Overstrength Factor Page 1

ASCE 7-05 Overstrength Factor Ωo and

Redundancy Factor ρ
Overstrength Factor Ωo:
1. Determine the overstrength factor, ષ࢕ , per Table 12.2-1 (or Table 15.4-1 or 15.4-2 for
non-building structures).

2. For structures with flexible diaphragms, the tabulated value of ષ࢕ is permitted to be

taken as (ષ࢕ − ૙. ૞) ≥ ૛. ૙ (unless a cantilevered column lateral force resisting system
is used, then per Table 12.2-1).

3. If the structure is in SDC C through F then collectors, their splices, and their
connections to resisting elements must be designed for the load combinations with
overstrength in 12.4.3.2 (12.10.2.1).
a. Exception: if the structure is braced by light-frame shear walls then it need only
be designed to resist forces per 12.10.1.1.

4. Per 12.3.3.4, if the structure is in SDC D through F, and has one of the irregularities
listed below:

Horizontal Irregularities Description

Type 1a Torsional irregularity
Type 1b Extreme torsional irregularity
Type 2 Reentrant corner irregularity
Type 3 Diaphragm discontinuity irregularity
Type 4 Out-of-plane offsets irregularity
Vertical Irregularities Description
In-plane discontinuity in vertical lateral force-
Type 4
resisting element irregularity

Then the diaphragm forces from 12.10.1.1 shall be increased by 25% for:
a. Connections of diaphragms to vertical elements and to collectors.
b. Connections of collectors to the vertical elements.
c. Collectors and their connections.

Forces calculated including the overstrength factor of Section 12.4.3 need not be
increased.
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5. Columns, beams, trusses, or slabs supporting discontinuous walls or frames and being
part of a structure having horizontal irregularity type 4 (out-of-plane offsets
irregularity) or vertical irregularity type 4 (in-plane discontinuity in vertical lateral force-
resisting element irregularity) shall have the design strength to resist the maximum
axial force that can be developed in accordance with the load combinations with
overstrength of section 12.4.3.2. Connections to supports for the discontinuous
element shall be designed for the design forces of the discontinuous element (12.3.3.3).

6. Where allowable stress design is used with seismic load combinations including
overstrength factors, the allowable stresses may be multiplied by a factor of 1.2. This
factor may be combined with load duration factors from the NDS (12.4.3.3).

7. Some typical elements that may require overstrength factors include:

a. Collectors and diaphragms (see above).
b. Elements supporting discontinuous walls or frames (per IBC 1620.1.9).
c. Steel braces where R > 3.
d. Anchor bolts.

Redundancy Factor ρ:
1. For structures assigned to SDC D, E, and F, ࣋ = ૚. ૜ unless one of the following two conditions
is met, then ࣋ = ૚. ૙ (12.3.4.2):

a. Each story resisting more than 35% of the base shear in the direction of interest shall
comply with Table 12.3-3.

b. Structures that are regular in plan at all levels provided that the seismic force-resisting
systems consist of at least two bays of seismic force-resisting perimeter framing on
each side of the structure in each orthogonal direction at each story resisting more than
35% of the base shear.

i. The number of bays for a shear wall shall be calculated as the length of shear
wall divided by the story height or two times the length of shear wall divided by
the story height for light-framed construction.

2. ࣋ = ૚. ૙ for the following:

a. Structures assigned to SDC B or C.
b. Drift calculations and P-delta effects.
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c. Design of nonstructural components and design of nonbuilding structures that are not
similar to buildings.
d. Design of collector elements, splices, and their connections for which the load
combinations with overstrength factor of 12.4.3.2 are used and any member where
those overstrength load combinations are required.
e. Diaphragm loads determined using Eq. 12.10-1.
f. Structures with damping systems designed in accordance with section 18.