Tek-Tips is the largest IT community on the Internet today!

Members share and learn making Tek-Tips Forums the best source of peer-reviewed technical information on the Internet!

  • Congratulations cowski on being selected by the Eng-Tips community for having the most helpful posts in the forums last week. Way to Go!

Hillside base level diaphragm

Status
Not open for further replies.

HofOblivion

Structural
Joined
Dec 15, 2014
Messages
13
Location
US
I have a project where hillside ordinance is applied. One side of the building is fully day-lighted (T.O. soil and T.O.S. at the same elevation) and the other side is retaining soil up to 8'-0" height. I cannot determine if the I have to assume the base level diaphragm at the roof level (at 10'-0" above the T.O.S.) or at the slab as the building cuts into the (E) soil. Which is the correct way to design this building?
 
As you probably have concrete walls on three sides, I would take the base at the 8 foot high floor diaphragm level for forces normal to the slope.

In the other direction parallel to the slope, I would take the base at the slab. You will need wood shear walls at the day lighted wall of the basement.

Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)


 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Part and Inventory Search

Sponsor

Back
Top