×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

Is Seismic Rho Factor use for foundation desgin

Is Seismic Rho Factor use for foundation desgin

Is Seismic Rho Factor use for foundation desgin

(OP)
ASCE 7 requires in certain circumstances that the seismic loads be modified by rho, thus Eh = rhoQe per 12.4-3. Is this amplification required to be transferred to the foundations?

RE: Is Seismic Rho Factor use for foundation desgin

I can't find anything that says it doesn't apply to foundations. ASCE 7-10, Section 12.3.4.1, lists elements that can be designed using rho=1, but foundations aren't one of them. Rightly or wrongly, I have always assume rho=1.3 applies to foundations for seismic design categories D thru F when using the equivalent lateral force method.

RE: Is Seismic Rho Factor use for foundation desgin

I hope this doesn't confuse but a previous discussion led to the conclusion that "Rho is only to be used where it is specifically stated that it is to be used". This may have been on a legal forum.

RE: Is Seismic Rho Factor use for foundation desgin

NEHRP's design guide for the seismic design of mat foundations (Link) instructs designers to apply rho. See the last paragraph below.

I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.

RE: Is Seismic Rho Factor use for foundation desgin

BUGGAR, aren't you thinking about Omega and not rho?

Check out Eng-Tips Forum's Policies here:
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies

RE: Is Seismic Rho Factor use for foundation desgin

Probably it was Omega.

RE: Is Seismic Rho Factor use for foundation desgin

See the last post in this thread. Link

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources