Seismic Force on retaining wall
Seismic Force on retaining wall
(OP)
I'm trying to determine what, if any lateral pressures due to earthquake forces I need to include on a building basement wall (out of plane) for a SCD-D building. ASCE7-05 11.8.3 requires the geotechnical investigation to report the above mentioned forces, which seems to imply that it has to be designed for.
But is this really the case? Do I need need to include seismic effects for a basement wall design, and what part of the code requires it? The closest I can find is in section 15.6.1, but that would only apply to free-standing site walls.
Thanks, Daniel.
But is this really the case? Do I need need to include seismic effects for a basement wall design, and what part of the code requires it? The closest I can find is in section 15.6.1, but that would only apply to free-standing site walls.
Thanks, Daniel.






RE: Seismic Force on retaining wall
RE: Seismic Force on retaining wall
Which code provision addresses soil effects on seismic loads for walls? 12.11 addresses out-of-plan forces without regard to soil.
RE: Seismic Force on retaining wall
Look out for ground water, it behaves differently from the soil.
Your geotech shall be able to provide better information if a more precise analysis is required/desired.
RE: Seismic Force on retaining wall
Basement, foundation and retaining walls in SDC D, E, and F:
Yielding walls (3/8)*kh*g*H^2
Non-Yielding kh*g*H^2
kh= Sds/2.5
Point of application = .6*H
I've seen alot of the proposed amendments to future IBC editions include provisions for seismic effects on soil retaining structures. I myself do include seismic effects on my soil retaining structures if they present any risk to public safety... e.g.
- Seismic effects for basement walls and retaining walls supporting foundation surcharges
- Ignore seismic effects on site retaining walls, etc