Concrete strength f’c 20 MPa Table C5.3
Concrete density ρ 2400 kg/m3
Probable concrete strength f’c,prob 30 MPa Table C5.3
Concrete Elastic modulus Ec 27440,0 MPa NZS 3101:2006 5.2.3/Normal weight concrete
Steel yield strength fy 255 MPa Table C5C.2
Year of design Pre-1970 1,25 C5.4.3.2 - Note
Probable steel yield strength fy,prob 319 MPa C5.4.3.2

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Step 2

Probable Capacity:

• Moment : Program Response-2000

• Shear : 𝑉𝑝 = 0.85 ∙ (𝑉𝑐 + 𝑉𝑠 + 𝑉𝑛 )

Vc: Shear contribution from
concrete 𝑀
𝑉𝑐 = 𝛼 ∙ 𝛽 ∙ 𝛾 ∙ 𝑓𝑐′ ∙ (0.8 ∙ 𝐴𝑔 ) 1≤ 𝛼 = 3− ≤ 1.5
𝑉∙𝐷
𝛽 = 0.5 + 20𝜌𝑙 ≤ 1

: shear strength degradation

factor. According with Figure
C5.12.

Ag: gross area of the member

section.

ρl: ratio of the total area of the

longitudinal reinforcement.

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Step 2

• Shear : 𝑉𝑝 = 0.85 ∙ (𝑉𝑐 + 𝑉𝑠 + 𝑉𝑛 )

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Step 2

• Shear : 𝑉𝑝 = 0.85 ∙ (𝑉𝑐 + 𝑉𝑠 + 𝑉𝑛 )

Vs: Shear contribution Av: total effective area of
from transverse 𝐴𝑣 ∙ 𝑓𝑦𝑡 ∙ 𝑑 hoops and cross ties in the
𝑉𝑠 =
reinforcement 𝑠 direction of the shear force
at spacing s.

fyt: probable yield strength

of the transverse
reinforcement.

d: effective depth of the

beam

Vn: Shear contribution N*: Axial load.

from axial compression 𝒍𝒘 − 𝒄 𝑫−𝒄
𝑽𝒏 = 𝑵∗ ∙ = 𝑵∗ ∙
𝒉𝒘 𝑳 hw: wall height (2hw for cantilever)

L: column height. (2L for cantilever)

D: column depth.

c: depth of the compression zone

lw: wall length

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Step 2

1.- Beam
• Section:

Element Beam
Dimension 400x600 mm
Diameter longitudinal 1 inch
Amount bars 4
Cover 14 mm
Diameter transverse ¼ inch
Space stirrups @ 220 mm

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Step 2…

1.- Beam
• Probable moment from Response-2000

Mp=143.7 kN x m

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Step 2…

1.- Beam
• Over strength Moment: In accordance with C5.5.1.1

𝑴𝒐
= 𝟏. 𝟏𝟔 ⇒ Mo=166.7 kN x m
𝑴𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒃

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Step 2…

1.- Beam
• Probable Shear
Parameter Value
α 1
β 0.86
γ 0.29 ⇒ Vp=134 kN
fc’ 30 MPa
Ag* 105063.7 mm²
Av 63.34 mm²
fy 319 MPa
s 220 mm

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Step 2…

1.- Beam
• Residual Shear Capacity: Assuming degradation of
concrete shear capacity.
The same proceed but with higher ductility, this case µ= 2 → γ = 0.29

Vres= Vp = 134 kN

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Step 2…

1.- Beam
• Maximum Shear at Probable and Over Strength
Moment: To determined the possible mechanism.
𝟐 𝟐
𝑴+ − 𝒘∙𝒍 ൗ
𝒑 +𝑴𝒑 + 𝟐 𝑴𝒐+ +𝑴−
𝒐+
𝒘∙𝒍 ൗ
𝟐
𝑽𝑴𝒑 = 𝑽𝑴𝒐 =
𝒍 𝒍

Gravity load of w=23.2 kN/m

Length mm VMp (kN) VMp (kN)

⇒ 4980 115.6 124.8

2000 166.9 189.9
3000 130.7 146.0

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Step 2…

1.- Beam
Therefore:
∗
𝑉𝑀𝑝 > 𝑉𝑝 → 𝑆ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑀𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑠𝑚

∗
𝑉𝑀𝑜 > 𝑉𝑟𝑒𝑠 → 𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑆ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑀𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑠𝑚

∗
𝑉𝑀𝑜 < 𝑉𝑟𝑒𝑠 → 𝐹𝑙𝑒𝑥𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑀𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑠𝑚

Beam Mechanism Summary

Length mm 𝑴𝒑 𝑴𝒐 𝑽𝒑 𝑽𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝑽∗𝑴𝒑 𝑽∗𝑴𝒐 Beam Mechanism

4980 143.7 166.7 134.1 134.1 115.6 124.8 Flexural

2000 143.7 166.7 134.1 134.1 166.9 189.9 Shear
3000 143.7 166.7 134.1 134.1 130.7 146.0 Plastic Shear

