Seismic Design of Industrial

Structures
Craig Brinck, SE
Document Highlight
• Published by ASCE
• General seismic design guidelines
• Tables for finding fundamental

References
period of complex structures
• Recommendations on when to use
dynamic analysis
• Available for purchase from ASCE’s
website
Document Highlight
• Published in AIST newsletter May ‘07
• The authors are experts in the
industry

References
• Excellent reference for industrial
structures in general
• Detailed recommendations for crane
supporting structures
• Free download from AIST at:
http://news.aist.org/newsletter/07_
may_282_298.pdf
Document Highlight
• Published in MSC October ‘13
• Good aid for selecting appropriate
bracing systems

References
• Available for free on AISC’s
website
Response Modification Factor, R
• Accounts for system ductility
• Allows elastic analysis methods
to be used to design inelastic
systems

Ductility
• Reduces seismic design forces Inelastic
• R ≤ 3: Limited ductility – system Elastic

is essentially elastic
• R > 3: System is inelastic –
special detailing is required to
ensure ductility
The Cost of Ductility
“It is recognized that when the designer has the option to design a building
to meet the AISC Specification with R=3, such a design will generally be more
cost effective than the same structure designed in accordance with the AISC
Seismic Provisions using a higher value of R. The extra fabrication, erection
and inspection costs needed to achieve the high ductility commensurate

Ductility
with the higher R more than offset the additional steel tonnage required by
the R=3 system.”
-AISC Seismic Design Manual, 2nd Edition

“If the Seismic Provisions are required because of building type or usage,
system choice, or because of owner preference, all parties should be aware
of the cost involved. The requirements of the Seismic Provisions have been
known to increase the structural steel cost by 30 to 40%.”
- AISC Design Guide 29: Vertical Bracing Connections – Analysis and Design
Response Modification Factor, R

Ductility
AISC Design Guide 29: Vertical Bracing Connections
AISC Design Guide 29: Vertical Bracing Connections
Inelastic Steel Systems
Provisions in AISC 341 that can be difficult to apply:
• Field welding of connections

Systems
• Lateral bracing at points of expected
inelasticity

Ductility
Low Ductility
• Corrosion protection for tube braces
• Special inspection requirements
• Loads based on member capacities –
Overkill for LFRS’s with small tributary
areas
Terminology (per ASCE 7-10)
Building:
“Any structure whose intended use includes shelter of human occupants.”

Nonbuilding Structures
Nonbuilding Structure:
“A structure, other than a building, constructed of a type included in Chapter 15
and within the limits of Section 15.1.1.”

Nonbuilding Structure Similar to a Building:

“A nonbuilding structure that is designed and constructed in a manner similar to
buildings, will respond to strong ground motion in a fashion similar to buildings,
and has a basic lateral and vertical seismic force-resisting system conforming to one
of the types indicated in Tables 12.2-1 or 15.4-1.”
Important Elastic Steel Systems
Systems not Specifically
Detailed for Seismic
Resistance, Excluding
Cantilever Column Systems
• Buildings (Chapter 12)
• R=3
• Restricted to Seismic Design
Categories A-C
• No height limits
Ordinary Concentrically
Ordinary Moment Frames
Braced Frames
Low DuctilityStructures
Systems
• Nonbuilding Structures • Nonbuilding Structures
(Chapter 15) (Chapter 15)
Nonbuilding
• R = 1.5 • R=1
• Permitted in all Seismic • Permitted in all Seismic
Design Categories Design Categories
• No height limits • No height limits
Seismic Weight, W
• Dead load

Base Shear Calculations

• 20% of snow load above 30 psf (unless modified by the Utah
Snow Load Study)
• Normal operating weight of permanent equipment
• Upset condition weight is unlikely during an earthquake
• Collateral load from piping, cable tray, chutework, etc.
• Weight of empty crane, parked in worst case position
Seismic Accelerations (International Projects)
• UBC ‘97 provided seismic accelerations for countries outside the U.S.

Base Shear Calculations

• UBC accelerations were based on a 475 year event
• For international projects, 475 year quakes are often still used
• IBC accelerations are based on a 2500 year event
• USGS website now provides international values compatible with IBC
• Conversions from UBC accelerations to IBC can be roughly made
• SDS ≈ 2.5Ca
• SD1 ≈ Cv
• Sometimes international clients will give you PGA. PGA is not Ss
Seismic Accelerations
(International Projects)

Base Shear Calculations

Seismic Coefficient, Cs
Nonbuilding Structures Nonbuilding Structures Not
Buildings (Ch. 12) Similar to Buildings (Ch. 15) Similar to Buildings (Ch. 15)
• For 𝑇 ≤ 𝑇𝐿 : • For 𝑇 ≤ 𝑇𝐿 : • For 𝑇 ≤ 𝑇𝐿 :

Calculations
Systems
𝑆𝐷𝑆 𝑆𝐷1 𝑆𝐷𝑆 𝑆𝐷1 𝑆𝐷𝑆 𝑆𝐷1
• 𝐶𝑠 = 𝑅 ≤ 𝑅 • 𝐶𝑠 = 𝑅 ≤ 𝑅 • 𝐶𝑠 = 𝑅 ≤ 𝑅
𝐼
𝑇 𝐼
𝑇 𝑇 𝐼
𝐼 𝐼 𝐼

• For 𝑇 > 𝑇𝐿 : • For 𝑇 > 𝑇𝐿 : • For 𝑇 > 𝑇𝐿 :

Ductility
Low Shear
𝑆𝐷1 𝑇𝐿 𝑆𝐷1 𝑇𝐿 𝑆𝐷1 𝑇𝐿
• 𝐶𝑠 = 𝑅 • 𝐶𝑠 = 𝑅 • 𝐶𝑠 = 𝑅
𝑇2 𝐼 𝑇2 𝐼 𝑇2 𝐼

Base
• 𝐶𝑠 ≥ 0.044𝑆𝐷𝑆 𝐼 ≥ 0.01 • 𝐶𝑠 ≥ 0.044𝑆𝐷𝑆 𝐼 ≥ 0.01 • 𝐶𝑠 ≥ 0.044𝑆𝐷𝑆 𝐼 ≥ 0.03
• For 𝑆1 ≥ 0.6𝑔: • For 𝑆1 ≥ 0.6𝑔: • For 𝑆1 ≥ 0.6𝑔:
0.5𝑆1 0.8𝑆1 0.8𝑆1
• 𝐶𝑠 ≥ 𝑅 • 𝐶𝑠 ≥ 𝑅 • 𝐶𝑠 ≥ 𝑅
𝐼 𝐼 𝐼

• For 𝑇 < 0.06 𝑠 (Rigid) • For 𝑇 < 0.06 𝑠 (Rigid)

• 𝐶𝑠 = 0.3𝑆𝐷𝑆 𝐼 • 𝐶𝑠 = 0.3𝑆𝐷𝑆 𝐼

Tanks & Vessels

Fundamental Period - Buildings
Approximate Equations for Buildings:

Base Shear Calculations

𝑇𝑎 = 𝐶𝑡 ℎ𝑛𝑥 (Equation 12.8-7) Section 15.4.4:
“Equations 12.8-7, 12.8-8, 12.8-9,
and 12.8-10 shall not be used for
𝑇𝑎 = 0.1𝑁 (Equation 12.8-8)
determining the period of a
0.0019 nonbuilding structure.”
𝑇𝑎 = ℎ𝑛 (Equation 12.8-9)
𝐶𝑤
𝑥 2
100 ℎ𝑛 𝐴𝑖
𝐶𝑤 = (Equation 12.8-10)
𝐴𝐵 ℎ𝑖 2
ℎ
𝑖=1 1 + 0.83 𝑖
𝐷𝑖
 Fundamental Period – Nonbuilding Structures
• Modal/Eigenvalue Analysis
• Rayleigh Procedure:

Base Shear Calculations

𝑛 2
𝑓 𝛿
𝑖=1 𝑖 𝑖
𝑇 = 2𝜋 𝑛 Roark’s Formulas for Stress & Strain
𝑔 𝑖=1 𝑓𝑖 𝛿𝑖

• Roarke’s Formulas for Stress

& Strain (Simple Structures)
• Guidelines for Seismic
Evaluation and Design of
Petrochemical Facilities
• The Conservative Approach:
𝑆𝐷1
𝑇 = 𝑇0 = 0.2
𝑆𝐷𝑆
ASCE Guidelines for Petrochemical FacilitiesASCE
(2011)
7-10
Nonbuilding Structures Supported by Other
Structures (Case 1)
• Nonbuilding Portion:
• Seismic Forces per Chapter 13

Base Shear Calculations

• R value taken from Chapter 15
• ap value taken from Chapter 13
(see tables w/ footnotes)
• Anchorage per Chapter 13
• Support Structure:
• Design per Chapter 12 or Chapter
15 (whichever applies)
• Include nonbuilding structure in
seismic weight, W
ASCE Guidelines for Petrochemical Facilities (2011)
Nonbuilding Structures Supported by Other
Structures (Case 2)
• Nonbuilding Portion:
• Seismic Forces per Chapter 13

Base Shear Calculations

• R value taken from Chapter 15
• ap value taken as 1.0
• Anchorage per Chapter 13
• Support Structure:
• Design per Chapter 12 or Chapter
15 (whichever applies)
• Include nonbuilding structure in
seismic weight, W
• Use R for the support structure

ASCE Guidelines for Petrochemical Facilities (2011)

Nonbuilding Structures Supported by Other
Structures (Case 3)
• Both portions must be modeled
together

Base Shear Calculations

• Use the lowest R value between
the nonbuilding structure and
the supporting structure
• Design both portions for the
forces from the combined model

ASCE Guidelines for Petrochemical Facilities (2011)

 Structural Irregularities
Structural Irregularities
Torsional Irregularity

Structural Irregularities
2015 NEHRP Provisions
Soft Story Irregularity

Structural Irregularities
2015 NEHRP Provisions
 Mass Irregularity

Structural Irregularities
2015 NEHRP Provisions
Geometric Irregularity

Structural Irregularities
2015 NEHRP Provisions
When is Dynamic Analysis Required?
• Provisions of ASCE 7, Ch. 12 are equally applicable to Ch. 15, and may not
be stringent enough

Structural Irregularities
• Mass irregularities
• Structures with heavy equipment on a flexible structure
• Coupled systems
• Torsional irregularities
• Soft stories
• Offset LFRS with one bay < 70% stiffness of adjacent bay
• Stacks & chimneys
• Irregular vertical vessels
 A Word of Caution

Structural Irregularities
 A Word of Caution

Structural Irregularities
Orthogonal Effects
• 100%/30% rule applies to:
• Weak stories in SDC C or higher

Structural Irregularities
• Columns/walls of intersecting lateral systems, in SDC D or higher, with axial
force ≥ 20% of axial strength.
• Lateral systems frequently share a column in 2 directions
• Dynamic Analysis w/ Orthogonal Effects
• Software may give you the option of using SRSS to combine orthogonal effects
rather than the 100%/30% rule.
• SRSS of orthogonal effects will cause all results to be positive (again).
• Check (+) and (-) SRSS combinations.
Quality
• Foreign Work
• What materials are available? Are they ductile?
• Charpy V-Notch toughness of weld metal.
• How will items be inspected/tested?

Quality
• Explicitly call out important details on the drawings clearly.
• Poor welding is common in developing countries.
• Review the shop drawings thoroughly.
• Special Inspections
• Is the site remote? Are certified special inspectors available nearby?
• Will the local jurisdiction enforce special inspections?
• Keep it simple - avoid using components that require special inspection.
• Bolted connections preferred over welded connections.
Quality
Structure Lifecycle
• The structure always loses
• Plants make frequent upgrades
and modifications. Braces often

Redundancy
get in the way of new
equipment.
• If you build it, they will hit it with
a loader.
• Redundancy is even more
important for industrial
structures.
Redundancy
Redundancy
Redundancy, r
• Members are frequently damaged by trucks or loaders
• Braces are often removed by plant personnel to make room for new
equipment and walkways

Redundancy
• Redundant load paths are more important than ever for industrial
structures
• r = 1.0 is permitted for nonbuilding structures not similar to
buildings
Diaphragms
(or Lack Thereof)
• Bar Grating
• PBR Panel & Standing
Seam Roofs
• Checkered Plate

Diaphragms
(If Detailed Correctly)
Horizontal Bracing Details

Diaphragms
Dowswell, Brice & Blain (2010) Dowswell, Brice & Blain (2010)
Horizontal Bracing Details

Diaphragms
Dowswell, Brice & Blain (2010) Dowswell, Brice & Blain (2010)
Horizontal Bracing Details

Diaphragms
Dowswell, Brice & Blain (2010) Dowswell, Brice & Blain (2010)
Crane-Supporting Steel Structures

Cranes
Types of Crane Columns

Cranes
Web-Plated Columns can be used
too, although they are less common

Schmidt (2001)
Unique Properties of Crane Buildings
• Mass & stiffness properties
• The mass per unit volume is relatively low due to light framing systems and crane
clearances.
• Heavy cranes create a mass irregularity, especially if the building frame is light.
• Crane buildings are usually large sway frames and tend to be very flexible

Cranes
compared to commercial/institutional structures of similar height.
• The upper limit on the fundamental period is probably not applicable here.
• The crane bridge itself could potentially act as a tie spanning between the
columns.
• Members
• Members are typically sized for stiffness to control drift. Designing for inelastic
yielding of such members becomes difficult.
• Slender members are commonly used in an effort to control drift. Using
seismically compact members would affect the building’s cost much more than it
would for a typical commercial/institutional building.
Unique Properties of Crane Buildings
• Building geometry
• High floor-to-roof heights and long roof spans.
• Height restrictions for OMF’s and OCBF’s are overly restrictive for crane
structures considering how flexible they typically are.

Cranes
• Framing systems
• Tributary areas to the lateral load system are usually very small (typically
one bay width).
• Crane buildings often require truss moment frames due to the long roof
spans.
• The stiffness of stepped, laced and battened columns changes abruptly at
the crane elevation.
Drift Limits

Condition Cab/Radio Operated Cranes Pendant Operated Cranes

10-year Wind Load
• Frame Drift < H/240 (AISC DG7) • Frame Drift < H/100 (AISC DG7)
or
• Drift @ T/Rail < H/400 < 2” (AIST) • Drift @ T/Rail < H/400 < 2” (AIST)

Cranes
Crane Forces

Gravity Loads* • Rail Gauge Within +1” and -1/2” • Rail Gauge Within +1” and -1/2”

Seismic Load • 0.025hx = H/40 (ASCE 7) • 0.025hx = H/40 (ASCE 7)

*Reduction in Gravity Loads May be Permitted – See AIST Technical Report #13 and AISC Design Guide 7
 Selecting a Seismic System
• Special Truss Moment Frames
(STMF, R = 7)
• Limited to span lengths of 65 t
• Depth limited to 6 ft

Cranes
• Special detailing requirements

MacCrimmon & Kennedy (1997)

 Selecting a Seismic System
• Behavior is similar to a joist-girder
moment frame per SJI Technical Digest
11
• Strong beam/weak column behavior
expected
• Ordinary Moment Frame System

Cranes
• Max moment that can be delivered by
the system = 1.1RyMp(column)
• System is limited to 1 story. Multiple
bays are permitted
• SJI recommends designing chord
splices and truss connections to
column per Section 7 of the AISC
Seismic Provisions for SDC D, E, or F, or MacCrimmon & Kennedy (1997)
R>3
 Traditional K Factors
• Fix the base
• Stabilizes the columns
(K = 2.0 vs K = 1.2)
• Cuts the moment in the columns

Cranes
down significantly
• Reduces sway significantly
• Anchor chairs are generally
recommended
• Watch foundation overturning

AISC 360-10 Commentary

K-Factors for Frame Members

AISC 360-10 Commentary

 Stepped Column K Factors
• Anderson-Woodward Equations
• Fixed-pinned under crane loads
• Fixed-slider under wind & seismic
• Use the Direct Analysis Method

Cranes
• K=1.0 for all members
• Stability issues are easy to spot

Anderson & Woodward (1972)

 History of the AISC Interaction Equations

1936: Simple Interaction Check

Cranes
P-d Effects Incorporated by “Moment Magnification”
1961:
P-D Effects Still Ignored

Rewritten in Terms of Strength,

2005: But Where Did the Second-Order
Effects Go?

What happens when we mix traditional linear analysis methods with new interaction equations?
Practical Measures
• Even when using an OMF, the location of the column step becomes an
obvious place for potential plastic hinging to occur.
• Design this connection for the plastic moment of the upper column segment in high
seismic areas.
• It may be wise to design column lacing/battens & roof trusses for overstrength (if

Cranes
using R=3).
• Provide a stretch length in the anchor bolts by using anchor chairs.
• Don’t go cheap on the connections.
• Provide redundant load paths (e.g. the roof bracing connecting adjacent
bays).
• If energy dissipation is needed soil-structure interaction could be
considered.
Bracing System Layout vs. Thermal Expansion

Cranes
Mueller (1965) Mueller (1965)
 Pedestal Reinforcement
Pedestal Reinforcement
Pedestal Reinforcement - Tension

Pedestal Reinforcement
ACI 318-08 ACI 318-08
Pedestal Reinforcement - Tension

Pedestal Reinforcement
PCA Notes on ACI 318-11
Pedestal Reinforcement - Shear

Pedestal Reinforcement
Pedestal Reinforcement - Shear

Pedestal Reinforcement
Pedestal Reinforcement - Shear

Pedestal Reinforcement
Tanks

Tanks
Tank Seismic Loads

Tanks
Tank Seismic Loads
Impulsive & Convective Weight
1

• Sum using SRSS – CQC may be 0.9

required for closely spaced 0.8

impulsive & convective
periods 0.7

ACI 350 Rect

• As L/HL approaches zero, the

Tanks
0.6 (I)

Wi/WL & Wc/WL

ACI 350 Rect
(C)
load becomes fully impulsive, 0.5 ACI 350 Circ (I)

and acts at the liquid 0.4

ACI 350 Circ
(C)
API 650 Circ (I)
midheight 0.3

• Sum of impulsive & 0.2

convective usually don’t add 0.1

to exactly 100%
0
0.00 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00 6.00 7.00
D/HL or L/HL
Tank Seismic Loads

Tanks
Tank Anchorage (TanchorageTM)

• Self-Anchored vs. Mechanically

Anchored

Tank Anchorage
• Anchor chairs with 8do stretch length
required for SDC’s C, D, E & F (see ASCE
7-10 15.7.5)
• Do not include the weight of the liquid
as ballast.
• References on circular bolt patterns:
• “Tubular Steel Structures – Theory &
Design” by M.S. TroitskyCircular bolt
• “Pressure Vessel Engineering Handbook”
Cold Weather

Cold Weather
Cold Weather

Cold Weather
http://practicalmaintenance.net/?p=968
http://www.tms.org/pubs/journals/jom/9801/felkins-
9801.html
Cold Weather
• ASTM A633 Grades A, C, D, & E
• Fy ranges from 42 ksi to 60 ksi depending on grade/thickness

Cold Weather
• Suited for -50° F [-45° C]
• Sections built from plates
• S355NL outside the U.S.
• Limiting stress to some fraction of Fy – not recommended for seismic
design
 Corrosion
Corrosion
Atmospheric Corrosion Rates

Corrosion
Albrecht, Hall (2003) Albrecht, Hall (2003)
Atmospheric Corrosion Rates

Corrosion
Albrecht, Hall (2003) Albrecht, Hall (2003)
Mitigating Corrosion (Steel Structures)
• Corrosion Allowance
• Surfaces do not corrode uniformly
• The atmospheric corrosion rates presented do not include any factor of safety
• Commonly used for tanks and pressure vessels (depending on the content)

Corrosion
• Painting
• Paint will need to be reapplied throughout the life of the structure
• Double angles are hard to paint between – intermediate spacers should be bolted
• Cannot paint inside pipes and tubes – cap and seal weld them
• Slip-critical connections – do not use bare steel faying surfaces
• Galvanizing
• Field welding requires cold galvanizing afterward – a process that creates toxic fumes
• Galvanized Bolts
• A490 bolts cannot be galvanized
• Call for galvanized bolts in General Notes - bolts & nuts are an assembly from a single manufacture
Mitigating Corrosion (Steel Structures)
• “Weathering” Steels
• Copper content inhibits oxidation
• A242 (Cor-Ten A)
• A588 (Cor-Ten B)

Corrosion
• Not for abrasive environments

Albrecht, Hall (2003)

Mitigating Corrosion (Concrete Structures)
• Higher compressive strength (f’c)
• Protective coatings
• Corrosion inhibitors

Corrosion
• Extra clear cover
• Epoxy coating
• FRP reinforcing bars
• Smaller bars at closer spacing to limit cracking
• Limit ‘z’ to 95 or 115 as you would for an environmental engineering
structure:
𝑧 = 𝑓𝑠 3 𝐴 × 𝑑𝑐
 References
• Guidelines for Seismic Evaluation and Design of Petrochemical Facilities (2nd
Edition). (2011). Reston, VA: American Society of Civil Engineers.
• Industrial Building Design – Seismic Issues, AIST
• ASCE 7-10: Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures. (2010).
Reston, VA: American Society of Civil Engineers.

References
• NEHRP Recommended Seismic Provisions for New Building Structures (2015
Edition). (2015). Washington, D.C.: Building Seismic Safety Council.
• Technical Digest 11: Design of Lateral Load Resisting Frames Using Steel Joists
and Joist Girders. (2007). Florence, SC: Steel Joist Institute.
• Rolfes, John A., & MacCrimmon, Robert A. (2007). Industrial Building Design –
Seismic Issues. Iron & Steel Technology, May 2007. pp. 282-298.
• Walter, Robert J. (2013). Bracing for Nonbuilding Structures Similar to Buildings.
Modern Steel Construction, October 2013.
• Dowswell, Bo, & Brice, Allen, & Blain, Brian. (2010). Horizontal Bracing. Modern
Steel Construction, July 2010.
 References
• MacCrimmon, Robert A., & Kennedy, D.J. Laurie. (1997). Load and
Resistance Factor Design and Analysis of Stepped Crane Columns in
Industrial Buildings. AISC Engineering Journal, First Quarter 1997.
• Schmidt, Jon A. (2001). Design of Mill Building Columns Using Notional
Loads. AISC Engineering Journal, Second Quarter 2001.

References
• Mueller, John E. (1965). Lessons from Crane Runways. AISC Engineering
Journal, January 1965.
• Albrecht, Pedro, & Hall Jr., Terry T. (2003). Atmospheric Corrosion
Resistance of Structural Steels. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering,
February 2003.
• ACI 318-11: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete (ACI 318-
11). (2011). Farmington Hills, MI: American Concrete Institute.
• PCA Notes on ACI 318-11. (2012). Skokie, IL: Portland Cement Association.