Structural Tips

Structural TIPS
(6/11/2019)
“Special thanks for RAKA structural design team”

By: Eng. Eslam Ali Mahmoud

Eng. Eslam Ali Mahmoud Page 1

 Structural Tips

Load combinations:
Basic combination in section (2.3.2) in code

If
 Live loads less than or equal 5kn/m, then factor of live load can be 0.5 instead of 1.
(Exceptions for section 2.3.2 in SBC & ASCE 7-10)

 Seismic design category (D,E,F) + (Sds bigger than 0.125), then seismic design
combinations shall be
 (1.2+0.2Sds)*D + Rho*Qe + L
 (0.9-0.2Sds)*D + Rho*Qe + 1.6H
“Rho=1 in seismic design category (A,B,C) & Rho=(1.3 ACI & 1.25 SBC) in seismic design category
(D,E,F)“
(Section 12.4.2.3 ASCE7-10, Eq. 10.4-(1&2) SBC)

 Planted columns exist in the building or the system is cantilever system, then seismic
design combination shall be
 (1.2+0.2Sds)*D + omega*Qe + L
 (0.9-0.2Sds)*D + omega*Qe + 1.6H
(Section 12.4.3.2 ASCE7-10, Eq. 10.4.1-(1&2) SBC)

 The system in non parallel system(shear walls not parallel to x-y plan) or in seismic
design category (C,D,E,F), then seismic design combinations shall be (orthogonal
effect)
 1.2D +EX + 0.3EY + L 1.2D +0.3EX + EY + L
 1.2D +EX - 0.3EY + L 1.2D +0.3EX - EY + L
 1.2D -EX + 0.3EY + L 1.2D -0.3EX + EY + L
 1.2D -EX - 0.3EY + L 1.2D -0.3EX -EY + L
(Section 12.5.3 ASCE7-10, Eq. 10.5.2 SBC)
“Also valid for spectrum patterns”
 If we have (Earth or water) load in the building, then we shall add to the seismic
combinations other 2 combinations
 0.9D+1.6W 0.9D+1E
this 2 combinations came from combination (2.3.2-6 & 2.3.2-7) SBC code as the load
factor on H shall be set equal to zero in Eq.2.3.2-6 and Eq. 2.3.2-7 if the structural
action due to H counteracts that due to W or E.
(Exceptions for section 2.3.2 in SBC & ASCE 7-10)

 We shall always add load combination

 1.4D+1.7L+0.5Lr
(Exceptions for section 2.3.2 in SBC)

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 Structural Tips

Checks for buildings after run (ETABS & SAFE) for all
Elements
1. Check error for geometry.
2. Check error log.
3. Check scale factor.(Section 12.9.4.1 ASCE7-10, Eq. 10.10.8 SBC)
4. Check time period for building. (Section 12.8.2.1 ASCE 7-10, Section 10.9.3.(1&2) SBC)
5. Check load participating ratio.
6. Check diaphragm (rigid or semi rigid). (Section 12.3 ASCE 7-10, Section 10.3. SBC)
7. Check irregularity (horizontal & vertical). (Section 12.3-(1&2) ASCE 7-10, Section 10.3.2. (1&2). SBC)
8. Check expansion joint. (Section 12.12.2 ASCE 7-10, Section 10.12.2 SBC)
9. Check story drift. (Table 12.12-1 ASCE 7-10, Table 10-12 SBC)
10.Check (Columns, beams & walls).
11.Check punching.
12.Check deflection.
13.Check RFT for slabs.
14.Check Max & Min % for RFT.
15.Check tension & compression for footings.
16.Check crack width for footings & retaining walls (in case exposed to water or
soil).

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 Structural Tips

1) Check error for geometry:-

Analyze / check model / check all “except” trim & joint story with tolerance for checks
0.001m.

2) Check error log:

Analyze / Last analysis run log

If there is error we can apply one of two approach:

a) Neglect p-delta, run & try to find error through deformation

b) Analyze / Advanced SAPfire options / Advanced solver & re-run:- error will be appear in
the last analysis run log with the coordinates & location

3) Check scale factor:

Scale factor shall not be less than 85 %

Table / Analysis / Results / base reaction

(SPECX/Ex) or (SPECY/Ey) ≥ 85% (V base dynamic/V base static) ≥ 85%

(Section 12.9.4.1 ASCE7-10, Eq. 10.10.8 SBC)

4) Check time period for buildings:-

Tables / Analyze / Model results / Modal period and frequencies.

“Time period is the time taken by the building to make one cycle in earthquake, Time is inversely
proportional with the frequency when time decrease this mean that frequency increase which is
more worse”

As a guide:

Time period is 10% from the no. of floors in the building (+ or – 0.5sec) which means that if
the no. of floors is 10 floors, then time period shall be between (0.5 & 1.5 sec.)

“Overall time period is just a guide line in our checks which give us a reference for the design error
if it was not within the mentioned limits, and we don’t need to apply modifications in the model
concerning this item”
(Section 12.8.2.1 ASCE 7-10, Section 10.9.3.(1&2) SBC)

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 Structural Tips

5) Check load participating ratio:-

Tables / Analyze / Model results / Modal load participating ratios.

“Shall be ≥ 90%, if not then back to modal case and increase no. of modes”

6) Check diaphragm (rigid & semi rigid):-

a)Table / diaphragm center of mass displacement

“get the max. Displacement for each diaphragm”

b)Table / joint displacement

“get the average of 2 points in each direction for each diaphragm”

If (A)≥(2B) then diaphragm is flexible

As per Section (12.3.1.2) in ASCE &( 10.3.1.2) in SBC

Rigid Diaphragm Condition diaphragms of concrete slabs or concrete filled metal deck with span-to-
depth ratios of 3 or less in structures that have no horizontal irregularities are permitted to be
idealized as rigid.
We can realize from this that most probably the diaphragm may be semi rigid
Put we also can use

Where ∆ diaphragm & ∆ story represent (A & B) mentioned up

(Section 12.3 ASCE 7-10, Section 10.3. SBC)

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 Structural Tips

7) Check irregularity:

HORIZONTAL IRREGULARITY VERTICAL IRREGULARITY

1) *Torsional irregular building in case 1) * Torsional irregularity if ∑inertia in one
∆max ≥1.2∆ave (Type 1a) story ≤ 70% ∑inertia in story below
*Extreme torsional irregular building in OR ∑inertia in one story≤80% average ∑
case ∆max ≥1.4∆ave (Type 1b) inertia of three stories above (Type 1a)
“Not accepted in zone(E&F)”
*No irregularity in case ∆max is less than SOFT
1.2∆ave
STORY
2) Opening in the floor ≥ 50% of the area in 2) Extreme torsional irregularity if ∑inertia in
the floor (or) if the ∑ of openings one story ≤ 60% ∑inertia in story below OR
in one floor is more than double the ∑ of ∑inertia in one story≤70% average ∑ inertia of
openings in other three stories above (Type 1b)
“Not accepted in zone(E&F)”
3) In case of (L BUILDING) 3)Mass irregularity if the effective mass of any
floor is more than 150% of the mass of the next
floor

IF X≥0.15L1 OR Y≥0.15L2 (Type 2)

4) In case of shear wall vertical offset “
shear wall recess from one floor to
another” (Type 3)
5) In case there is inclined shear wall in
plane
“shear walls are not aligned to X or Y
axis” (Type 4)

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 Structural Tips

∆max & ∆ave

Table / Analysis / Results / Displacement / Story Max & Avg. displacement

If 1.2∆ave≤ ∆max≤1.4∆ave , then there is torsion in the building

Ax(amplification factor)=( ∆max/1.2∆ave)2 if ≥ 1 then we shall change diaphragm ecc.,

New ecc.= Ax * 0.05

“In case static seismic”

1-Define MsSrc (default as mass

source for all modal cases), MsSrc+X,
MsSrc-X, MsSrc+Y and MsSrc-Y with
different scenarios of diaphragm
lateral mass adjustment.

Default as mass source for all

modal cases

In this mass source we will add

check on (Adjust diaphragm) &
make the ratio for ECC. (+0.05) for
(mass source x & mass source y)
& (-0.05) for (mass source -x &
mass source -y)

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 Structural Tips

2-Define nonlinear static load case

MASS+X, MASS-X, MASS+Y, and
MASS-Y . with loads applied that
correspond to same used as in the
mass source. Make sure to select
the correct mass source while in
nonlinear static case i,e,MsSrc+X,
MsSrc-X, MsSrc+Y and MsSrc-Y for
nonlinear static load cases
MASS+X, MASS-X, MASS+Y, and
MASS-Y .

We will define the same load case

4 times for each mass source

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 Structural Tips

3 - Define>modal cases and add

new case, say Modal+X, Modal-
X, Modal+Y, Modal-Y and make
sure to choose radio
button "use nonlinear case..."
and select MASS+X, MASS-X,
MASS+Y, and MASS-Y
respectively.

We will define the same modal

case 4 times for each mass
source

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 Structural Tips

4 – Define response spectrum cases

Define>load cases and add new case,
say SPECX , SPECY, SPEX+ECC.,
SPECX-ECC., SPECY, SPEXY+ECC. And
SPECYECC.and select Modal load
cases Modal ,Modal+X, Modal-X,
Modal Modal+Y and Modal-Y
respectively.

