Example 1 Earthquake Load Combinations: Strength Design 12.4.2.

Example 1
Earthquake Load Combinations:
Strength Design 12.4.2.3

This example demonstrates the application of the strength design load combinations that involve
the seismic load E given in 12.4.2.3. This will be done for the moment-resisting frame structure
shown below.

SDS = 1.10
I = 1.0
= 1.3
f1 = 0.5
Snow load S = 0

Beam A-B and Column C-D are elements of the special moment-resisting frame. Structural
analysis has provided the following beam moments at A, and the column axial loads and
moments at C due to dead load, office building live load, and left-to-right () and right-to-left
() directions of lateral seismic loading.

Dead Live Left-to-Right Right-to-Left

Load, D Load, L Seismic Load Seismic Load
(QE) (QE)
Beam Moment at A 100 kip-ft 50 kip-ft +120 kip-ft 120 kip-ft
Column C-D Axial Load +90 kips +40 kips +110 kips 110 kips
Column Moment at C +40 kip-ft +20 kip-ft +160 kip-ft 160 kip-ft

Sign Convention: Positive moment induces flexural tension on the bottom side of a beam and at
the right side of a column. Positive axial load induces compression. Note that for the particular
location of Column C-D, the seismic Axial Load and Moment at C are both positive for the left-
to-right () loading and are both negative for the right-to-left () loading. This is not necessarily
true for the other elements of the structure.

Find the following.

1. Strength design seismic load combinations (Comb.)

2. Strength design moments at beam end A for seismic load
combinations
3. Strength design interaction pairs of axial load and moment for
the design of column section at C for seismic load combinations

2009 IBC Structural/Seismic Design Manual, Vol. I 25

2009_IBCVol1_553011.indd 25 5/2/12 3:51 PM

12.4.2.3 Example 1 Earthquake Load Combinations: Strength Design

Calculations and Discussion Code Reference

1. Governing strength design seismic load combinations

1.2D + 1.0E + 0.5L . . . (Note 0.2S = 0) (Comb. 5)

0.9D + 1.0E (Comb. 7)

where for a given type of load action such as moment M or axial load P

E = Eh + Ev (Eq 12.4-1)
Eh = QE (Eq 12.4-3)
Ev = 0.2SDSD (Eq 12.4-4)

Combined, these yield

E = QE + 0.2SDSD

when the algebraic sign, , of QE is taken as the same as that for D, and

E = QE 0.2SDSD

when the algebraic sign, , of QE is taken as opposite to that for D.

For the given values of : = 1.3, SDS = 1.10, the load combinations are

1.2D + 1.3QE + (0.2)(1.1)D + 0.5L = 1.42D + 1.3QE + 0.5L (Comb. 5)

when the signs of QE and D are the same, and

1.2D + 1.3QE (0.2)(1.1)D + 0.5L = 0.98D + 1.3QE + 0.5L (Comb. 5)

when the signs of QE and D are opposite.

0.9D + 1.3QE + (0.2)(1.1)D = 1.12D + 1.3QE (Comb. 7)

when the signs of QE and D are the same, and

0.9D + 1.3QE (0.2)(1.1)D = 0.68D + 1.3QE (Comb. 7)

when the signs of QE and D are opposite.

By inspection, the governing seismic load combinations are

1.42D + 1.3QE + 0.5L

when the signs of QE and D are the same,

0.68D + 1.3QE

when the signs of QE and D are opposite.

26 2009 IBC Structural/Seismic Design Manual, Vol. I

2009_IBCVol1_553011.indd 26 5/2/12 3:51 PM

Example 1 Earthquake Load Combinations: Strength Design 12.4.2.3

2. Strength design moments at beam end A for seismic load combinations

a. For the governing load combination when the signs of QE and D are the same

1.42D + 1.3QE + 0.5L

with D = MD = 100, QE = MQE = 120, and L = ML = 50

MA = 1.42 (100) + 1.3 (120) + 0.5(50) = 323 kip-ft

b. For the governing load combination when the signs of QE and D are opposite

0.68D + 1.3QE

with D = MD = 100 and QE = 120

MA = 0.68(100) + 1.3(120) = 88 kip-ft

Beam section at A must be designed for

MA = 323 kip-ft and + 88 kip-ft

3. Strength design interaction pairs of axial load and moment for the
design of column section at C for seismic load combinations
The seismic load combinations using the definitions of E given by Equations 12.4-1 through
12.4-4 can be used for the design requirement of a single action such as the moment at beam end
A, but they cannot be used for interactive pairs of actions such as the axial load and moment at the
column section C. These pairs must occur simultaneously because of a common load combination.
For example, both the axial load and the moment must be due to a common direction of the lateral
seismic loading and a common sense of the vertical seismic acceleration effect represented by
0.2 SDSD. There can be cases where the axial load algebraic signs are the same for QE and D, while
the moment algebraic signs are different. This condition would prohibit the use of the same load
combination for both axial load and moment.

To include the algebraic signs of the individual actions, the directional property of the lateral
seismic load effect QE, and the independent reversible property of the vertical seismic load effect
0.2 SDSD, it is proposed to use

E = (QE) 0.2 SDSD, and (QE) 0.2 SDSD.

The resulting set of combinations is

1.2D + (QE) + 0.2 SDSD + L

1.2D + (QE) 0.2 SDSD + L
1.2D + (QE) + 0.2 SDSD + L
1.2D + (QE) 0.2 SDSD + L
0.9D + (QE) + 0.2 SDSD
0.9D + (QE) 0.2 SDSD
0.9D + (QE) + 0.2 SDSD
0.9D + (QE) 0.2 SDSD
(Note: a factor of 0.5 applies to L if L 100 psf [except at garages and public assembly
areas])

2009 IBC Structural/Seismic Design Manual, Vol. I 27

2009_IBCVol1_553011.indd 27 5/2/12 3:51 PM

12.4.2.3 Example 1 Earthquake Load Combinations: Strength Design

For the specific values of = 1.3 and SDS = 1.10, the load combinations provide the following
values for MA, and the interaction pair PC and MC. Note that the interaction pair PC and MC must
occur simultaneously at a specific load combination of gravity load, and lateral and vertical
seismic load effects. The interaction design of the column section must satisfy all of the eight
pairs of PC and MC from the seismic load combinations along with the pairs from the gravity load
combinations and wind load combinations.

Ma Pc Mc
1.42D + 1.3E + 0.5L 11 290.8 274.8
0.98D + 1.3E + 0.5L 33 251.2 257.2
1.42D 1.3E + 0.5L 323 4.8 141.2
0.98D 1.3E + 0.5L 279 34.8 158.8
1.12D + 1.3E 44 243.8 252.8
0.68D + 1.3E 88 204.2 235.2
1.12D 1.3E 268 42.2 163.2
0.68D 1.3E 224 81.8 180.8

The governing values are underlined for MA [same as determined in Part (2)] and for the
interaction pairs of PC and MC required for the design of the column section at C.

Commentary

The eight seismic load combinations resulting from the proposed definition of E provide an
automatic method of considering the individual algebraic signs of the load actions, the direction
of the lateral seismic load, and the independent action of 0.2 SDCD. There is no need to use the
same sign and opposite sign limitations of Equations 12.4-2 and 12.4.2.1 since all possible
combinations are represented. This is important for interactive pairs of actions that must be
evaluated for a common load combination.

When the Modal Response Spectrum Analysis procedure of 12.9 is used, the algebraic signs of
seismic load actions are lost because of the process of combining the individual modal responses.
The signs to be used for an interaction pair of actions due to a given direction of lateral loading
can be obtained from the primary mode response where the primary mode is the mode having the
largest participation factor for the given direction of lateral seismic loading. Or, alternatively, the
signs can be obtained from the equivalent lateral force procedure of 12.8.

28 2009 IBC Structural/Seismic Design Manual, Vol. I

2009_IBCVol1_553011.indd 28 5/2/12 3:51 PM

Example 2 Combinations of Loads 2.4

Example 2
Combinations of Loads 2.4

The code permits the use of allowable stress design for the design of wood members and their
fasteners (ASCE/SEI 7-05 2.4 and 12.4.2.3). Section 2.4 defines the basic load combinations
for allowable stress design.

This example illustrates the application of this method for the plywood shear wall shown below.
The wall is a bearing and shear wall in a light wood framed building.

The following information is given:

Seismic Design Category B

I = 1.0
= 1.0
SDS = 0.3

E = Eh = QE = 4 kips (seismic
force due to the base
shear determined from
12.4.2)

Gravity loads

Dead wD = 0.3 klf (tributary

dead load, including
weight of wall)

Moment arm from center of post to center of hold-down bolt

L = 10 ft (3.5 + 2.0 + 3.5/2) = 10 ft 7.25 in = 9.4 ft

Determine the required design loads for shear capacity q and hold-down capacity T for the
following load combinations.

1. Basic allowable stress design

Calculations and Discussion Code Reference

1. Basic allowable stress design 12.4.2.3

2009 IBC Structural/Seismic Design Manual, Vol. I 29

2009_IBCVol1_553011.indd 29 5/2/12 3:51 PM