Saes A 204

Engineering Standard
SAES-A-204 25 May 2014

Preparation of Structural Calculations
Document Responsibility: Onshore Structures Standards Committee
Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Table of Contents
1 Scope............................................................. 2
2 Conflicts and Deviations................................. 2
3 References..................................................... 2
4 Purpose of Calculations................................. 3
5 Units............................................................... 3
6 Symbols......................................................... 4
7 Equations....................................................... 4
8 Assumptions................................................... 4
9 Parameters..................................................... 4
10 General Presentation..................................... 5
11 Structural Software Calculations.................... 6
12 Civil/Structural Design Package Check List... 7
13 Structural Calculation Verification
by Alternative Methods........................... 7
Appendix A - Structural Calculation Check List..... 8

Appendix B - Guidelines for Structural Calculation
Verification by Alternative Methods.............. 15
Previous Issue: 28 April 2009 Next Planned Update: 25 May 2019

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Primary contact: Thompson, Scott Burnett on +966-13-8809691
Copyright©Saudi Aramco 2014. All rights reserved.

Document Responsibility: Onshore Structures Standards Committee SAES-A-204
Issue Date: 25 May 2014
Next Planned Update: 25 May 2019 Preparation of Structural Calculations
1 Scope
This Standard covers mandatory requirements governing the preparation of structural

calculations for the design of all industrial and miscellaneous steel, concrete, masonry,
and precast concrete structures including equipment foundations, buildings,
communication towers and offshore structures. Structural calculations are not required
for ladders, handrail or other standard industry designs.
2 Conflicts and Deviations
2.1 Any conflicts between this Standard and other applicable Saudi Aramco
Engineering Standards (SAESs), Materials System Specifications (SAMSSs),
Standard Drawings (SASDs) or industry standards, codes and forms shall be
resolved in writing by the Company or Buyer Representative through the
Manager, Consulting Services Department, Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.
2.2 Direct all requests to deviate from this Standard in writing to the Company or
Buyer Representative, who shall follow internal company procedure SAEP-302
and forward such requests to the Manager, Consulting Services Department,
Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.
3 References
The selection of material and equipment, and the design, construction, maintenance, and
repair of equipment and facilities covered by this standard shall comply with the latest
edition of the references listed below, unless otherwise noted.
 Saudi Aramco References
Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedures

SAEP-103 Metric Units of Weight & Measures
SAEP-302 Instructions for Obtaining a Waiver of a Mandatory
Saudi Aramco Engineering Requirement
SAEP-303 Engineering Reviews of Project Proposal and Detail
Design Documentation
Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards

SAES-A-112 Meteorological & Seismic Design Data
SAES-M-001 Structural Design Criteria for Non-Building Structure
SAES-M-100 Saudi Aramco Building Code
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SAES-Q-001 Criteria for Design and Construction of Concrete

Structures
SAES-Q-005 Concrete Foundations
SAES-Q-007 Foundations and Supporting Structures for Heavy
Machinery
SAES-Q-010 Cement Based, Non-Shrink Grout for Structural and
Equipment Grouting
SAES-Q-011 Epoxy Grout for Machinery Support
SAES-Q-012 Criteria for Design and Construction of Precast and
Prestressed Concrete Structures
Saudi Aramco Materials System Specification

12-SAMSS-007 Fabrication of Structural and Miscellaneous Steel
Saudi Aramco Standard Drawing

AC-036022 Armless Construction, Angle Structure,
60 to 90 Deg., 2.4, 4.16, 13.8 and 34.5 kV
Saudi Aramco Engineering Report

SAER-6089 Seismic Acceleration Contour Maps (KSU)
4 Purpose of Calculations
The purpose of calculations is as follows:

a) To enable the designer to arrive at designs which are safe, feasible and economical.
b) To provide a record for possible future reference.
c) To satisfy code and/or Saudi Aramco requirements as to the adequacy of the design.
d) To facilitate determination of the effects of possible future modifications.
5 Units
All calculations shall be done using the SI metric units as specified in SAEP-103,
“Metric Units of Weight and Measure”, except when calculations are made in
compliance with a Code, or using a computer program, which has not yet been
metricated, the conventional units may be used. The end results of conventional
calculations shall be converted to metric units.
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6 Symbols
Symbols shall conform to the corresponding codes and standards that are referenced in
the applicable Saudi Aramco Standard. The connotation of all symbols in general used
throughout the calculations shall be stated at the beginning of the calculations.
The connotation of symbols used only locally shall be stated immediately before or
after the equations in which they are used.
7 Equations
All equations, graphs, nomographs, etc., used in the calculations shall be:
a) Derived in the calculations, or
b) Referred to in the relevant standard, giving clause number, or
c) If taken from a textbook or other reference document, accompanied by a copy of the
pertinent page(s).
d) Commonly used and easily recognized equations such as PL/4, WL²/8, etc., need
not be derived or have references provided.
8 Assumptions
Assumptions on which calculations are based shall be listed in an orderly manner.

Each assumption supporting the calculations shall be clearly described and a sound
basis (such as historical data) provided for it. The calculations shall provide a brief
statement describing the general design philosophy used in the design including the
design concept adopted.
9 Parameters
The values of all parameters shall be stated at the beginning of the calculations.
Justification is not required for commonly accepted values, e.g., Young's modulus,
Poison's ratio, coefficients of expansion, etc. However, all other parameters shall be
justified, either by quoting a source (e.g., soils report or study) or by brief reasoning or
reference to a standard or code. This applies in particular to the following:
a) Temperature differentials
b) Allowable ground bearing pressures, settlements and differential settlements, as per
the approved CSD Geotechnical Form.
c) Wind pressures, shall be calculated based on the appropriate basic wind speed and
exposure factor defined in SAES-A-112. The calculations shall state basic wind
speed together with height, shape, gust and importance factors used.
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d) Seismic data for locations that are not available in SAES-A-112 shall be taken
from SAER-6089.
10 General Presentation
The calculation presentation shall be in accordance with the following procedures and
requirements:
10.1 The headings shall provide the following information:

a) Saudi Aramco Budget Item, Engineering Work Order or Study number.
b) The name of the originator of the calculations and the name of the checker.
c) The title, which shall clearly describe the contents of the calculations.
d) The date the calculations were made.
10.2 The cover sheet of each calculation package shall be properly labeled to identify
the calculations for a particular Job Order, Engineering Work Order of Study item
and for inclusion in Saudi Aramco permanent records. Individual calculation
sheets following the cover sheet shall be consecutively numbered (1, 2, 3, etc.).
10.3 Calculation packages shall include a Table of Contents and a listing of all codes
and references used. The cut-off date of the reference Saudi Aramco Standard
used during the design shall be indicated.
10.4 All calculations shall be checked and initialed by a competent checker before
being sent to the responsible Project Manager or Engineer. The designated
checker shall perform a number-by-number check of the calculations and verify
that all data used and results arrived at are correct before signing the calculations.
10.5 Calculations are to be in the English language throughout.
10.6 Structural calculations shall include design criteria, all primary load conditions,
critical service load combinations and critical factored load combinations to be
considered in the design. The structural design criteria must be tailored to the
project at hand. The calculations should also include the full derivation of all
basic primary loads (dead, live, wind, seismic, etc.) that have been used or are
shown in the computer analysis input file.
10.7 Calculations shall have sufficient number of sub-headings to indicate clearly

what is being calculated or designed. Both sub-headings and final answers shall
be underlined for easy identification.
10.8 Sufficient explanation shall be given so that calculation methods are easily
understood.
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10.9 Calculations shall be accompanied by sketches, such as Plans (at each level),
Elevations, and Sections as required. Simple clear sketches should be liberally
used, especially for showing basic loading cases and boundary conditions.
Plan layout shall label beams such as B1, B2, G1, G2, etc., to identify beams or
girders being designed.
10.10 Structural calculations shall be complete with the required details including
moment connections and special connections.
10.11 Calculation packages should be limited to pertinent information, voided calculation

sheets shall be removed if these sheets do not contain useful information.
10.12 Calculations which are not clear and complete will not be accepted by Saudi
Aramco.
11 Structural Software Calculations
Structural software calculations shall be in accordance with the following guidelines:
11.1 All computer models shall be accompanied by sketches that show joint and
member numbers, support conditions and loadings.
11.2 A softcopy of the input file shall be furnished to Saudi Aramco to aid in the
review.
11.3 Computer output must be accompanied by the corresponding input. Data provided
as computer input shall be clearly distinguished from those computed in the
program. The first sheet of each computer run shall be signed by the engineer
responsible for the structural design. A program description (User's Guide) shall be
available upon request and contain the information necessary to determine the
nature and extent of the analysis, verify the input data, interpret the results, and
determine whether the computations comply with these requirements.
11.4 Major off-the-shelf commercial structural software packages are acceptable