Default as response for all models

In this spec we will define the modal load

case as follow for load case (specx+ecc)
modal +y , load case (specx-ecc) modal-y,
load case (specy+ecc) modal +x, load case
(specy-ecc) modal -x

“In dynamic seismic”

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 Structural Tips

Story stiffness

Table / Analysis / Results / Structural results / Story stiffness

Exception:

Irregularity doesn’t exist if

Ex: (Story drift for 1st floor/Story drift for 2nd floor)=1.3

Mass irregularity

Table / Analysis / Results / Structural results / center of mass & rigidity

(Section 12.3-(1&2) ASCE 7-10, Section 10.3.2.(1&2). SBC)

8) Check expansion joint:

= Joint displacement * (CD/I)

Joint displacement shall be from the same combination for the two adjacent points

Table / Analysis / Results / joint displacement

(Section 12.12.2 ASCE 7-10, Section 10.12.2 SBC)

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 Structural Tips

9) Check story drift:

We shall create load pattern for seismic drift check, where (Ex,EY) type is (seismic drift)
instead of (seismic).

Seismic drift is a ratio which is compared with table (12-12-1) in ASCE (ratio to ratio)
without multiplying either etabs output or code factor in (H)

Table / Analysis / Results / Story drift

Wind displacement

Joint displacement shall be compared with allowable h/(400x600) for concrete & h/800 for
steel where (h) is the distance of the slab from the zero level

(Table 12-12.1 ASCE 7-10, Table 10.12 SBC)

10) Check columns, beams, walls & spandrels: (optimum 90%)

Table / Design / Concrete design / Concrete columns summary”PMM ratio” & Concrete
beam summary

Table / Design / Shear wall design / Shear wall pier summary “D/C ratio” & Shear wall
spandrel “deep beams”

We can make etabs check (PMM ratio & D/C ratio) on ratio less than (1) through

Design / Concrete frame design preference / Utilization factor limit

Design / Shear wall design preference / Utilization factor limit

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 Structural Tips

11) Check punching:

Display / Show punching shear design

In case punching is unsafe we can use shear studs or shear links

IF Punching ratio is bigger than 1 and the slab is bigger than 25cm (as per ACI) we can use
shear stud or shear link.

Define RFT for punching

Choose the column / Design / Punching check overwrites

“Choose the location type, define, RFT bar, spacing & FY”, then run the model again.

“If we have irregular column, we shall make sure that it was exported to SAFE or at least achieving
rectangular column with sectional area equivalent to the irregular column & in this case it is preferred to
enter the real perimeter of the irregular column in (EDIT INTERACTIVE DATABASE)”

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 Structural Tips

12) Check deflection:

Take it 0.50

Take it 0.50

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 Structural Tips

The deflections of structural members respect the more restrictive of the limitations in the
table below as indicated in the Minimum Technical Requirements specified in SBC301-Table
1.4-1.
Description Dead Load + Live Load Live Load

Roof members supporting plaster ceiling l/240 l/360

Roof members supporting non-plaster

l/180 l/240
ceiling

Roof members not supporting ceiling l/120 l/180

Floor members l/240 l/360

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 Structural Tips

In addition, the long term deflections resulting from creep and shrinkage respect the
limitations provided in the following table according to SBC304-Table 9.5(b):
Type of member Deflection to be considered Deflection limitation

Flat roofs not supporting or attached to Immediate deflection due to

l/180
non-structural elements likely to be live load L
damaged by large deflections

Floors not supporting or attached to Immediate deflection due to

l/360
nonstructural elements likely to be live load L
damaged by large deflections

Roof or floor construction supporting or That part of the total deflection

occurring after attachment of l/480
attached to nonstructural elements likely
to be damaged by large deflections nonstructural elements (sum of
the long-term deflection due to
Roof or floor construction supporting or all sustained loads and the
immediate deflection due to l/240
attached to nonstructural elements not
likely to be damaged by large deflections any additional live load)

13) Check RFT for slabs:

Display / show slab design

“Finite element based” for solid and flat slab

“strip based” for hollow block

RUN / Cracking analysis option

“we shall enter the RFT and spacing in (Quick tension specification)”
“we shall enter the min slab RFT limits in tension RFT 0.0018”
“0.7*1000(FC)0.5 in SBC & 0.62**1000(FC)0.5 in ACI”

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 Structural Tips

14) Check MAX & MIN. % in RFT:

Min RFT in beams: the bigger one from (1.4*b*d/Fy) & (0.25*(Fc’)0.5*b*d/Fy)

“(b) & (d) in mm, (fy) & (fc) in n/mm”

Max RFT in slabs & raft: 0.04*b*d for tension mesh only

“If the mesh is T16@100 top & bottom then the max. is for bottom only”

Min RFT in slabs: Slabs where grade 40 or 50 deformed bars are used = 0.0020

Slabs where grade 40 or 50 deformed bars are used = 0.0018

Min RFT in walls: Rho min for HZ. bars = (0.002 to 0.0025)

Rho min for VL. bars = (0.0012 to 0.0015)

“Sec. 14-3-.2 ACI 318-8” “Sec. 11-1 ACI 318-14”

15) Check tension & compression in footings:

Check tension & compression from Envelope working combination

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 Structural Tips

16) Check crack width for retaining walls & footings :

Display / Show crack width (load combination: Envelope working excluding spectrum if
exist)

Change as per
requirements

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