Lateral Load Level Definition and Height 1

[JKW05]

ASCE 7 defines h_i as the height to Level i, with "i" being the buiding level and i=1 being the first level above the base. The attached file shows three typical building sections (I hope I attached it correctly).

Figure A shows an illustration taken from a masonry text book used in an example of a shear wall design for a masonry building. Here it is pretty clear that i=1 refers to the second floor with h_i=9'.

Normally, buildings would have a foundation wall of some dimension (set to frost depth here in the north) as illustrated in Figure B. Which floor would you use as Level 1 and what would h_i be for the first level? Same questions for a buidling with a full basement as shown in Figure C.

 

[KootK]

It's the second floor at the main floor height for all three cases. You'll like this: Link

The greatest trick that bond stress ever pulled was convincing the world it didn't exist.

 

[JKW05]

Thanks Koot!