programs. Other commercial and proprietary software may be acceptable
provided that the suitability and reliability of the software coding have been
verified or certified, and that this verification or certification is furnished upon
request.
11.5 A concise summary of analysis results should be provided. This summary shall be
consciously extracted from the software output by the structural engineer, and shall
clearly display in tabular format the results for the minimum number of critical
members and components that adequately represent the structure. The basis and
methodology for selecting such members shall be described. A brief explanation
shall be provided for members and components that are not deemed necessary to
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include in the summary. The summary should clearly state the result achieved
(e.g., maximum interaction ratios found, deflection ratios, etc.).
12 Civil/Structural Design Package Check List
12.1 Appendix A of this Standard contains a Civil/Structural Design Package Check

List. This check list is provided to ensure that the design package submitted for
review are complete and in compliance with Saudi Aramco Mandatory
Requirements. The check list summarizes key requirements in Saudi Aramco
Engineering Standards, Materials System Specifications and Engineering
Practices.
12.2 The Check List is required to be furnished with the structural calculations.
13 Structural Calculation Verification by Alternative Methods
Structural engineering calculations shall be accompanied by a separate “Structural

Calculation Verification by Alternative Methods” report (SCVAMR) in accordance
with the guidelines in Appendix B of this Standard. The absence of a SCVAMR, or a
SCVAMR that does not comply with these guidelines, will be grounds for immediate
rejection of the entire structural calculation package.
Revision Summary
25 May 2014 Major revision includes the following:
a) Updated and expanded Appendix A;
b) Added new Section 13 and corresponding new Appendix B;
c) Added requirement for CSD Geotechnical Form in Section 9.b.
Minor revision includes updating references and wording throughout.
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APPENDIX A - STRUCTURAL CALCULATION CHECK LIST
Project: ____________________________________ Originator: ____________________________________
Calc # ____________________________________ Checker: ____________________________________
Date: ____________________________________
No. Item Reference Type Yes No N/A Designers Comment

Has the calculation report been prepared in
accordance with Saudi Aramco Engineering
1 SAES-A-204 General
Standard A204 'Preparation of Structural
Calculations'?
Are the names of the responsible engineer and
responsible checker given on the calculation?
Is the structural calculation organized with title
SAES-A-204 Cl. 10.1 -
3 page, table of contents, headings and page General
10.3
numbers?
Is the calculation methodology made clear
4 SAES-A-204 Cl. 10.8 General
with sufficient explanatory notes?
Have the calculations been completed using
5 metric units? Are all units used in the SAES-A-204 Cl. 5 General
calculation clearly identified?
Are the symbols used in the calculation clearly
recognized and consistent with AISC, ACI and
6 SAES-A-204 Cl. 6 General
other international structural engineering
standards?
Have all assumptions used in the calculation
been clearly stated?
Is the CSD Geotechnical Form included in the
package, and are the geotechnical parameters
8 SAES-A-204 Cl. 9(b) General
used in the calculation correct and appropriate
for the design?
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Is the relevant site specific geotechnical
investigation report referenced in the
9 SAES-Q-005 Cl. 4.1.1 General
calculation? Does the project have an
approved CSD Geotechnical Form?
Has the appropriate meteorological data been
included in the calculation? Has the data been
selected from SAES-A-112 'Meteorological &
Seismic Design Data'?
Is the design criteria listed in the calculation
with the source referenced?
Does the calculation include a clear derivation
of all primary load cases? Are sketches
provided with load location and intensity
indicated?
Has the designer referenced Saudi Aramco
13 Best Practices (SABP's) where appropriate and General
applicable to the design?
For each calculation, is it made explicitly clear
14 General
whether ASD or LRFD is being used?
Have all deflection checks (sway, drift, vertical)
15 been made and clearly shown in calculation SAES-M-001 Cl.7.7 General
with reference to criteria?
Has the calculation been made based on
16 SAES-M-001 Cl. 5.2.4.6 General
certified vendor drawings and data sheets?
Are certified vendor data sheets or drawings
17 provided with the calculation for reference General
where appropriate?
Are the structures adequately braced? Has the
18 bracing system been rationalized and General
optimized?
Have moment connections (frames) been
properly identified?
Does the calculation include sketches of the
main framing complete with bracing
configuration, member fixities, member
orientation indicated?
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Has the load path/connection between
21 diaphragm and vertical resisting elements General
been demonstrated?
Where existing structures are included in the
22 design, is the calculation in accordance with SAES-M-001 Cl. 8 General
clause 8 of SAES-M-001?
Have thermal loads been considered and applied
23 SAES-M-001 Cl. 5.7 Loads
in accordance with clause 5.7 of SAES-M-001?
Does the structure need to support hydro test
SAES-M-001
24 loads? Are load combinations with hydro test Loads
Cl. 6.2.5
in accordance with SAES-M-001?
Have wind loads been calculated in accordance
with ASCE 7-05?
Are there any loads which may be
unaccounted for such as electrical, suspended
26 equipment, tanks, HVAC or any other late Loads
design items that may have been added by
other disciplines?
Have earthquake loads been applied in
accordance with ASCE 7-05?
Have hydrostatic loads been included in the
28 design or has the presence of such loads been Loads
ruled out through geotechnical investigation?
Have special load conditions (ie: hydro test) SAES-M-001 Cl.
29 Loads
been noted on the design drawings? 5.2.4.5
Have the dead loads used in the design been
30 Loads
checked against the IFC drawings?
Are the dead loads used for stability
31 calculations reasonable, appropriate and not Loads
overestimated?
Has the weight of fireproofing been included in
32 Loads
the design calculations?
Are the load combinations used in the
33 calculation complete, probable, realistic and SAES-M-001 Cl. 6.1 Loads
appropriate?
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Are the load combinations based on ASCE 7-05?
34 If not, has the designer justified their basis for SAES-M-001 Cl. 6.2.1 Loads
use?
Has the designer considered unbalanced
35 Loads
loading on the structure? Eccentric loads?
For flat roofs has ponding been considered?
If not minimum roof slope and roof drainage
36 SAES-M-100 and IBC Loads
provisions must be made in accordance with
code.
Are the loads used in the calculation for cable
37 trays in accordance with the Aramco SAES-M-001 Cl.5.2.6 Loads
Standard?
Has the structure supporting cranes been
38 checked for the appropriate impact factors as SAES-M-001 Cl. 5.6 Crane
listed in SAES-M-001?
For jib cranes; has the supporting steel been
checked (strength and deflection) as a result of
39 the worst load condition based on load size Crane
and location? Is column checked for minor or
biaxial bending?
Are crane deflection limits as per Cl. 7.6 of
40 SAES-M-001 Cl. 7.6 Crane
SAES-M-001?
Are computer input files included in the report
and are they complete including support
41 locations, member end conditions, loadings, SAES-A-204 Cl. 11 Software
boundary conditions, load cases and load
combinations?
Are the members’ orientations (strong vs.
weak axis) correct in the software model or
42 Software
calculation and in agreement with the
drawings?
Has a summary of the computer generated
output been provided which clearly indicates
43 what results have been achieved by the SAES-A-204 Cl. 11.5 Software
analysis? Member strength ratios?
Maximum deflections under service loads?
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Where the designer has used proprietary
software (Excel, Mathcad, etc…) for structural
44 analysis, has the designer demonstrated the SAES-A-204 Cl. 11.4 Software
accuracy of the results? Has proprietary
software been verified?
Are baseplate holes oversized as per
45 SAES-M-001 Cl. 7.16 Steel
SAES-M-001 and 12-SAMSS-007?
Have column base plates been sized correctly
46 and are they included in the structural Steel
calculation?
Has the structure been designed to
accommodate the effects of thermal
47 SAES-M-001 Cl. 7.1.11 Steel
expansion-contraction? Example: Allowing for
longitudinal movement in pipe rack design.
Have expansion/contraction joints in steel
48 structures been clearly indicated and detailed Steel
on the structural drawings?
Has metal floor/roof decking and/or composite
49 floor been designed in accordance with Steel SAES-M-001 Cl.7.2.1 Steel
Deck Institute (SDI)?
For metal decking; are the gauge, profile and
50 properties clearly indicated on construction Steel
drawings and in calculation?
Where metal decking has been assumed to act
as a diaphragm, have the connections to the
51 SAES-M-001 Cl. 7.2.2 Steel
structural frame been clearly detailed in the
construction drawings?
For water retaining concrete structures, have
52 they been designed in accordance with the SAES-Q-001 Cl. 4.11 Concrete
provisions of ACI 350?
Has precast/prestressed concrete been
designed and detailed in accordance with
53 SAES-M-001 Cl.7.3.3 Concrete
SAES-Q-012 and the Precast/Prestressed
Concrete Institute (PCI)?
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Are the location of all expansion, isolation and
construction joints in concrete clearly
54 Concrete
indicated on the construction drawings and
have these been detailed?
Have the foundations been checked for
55 stability against sliding and overturning with SAES-Q-005 Cl. 4.2 Fdn
the factor of safety clearly identified?
Foundations for reciprocating machines greater
than 200HP or centrifugal machines greater SAES-Q-007 Cl. 5.1.1
56 Fdn
than 500HP have been checked using dynamic and 5.1.2
analysis in accordance with SAES-Q-007?
Has the thickness of footings been checked
using factored loads and has the reinforcing
57 Fdn
been checked against the minimum required
by ACI 318?
For foundation design have existing
58 underground utilities that could interfere with SAES-Q-005 Cl. 4.3.2(f) Fdn
foundation construction been identified?
For column pedestals has the anchor bolt
59 layout been checked against the reinforcing Fdn
bar locations for clashes?
Has grout been specified in accordance with
60 SAES-Q-010 or SAES-Q-011 and is the SAES-Q-005 Cl. 4.3.2c Fdn
minimum thickness specified 25mm?
Are anchor bolts in accordance with Saudi
61 Aramco Standard Drawing No. AC-036022 (rev SAES-Q-005 Cl. 4.8.1 Fdn
8 or later)?
Has the anchor bolt projection been checked
62 against final grout thickness, baseplate Fdn
thickness and nut requirements?
Have allowable bearing pressures been
63 checked (footing sized) against working stress SAES-Q-005 Cl 4.1.2 Fdn
(service loads)?
Have all anchor bolts been designed as cast-in-
place or approval granted in accordance with
64 SAES-Q-005 Cl. 4.8.9 Fdn
clause 4.8.9 of SAES-Q-005 for use of post
installed bolts?
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Have anchor bolts been designed in
65 SAES-Q-005 Cl. 4.8.4 Fdn
accordance to ACI 318 Appendix D?
Have all columns been designed with a
SAES-M-001 Cl.
66 minimum of 4 anchor bolts as required by Fdn
7.1.9(a)
SAES-M-001?
Have pedestals (short columns) been designed
for the worst combination of reaction forces
67 Fdn
including shear, bending, tension or
compression?
Have anchor bolt locations for vendor supplied
68 equipment been checked against the certified Fdn
vendor drawings for correctness?
Are notes on the drawing clear with respect to
the placement of anchor bolts and the use of
69 SAES-Q-005 Cl. 4.8.2 Fdn
templates to hold anchor bolts in position
during construction?
Are rebar spacings adequate to allow flow of
70 Fdn
concrete between bars?
Have additional reinforcing bars been provided
71 Fdn
diagonally at sleeve locations and corners?
Do dowels extending from footing into pedestal
72 have the required development length at each Fdn
end? Is lap splice length correct?
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Appendix B - Guidelines for Structural Calculation

Verification by Alternative Methods
CONTENTS:
1) APPLICABILITY
2) OBJECTIVES
3) DEFINITIONS
4) QUALIFICATIONS
5) SEQUENCE
6) SCOPE
7) METHODOLOGY
8) REPORT FORMAT
1) APPLICABILITY
Structural engineering calculation packages as per SAES-A-204 shall be accompanied by a separate

“Structural Calculation Verification by Alternative Methods” Report (SCVAMR) in accordance with
these guidelines. The absence of a SCVAMR, or a SCVAMR that does not comply with these
guidelines, will be grounds for immediate rejection of the entire structural calculation package.
2) OBJECTIVES
The SCVAMR shall meet all of the following objectives:
1) To assure the safety and performance of structures.
2) To provide an effective mechanism to ensure quality in structural engineering calculations,

supplemental to SAES-A-204,
3) To demonstrate and confirm that design contractors verify their own work, and that they
document this verification.
4) To address the combined challenges of: ever-increasing size and number of projects,
greater reliance on structural software, and closing the contextual gap between Saudi
Aramco and the American jurisdictions developing and employing our adopted codes and
standards.
5) To establish verification by separate, alternative, independent calculation methods, which

are manually performed. (The SCVAMR is not simply a review of the original calculations.)
6) To be as practical as possible, primarily by considering only the minimum number of

frames, members, connections, components, and foundations that are representative of
all significant structural items in the design. The SCVAMR is not intended to be an
individual check on every structural item in the design. The SCVAMR shall briefly state
which systems are not considered and why.
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7) Also to be practical, the SCVAMR may be done “in-house” by the same structural engineers
that prepared the original calculations, since verification may be achieved by alternative
methods. (Third party peer review is separate subject, and is only recommended in special
cases, such as for essential facilities in high seismic design categories.)
8) To simplify structural calculations and provide clear summary tables.
9) To address unique constructability issues.
10) To briefly address durability.
11) Not to encompass a review of other trades (mechanical, electrical, etc.), to the extent that
these trades do not affect the structural design.
12) Not to be a value engineering study.
13) Not to validate the accuracy, precision, or correctness of the software coding of leading
commercial structural software packages that have already been certified.
3) DEFINITIONS
1) SCVAMR: Structural Calculation Verification by Alternative Methods Report.
2) Primary Structural Systems: The combination of members, connections, and components

that resist all gravity and lateral loads, such as columns, beams, vertical bracing, horizontal
bracing, structural walls, floor/roof diaphragms, and foundations – the failure of which
would result in collapse or other catastrophic consequences.
3) Secondary Structural Elements and Connections: Structural elements and connections that
do not contribute to the strength or stability of the overall structure, including but not limited
to girts, purlins, stairs, false ceiling supports, and non-load bearing partitions - the failure of
which would cause significantly adverse effects on performance, serviceability, and safety.
4) Cladding: Exterior elements that enclose or partially enclose buildings or other structures,
such as: wall and roof metal sheeting, wall and roof metal “sandwich” sheeting with
insulation, masonry veneers, etc.
4) QUALIFICATIONS
1) The SCVAMR shall be prepared by a competent and certified structural engineer that has
sufficient experience with the design of structural systems comparable in size and
complexity to those under consideration.
2) The SCVAMR shall be reviewed and checked by a second structural engineer meeting or
exceeding the qualifications of the primary structural engineer.
3) Because the SCVAMR includes verification by separate, independent methods that are
manually performed, the structural engineers that prepare and check the SCVAMR may be
the same engineers that prepared and checked the original design, or may be a suitably
qualified structural engineers from a third party.
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5) SEQUENCE
The sequence of the SCVAMR review shall follow SAEP-303, amended as follows:
Structural design data, criteria, philosophy, major assumptions, explanation of the load paths
and structural system descriptions for resisting gravity and lateral loads (30% Completion).
6) SCOPE
The scope of the SCVP shall include the following:
1) General: Verify, summarize, and list the structural design data, criteria, codes, standards,
other references, philosophy, major assumptions, load paths, input parameters, and the
validity and practicality of the chosen structural systems for resisting gravity and lateral loads.
2) Representative Systems and Components: Select and list the minimum number of
representative frames, members, connections (including gusset and stiffener plates,
welds, and bolts), components, structural walls, floor/roof diaphragms, foundations,
secondary elements and connections, cladding, and other structural items necessary to
adequately represent all significant structural items in the design. Briefly state which
systems are not considered and why.
3) Types of Verification: The adequacy of strength, serviceability, and seismic detailing (as
applicable) shall be verified for the representative systems and components, as follows:
Structures Classified as Seismic Design Category A or B

 All Primary Structural Systems (strength, serviceability)
 Secondary Structural Elements (serviceability only)
Commentary Note:
For SDC = A or B, it is assumed that seismic design does not control and that the
structural system is classified as “ordinary” (meaning no specific seismic detailing
is required). Therefore, only serviceability verifications are needed for the
secondary elements and connections in SDC A and B, while strength and
serviceability verifications are needed for the primary structural system, and
cladding does not need to be verified.
Structures Classified as Seismic Design Category C or D

 All Primary Structural Systems (strength, serviceability, seismic detailing)
 Secondary Structural Elements and Connections (strength, serviceability,
seismic detailing)
 Pre-cast Concrete Cladding and/or Masonry Veneers, and connections
(strength, serviceability, seismic detailing)
Commentary Note:
For SDC C and D, it is assumed that seismic design will or may control, and
therefore, strength, serviceability and seismic detailing verifications are all needed
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for all applicable representative systems and components, including heavy

cladding such as pre-cast concrete panels and/or masonry veneer.
4) Loading: Manual derivation of all basic loads and load combinations on a tributary basis as
applied to the representative structural systems and components.
5) Analysis: Manual 2-D structural analysis using independent, approximate methods, and
employing the principle of superposition to account for 3-D effects.
6) Design: Manual design for strength of all representative systems, components,

connections, and foundations, as applicable.
7) Serviceability: Manual check of serviceability for all representative systems and

components, as applicable.
8) Other Structural Issues: Briefly address other structural issues, as applicable, such as:
constructability, durability, structural redundancy, and the prevention of progressive collapse.
9) Comparison Tables: Simple, clear, and well organized tables of comparison of unity
values for all applicable representative systems and components.
7) METHODOLOGY
The methodology of the SCVAMR shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following.
1) Selection of Representative Systems and Components: The selection of representative

systems and components shall be at the discretion of the SCVAMR structural engineers,
subject to review by Saudi Aramco. The selection shall focus on primary members (the
failure of which would have catastrophic consequences), but also including certain
significant secondary members (the failure of which would cause significantly adverse
effects on performance, serviceability, and safety). The lead structural engineer is
expected to choose and propose these representative items based on their best judgment
with respect to their position as the lead professional overseeing the structural design.
The SCVAMR shall briefly address systems are not considered and why.
2) Manual Derivations of Loading: Manual derivation of all basic loads and load
combinations includes the manual application of the relevant SAES’s and ASCE 7 provisions
to the tributary areas or masses to the 2-D frame or element. When 3-D effects are
applicable, the out of plane force shall be determined using a 2-D approach, and applied
using the principle of superposition to account for 3-D effects. When applicable, highlight
the derived values that correspond to software input file, or clearly state when there is no
corresponding software input (e.g., because loading is software generated). If loading
values are directly input from a reference source, such as piping analysis software results,
provide a copy of the page(s) of software results with the referenced loads highlighted.
Load combinations shall be adequately explained and referenced.
3) Manual Structural Analysis: Manual analysis includes 2-D structural analysis using the
appropriate approximate methods chosen by the SCVAMR structural engineers, subject to
Saudi Aramco review, such as: portal method, cantilever method, moment distribution
method, estimation of inflection points, or other appropriate methodology. When 3-D
Page 18 of 20
effects are applicable, the out of plane force shall be determined using a 2-D approach, and
applied using the principle of superposition to account for 3-D effects. For the verification of
modal analysis for seismic designs, the Equivalent Lateral Force Procedure shall be used and
scaled as per ASCE 7. For modal analysis of buildings, reference “Seismic Design Using
Structural Dynamics” by S. K. Ghosh Associates, Inc., Structures & Codes Institute. In the
special case of machine foundations, or other complex 3-D frame structural analysis that
cannot be conveniently verified by manual methods, independent verification may be
achieved by comparing the results from two separate structural software packages and
models of the same system, each independently modeled and executed.
4) Manual Design Verification: Manually design the member/component based upon the
loading conditions above, the boundary conditions, and the applicable design provisions
(e.g., AISC, ACI, etc.).
5) Manual Serviceability Check: The check for serviceability shall be manually performed for
all representative systems and components, as applicable.
6) Sketches: Each section of the SCVP shall be accompanied by the minimum number of
sketches necessary to visually demonstrate the structural arrangement and loading as
applicable to the section and component under consideration. Insufficient sketches shall
be the basis for rejecting the entire package.
7) Construction Drawings: Whenever possible, the applicable IFC drawings (or preliminary
IFC drawing) shall be included with the applicable representative structural systems and
components highlighted.
8) Spreadsheets and/or Mathcad Sheets: Spreadsheets and/or Mathcad sheets are allowed
to automate the verification process, however, every step of every calculation shall be
clearly presented and described, with proper units, and each input data and formula shall
be referenced in detail. The spreadsheet and/or Mathcad sheet must be easy to follow
upon the first review. Any calculation step that is omitted, no matter how small, shall be
the basis for rejecting the entire package.
9) Structural Software Features Showing Calculations Steps: Some structural software

