ASCE 7-05 Section 15.6.1
ASCE 7-05 Section 15.6.1
(OP)
I have this also posted in the ASCE Code section, but haven't gotten any responses.
Section 15.6.1 starts by saying that is applies to all earth retaining structures assigned to Seismic Design Category D, E, or F. It then goes on to say that lateral earth pressures due to earthquake ground motions shall be determined in accordance with Section 11.8.3 for Seismic Design Categories B, C, D, E, and F.
Do only earth retaining structures in design categories D, E, or F require seismic design, or is seismic design also requried for earth retaining structures in seismic design categories B and C?
According to Section 15.1.1, it seems that all earth retaining structures require seismic design, so I interpret ASCE 7-05 to require that earth retaining structures in any seismic design category to require a seismic design.
Section 15.6.1 starts by saying that is applies to all earth retaining structures assigned to Seismic Design Category D, E, or F. It then goes on to say that lateral earth pressures due to earthquake ground motions shall be determined in accordance with Section 11.8.3 for Seismic Design Categories B, C, D, E, and F.
Do only earth retaining structures in design categories D, E, or F require seismic design, or is seismic design also requried for earth retaining structures in seismic design categories B and C?
According to Section 15.1.1, it seems that all earth retaining structures require seismic design, so I interpret ASCE 7-05 to require that earth retaining structures in any seismic design category to require a seismic design.






RE: ASCE 7-05 Section 15.6.1
RE: ASCE 7-05 Section 15.6.1
DaveAtkins
RE: ASCE 7-05 Section 15.6.1
"We shape our buildings, thereafter they shape us." -WSC
RE: ASCE 7-05 Section 15.6.1
I think the intent of Section 15.6.1 was to require determination of seismic forces for retaining walls in the more severe seismic design categories by a geotechnical engineer, but that all retaining walls need to be designed for seismic. Presumably retaining walls in the less severe can have seismic loads determined by the structural engineer.
RE: ASCE 7-05 Section 15.6.1
I'm going back some years now, but I remember going through this in detail when studying for the PE or SE exam. Back then, there was very little information about retaining walls and seismic forces. The only method that I found was Monobe-Okabe which was viewed as being extremely conservative. Especially given the lack of observed retaining wall failures in past earthquake investigations. At least the lack of failures in engineerdd retaining walls.
RE: ASCE 7-05 Section 15.6.1
RE: ASCE 7-05 Section 15.6.1
I have seem many pressure prisms of various shapes based on the different site conditions, so I leave the specs to the experts here and do not try to second guess the induced forces.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering