ASCE-7 Seismic requirements for small buildings & structures

[Bagman2524]

I design industrial platforms and other small (less than 2 stories or 20 ft high) structures. Am I correct in interpreting ASCE-7-98 section 9.5.2.5 exceptions 1 & 2 as not requiring any type of seismic loading to be considered in the design of these structures?

 

[minorchord2000]

I believe that if you kept reading that section, you will find that you are permitted to use the SIMPLIFIED method of analysis per para 9.5.3.8 and your structure should be in Seismic Use Group I. You are not exempt from seismic analysis in any event.

By the way, you should be using ASCE 7-05. Your reference is two editions old.

 

[Bagman2524]

Thanks. I agree.
Keeping up with the latest versions of all codes and standards I need to gets to be expensive.

 

[civilperson]

Out of date standards could cost you dearly when subjected to plan review by third party engineers.

 

[csd72]

But what if your state code refers to an old state (such as new york city).

 

[Bagman2524]

My software uses the current edition of the code.

 

[DaveVikingPE]

The simplified seismic base shear and such is now in Chapter 12 of ASCE 7. Seismic gets chapters 9 through 22 now!

 

[JStephen]

There was a post a while back on the topic of current standards. Typically a city will specify an edition of IBC, and it in turn will specify an edition of ASCE 7. Last one I looked at, city specced IBC 2000, which references ASCE 7-98. But it does vary.

 

[DonPhillips]

Chapter 1 of IBC allows for alternate forms of compliance and most jurisdictions accept newer referenced standards. MAke sure your submittal drawings indicate the standard to help protect yourself.

However, if there is a less stringent item in the current standard compared to the older, the building official may require you to adjudicate the requirement to protect himself from liability. Most building officials would support the variance request since future codes will probably incorporate the new requirement.

Don Phillips

http://worthingtonengineering.com