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Step 2
2.- Column
Section:
Element Column
Dimension 400x800 mm
Diameter longitudinal 5/8
Amount bars 6
Diameter side bars 1 ¼ inch
Amount bars 4
Cover 25 mm
Diameter transverse ¼ inch
Space stirrups @ 409 mm

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Step 2

2.- Column
• Probable capacity: For probable moment was used
Respose-2000

Mp=736.2 kN x m

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Step 2…

2.- Column
• Over strength Moment: In accordance with C5.5.1.1

𝑴𝒐
= 𝟏. 𝟏𝟔 ⇒ Mo=854 kN x m
𝑴𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒃

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Step 2…

2.- Column
• Probable Shear
Parameter Value
α 1
β 0.90
γ 0.29 ⇒ Vp=390.6 kN
fc’ 30 MPa
Ag* 320000 mm²
Av 63.34 mm²
fy 319 MPa
s 409 mm

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Step 2…

2.- Column
• Residual Shear Capacity: Assuming degradation of
concrete shear capacity.
The same proceed but with higher ductility, this case µ= 2 → γ = 0.29

Vres= Vp = 390.6 kN

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Step 2…

2.- Column
• Shear Contribution from Axial load
• L = 6530 mm
• D = 800 mm

Edge 8e/ N* [kN] c [mm] Vn [kN]

Ke 264.7 127 27.3
Aux1 122.4 113 12.9
Aux2 118.9 112 12.5
Ne 376.5 138 38.2
Aux3 121.5 113 12.8
Aux4 97.1 110 10.3
Aux5 84.7 109 8.9
Se 244.5 125 25.3

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Step 2…

2.- Column
• Maximum Shear at Probable and Over Strength
Moment: To determined the possible mechanism.
𝑴+ −
𝒑 +𝑴𝒑 𝑴𝒐+ +𝑴−
𝒐
𝑽𝑴𝒑 = 𝑽𝑴𝒐 =
𝒍 𝒍

VMp (kN) VMo (kN)

⇒
225.5 261.6

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 Step 2…
2.- Column
Therefore: ∗
𝑉𝑀𝑝 > 𝑉𝑝 → 𝑆ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑀𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑠𝑚
∗
𝑉𝑀𝑜 > 𝑉𝑟𝑒𝑠 → 𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑆ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑀𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑠𝑚
∗
𝑉𝑀𝑜 < 𝑉𝑟𝑒𝑠 → 𝐹𝑙𝑒𝑥𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑀𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑠𝑚
Column Mechanism Summary
Edge 8e/ 𝑴𝒑 𝑴𝒐 𝑽𝒑 𝑽𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝑽∗𝑴𝒑 𝑽∗𝑴𝒐 Column Mechanism
Ke 736.2 854.0 390.0 369.0 225.5 261.6 Flexural
Aux1 736.2 854.0 378.4 356.8 225.5 261.6 Flexural
Aux2 736.2 854.0 378.1 356.5 225.5 261.6 Flexural
Ne 736.2 854.0 399.9 378.3 225.5 261.6 Flexural
Aux3 736.2 854.0 378.3 356.7 225.5 261.6 Flexural
Aux4 736.2 854.0 376.1 354.6 225.5 261.6 Flexural
Aux5 736.2 854.0 375.0 353.5 225.5 261.6 Flexural
Se 736.2 854.0 388.9 367.3 225.5 261.6 Flexural

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Step 3 – 4: Determine Probable Inelastic Mechanism of
Components (Sub-systems)

Beam-Column Joints – Appendix C5I

Type of joints in a frame Seismic Loading

Joint Shear equilibrium

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Step 3 – 4: Determine Probable Inelastic Mechanism of
Components (Sub-systems)

Beam-Column Joints – without any shear reinforcement

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Step 3 – 4: Determine Probable Inelastic Mechanism of
Components (Sub-systems)

Beam-Column Joints – without any shear reinforcement

Mp= 143.7 kN-m / beam kj=0.4
Mp= 736.2 kN-m / Column
Column Vjh [kN] Vprob,jh Governs
Ke 319.3 699.4 Column flexure governs at external joint
Aux1 638.7 645.8 Column flexure governs at external joint
Aux2 638.7 644.5 Column flexure governs at external joint
Ne 638.7 738.8 Column flexure governs at external joint
Aux3 638.7 645.5 Column flexure governs at external joint
Aux4 638.7 635.9 Beam flexure governs at external joint
Aux5 638.7 630.9 Beam flexure governs at external joint
Se 319.3 692.1 Column flexure governs at external joint

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Step 3 – 4: Determine Probable Inelastic Mechanism of
Components (Sub-systems)

Probable Inelastic Mechanism of Frame (Sub-System) –

Appendix C2A.1

𝑆𝑖 > 0.85 ⇒ Column sway mechanism

𝑆𝑖 < 0.85 ⇒ Beam sway mechanism

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Step 3 – 4: Determine Probable Inelastic Mechanism of
Components (Sub-systems)

Probable Inelastic Mechanism of Frame (Sub-System) –

Appendix C2A.1

8e Ke Aux1 Aux2 Ne Aux3 Aux4 Aux5 Se

Mbl 0 166.7 166.7 166.7 166.7 166.7 166.7 166.7
Mbr 166.7 166.7 166.7 166.7 166.7 166.7 166.7 0
Mca 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mcb 736.2 736.2 736.2 736.2 736.2 736.2 736.2 736.2

σ(𝑀𝑏𝑙 +𝑀𝑏𝑟 )
σ(𝑀𝑐𝑎 +𝑀𝑐𝑏 )
⇒ 𝑆𝑖 = 0.4

∴ Beam sway mechanism may be expected

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Step 5: Calculate Global Base Shear and Displacement

Global Base Shear

In accordance with the Appendix C2A, the base shear capacity depend on the type of
mechanism:

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Step 5: Calculate Global Base Shear and Displacement

Edge L [mm] Vend_beam x L

Ke-Aux1 4980 575.6
Aux1-Aux2 4980 575.6
Aux2-Ne 4980 575.6
Ne-Aux3 4980 575.6
Aux3-Aux4 4980 575.6
Aux4-Aux5 2000 231.2
Aux5-Se 3000 346.7

heff = 6530 mm ⇒ Vprob = 881 kN

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Step 5: Calculate Global Base Shear and Displacement

Displacement
Goal : To find yield displacement ∆𝒚 (C5.17) and probable displacement capability ∆𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒃 (C5.16)

Yield Displacement

𝝓𝒚 ∙𝑳𝟐𝒆𝒇𝒇
∆𝒚 = ∙ 𝜹𝒊
𝟑

𝝓𝒚 : Yield curvature = 5.195 rad/km (From Response-2000)

𝑳𝒆𝒇𝒇 = 𝑳𝒄 + 𝟐 ∙ 𝑳𝒔𝒑

Lc: Distance of the critical section from the point of contraflexure.

Lsp: Strain penetration ≈ 0.022 fy db

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Step 5: Calculate Global Base Shear and Displacement

Displacement

𝜹𝒊 : Normalised deflection profile at level i

𝜹𝒊 = 𝟏 → ∆𝒚 = 𝟐𝟐. 𝟗𝒎𝒎

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Step 5: Calculate Global Base Shear and Displacement

Displacement

Probable Displacement

∆𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒃 = ∆𝒚 + ∆𝒑

𝚫𝒑 = 𝝓𝒑 ∙ 𝑳𝒑 ∙ 𝑳𝒆𝒇𝒇 − 𝑳𝒑 = 𝟐𝟎. 𝟕𝒎𝒎

𝝓𝒑 : Probable curvature = 19.7 rad/km (From Response-2000)

Lp: Plastic hinge length = 447 mm

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Step 5: Calculate Global Base Shear and Displacement

Displacement
However for probable displacement it is necessary to check additionally:

1. Displacement/Drif Capacity due to Flexure-Shear Mechanism ∆𝒔

Lc: Distance of the critical section from the point of contraflexure.

𝑨𝒗
𝝆𝒔 = = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟐
𝒃∙𝒅

𝑽𝒑
𝝊= = 𝟏. 𝟐𝟗𝟕 𝑵/𝒎𝒎𝟐 - Nominal shear stress
𝒃∙𝒅

Δ𝑠 = 69.7 𝑚𝑚
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Step 5: Calculate Global Base Shear and Displacement

Displacement
2. 2.5% x h = 163.3 mm

∆𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒃 = ∆𝒚 + ∆𝒑 → ∆𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒃 = 𝟒𝟑. 𝟔𝒎𝒎

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Step 6: Determine equivalent SDOF System, seismic
demand and %NBS

Effective Height for the Equivalent SDOF – C2.8

𝒉𝒆𝒇𝒇 = 𝟔. 𝟓𝟑 𝒎

Effective Mass – C2.9

σ 𝒎𝒊 ∙ ∆𝒊 ∙ 𝒉𝒊
𝒎𝒆𝒇𝒇 = = 𝟏𝟒𝟓. 𝟗 𝒕𝒐𝒏
σ 𝒎𝒊 ∙ ∆𝒊

𝚫𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒃
Achievable system ductility: 𝝁𝒔𝒚𝒔 = = 𝟏. 𝟗
𝚫𝒚

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Step 6: Determine equivalent SDOF System, seismic
demand and %NBS

Therefore

𝑽𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒃
𝑺𝒂 𝒈 = = 𝟎. 𝟔𝟐
𝒎𝒆𝒇𝒇

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Step 6: Determine equivalent SDOF System, seismic
demand and %NBS

100%NBS

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If this building were in a place like Milford Sound with
the same soil…
72%NBS

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www.ghd.com

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