packages provide a feature that presents all steps required for manual design calculations.
These outputs shall not be included in the SCVP, but they may be referenced internally by
the SCVAMR structural engineers.
10) Comparison Summary Tables: Simple, clear, and well organized tables of comparison of
unity values for all applicable representative systems and components. There shall be no
variance greater than +/-15%, unless a greater variance is explained and justified.
11) Initials of Structural Engineers: Both the primary and second structural engineer shall
indicate their personal confirmation of SCVAMR by physical initialing each page.
12) Referencing: Each formula, value, parameter, guideline, method, equation, factor,
coefficient, etc., shall be referenced. Any reference that is omitted, no matter how small,
shall be the basis for rejecting the entire package.
Page 19 of 20
8) REPORT FORMAT
The main deliverable is the SCVAMR itself, which should come as one document/file in PDF format.
Other necessary parts of this main deliverable that are in different software formats may be
provided separately, but shall be submitted together with the SCVAMR, such as: spreadsheets,
Mathcad files, other program files, etc.
The organization of the SCVAMR sections shall follow the scope and methodology described above
as much as possible and applicable. The main feature of the report is the comparison summary
tables, and these should be presented in an Executive Summary in the beginning of the SCVAMR,
immediately after the table of contents. At a minimum, the SCVAMR must include the following
sets of comparison tables:
1) Software vs. Manual Loading Results,
2) Software vs. Manual Design Results, and
3) Software vs. Manual Serviceability Checks.
The comparison summary tables shall clearly organize and list the representative structural items
that are considered in the SCVAMR, with corresponding relevant value being considered, such as
forces, moments, stresses, deflections, drifts, and structural item size, along with software vs.
manual unity values shown side by side, with any anomalies highlighted.
In addition to the summary tables, the Executive Summary shall clearly state that the selected
structural systems and components adequately represent the entire structural design for the
project, and that they have been verified to be within a +/- 15% variance of the original
calculations by alternative methods. The Executive Summary shall briefly address what structural
systems are NOT included in the SCVAMR and why.
The title/cover page shall read “Structural Design Verification Report by Alternative Methods” and
shall otherwise match the title page format of the original structural design package. A detailed
table of contents with page numbers shall be included, and each page in the report shall be
numbered and shall include the initials of both the primary and second structural engineers that
prepared and checked the SCVAMR. The SCVAMR shall include adequate sections and subsections
with proper headings, sketches, drawings, references, etc.
Page 20 of 20

Saes A 204

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Saes A 204

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Engineering Standard

SAES-A-204 25 May 2014

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Appendix A - Structural Calculation Check List..... 8

Previous Issue: 28 April 2009 Next Planned Update: 25 May 2019

Copyright©Saudi Aramco 2014. All rights reserved.

This Standard covers mandatory requirements governing the preparation of structural

2 Conflicts and Deviations

 Saudi Aramco References

Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedures

Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards

SAES-Q-001 Criteria for Design and Construction of Concrete

Saudi Aramco Materials System Specification

Saudi Aramco Standard Drawing

Saudi Aramco Engineering Report

The purpose of calculations is as follows:

Assumptions on which calculations are based shall be listed in an orderly manner.

10.1 The headings shall provide the following information:

10.5 Calculations are to be in the English language throughout.

10.7 Calculations shall have sufficient number of sub-headings to indicate clearly

10.11 Calculation packages should be limited to pertinent information, voided calculation

11 Structural Software Calculations

Structural software calculations shall be in accordance with the following guidelines:

11.4 Major off-the-shelf commercial structural software packages are acceptable

12 Civil/Structural Design Package Check List

12.1 Appendix A of this Standard contains a Civil/Structural Design Package Check

13 Structural Calculation Verification by Alternative Methods

Structural engineering calculations shall be accompanied by a separate “Structural

APPENDIX A - STRUCTURAL CALCULATION CHECK LIST

Project: ____________________________________ Originator: ____________________________________

Calc # ____________________________________ Checker: ____________________________________

No. Item Reference Type Yes No N/A Designers Comment

No. Item Reference Type Yes No N/A Designers Comment

No. Item Reference Type Yes No N/A Designers Comment

No. Item Reference Type Yes No N/A Designers Comment

No. Item Reference Type Yes No N/A Designers Comment

No. Item Reference Type Yes No N/A Designers Comment

No. Item Reference Type Yes No N/A Designers Comment

Appendix B - Guidelines for Structural Calculation

Structural engineering calculation packages as per SAES-A-204 shall be accompanied by a separate

The SCVAMR shall meet all of the following objectives:

1) To assure the safety and performance of structures.

2) To provide an effective mechanism to ensure quality in structural engineering calculations,

5) To establish verification by separate, alternative, independent calculation methods, which

6) To be as practical as possible, primarily by considering only the minimum number of

8) To simplify structural calculations and provide clear summary tables.

9) To address unique constructability issues.

10) To briefly address durability.

12) Not to be a value engineering study.

2) Primary Structural Systems: The combination of members, connections, and components

The scope of the SCVP shall include the following:

Structures Classified as Seismic Design Category A or B

Structures Classified as Seismic Design Category C or D

for all applicable representative systems and components, including heavy

6) Design: Manual design for strength of all representative systems, components,

7) Serviceability: Manual check of serviceability for all representative systems and

1) Selection of Representative Systems and Components: The selection of representative

9) Structural Software Features Showing Calculations Steps: Some structural software

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Project: Originator:

Calc # Checker: