DHKpeWI
Structural
- Dec 7, 2009
- 164
I am responsible for the design of aluminum enclosures (like a small building) and rectangular steel fuel tanks for generators in outdoor locations. The generator and the aluminum enclosure are attached to the top of the steel fuel tank, and the fuel tank will is anchored to a slab on ground. The design of the generator (to resist seismic forces) is by others. The connection of the generator to the tank would be in my scope of work.
My question is regarding the use of chapters 13 and 15 in ASCE7 – 2005 per IBC. It is my understanding that Chapter 13 is for nonstructural elements attached to structures, while Chapter 15 is for the design of nonbuilding structures. In my judgment the design of the aluminum enclosure and steel tank would best fit into the requirements of chapter 15. The generators are usually more than 25% of the total weight of the system, and thus I must use Chapter 15 to design the tank supporting the generator (see 15.3.2.1&2). Since the generators are “rigid”, (a period less than 0.06 seconds, section 15.4.2) the generator can be considered a rigid element and designed per Chapter 13.
The engineer designing the generator is suggesting that because of section 15.3.3, the tank and enclosure should be designed per chapter 13. My reading of 15.3.3 is that the electrical and mechanical components can be designed per Chapter 13 but the supporting tank and enclosure should be designed per Chapter 15.
What do you think?
My question is regarding the use of chapters 13 and 15 in ASCE7 – 2005 per IBC. It is my understanding that Chapter 13 is for nonstructural elements attached to structures, while Chapter 15 is for the design of nonbuilding structures. In my judgment the design of the aluminum enclosure and steel tank would best fit into the requirements of chapter 15. The generators are usually more than 25% of the total weight of the system, and thus I must use Chapter 15 to design the tank supporting the generator (see 15.3.2.1&2). Since the generators are “rigid”, (a period less than 0.06 seconds, section 15.4.2) the generator can be considered a rigid element and designed per Chapter 13.
The engineer designing the generator is suggesting that because of section 15.3.3, the tank and enclosure should be designed per chapter 13. My reading of 15.3.3 is that the electrical and mechanical components can be designed per Chapter 13 but the supporting tank and enclosure should be designed per Chapter 15.
What do you think?
