1.1.

Definition of a Principal Axis 2

1.1.1 What is principal axis? 2
1.1.2 Determine basic ground motion parameters (SS, S1) 3
1.2 Introduction to Research Cases and Methods 3
1.2.1 Research cases and methods 3
1.2.2 Current practical method for solution 3
1.3 Procedure and Verification of the Automatic Calculation of the
Principal Axis Direction 4
1.3.1 Automatic search for the principal direction 4
1.3.2 Principal direction verification method that is used during analysis 5
1.4 Automatic Generation of Load Cases for the Principal Axis 7
1.4.1 Analysis process 7
1.4.2 Introduction to the improvement of function features 7
1.4.3 Summary 8
 When designing a “safe” structure, the possibility of future earthquakes must be considered. A “safe”
design, however, for an earthquake-resistant structure, has a different meaning when comparing
to the common definition of “safety.” When an earthquake occurs, an earthquake-resistant
structure will sustain some damage, but it is important that there is no critical damage for life safety.
With this in mind, designing a safe structure also involves the consideration of economical design.

The most commonly used analysis methods for designing earthquake-resistant structures are
static seismic analysis and response spectrum analysis. Response spectrum analysis uses a scale
factor, which is the ratio of the base shear force from static seismic analysis to the base shear
force from dynamic analysis. This scale factor acts as a safety factor for structural design.

In irregular structures, one directional response spectrum results may include a different direction’s
response. In some cases, the results of both directions may appear similar. When this occurs, the
base shear force from the response spectrum analysis is remarkably smaller than the base shear
force calculated by the static seismic analysis. This causes the scale factor to be very large, also
causing an overestimation for the design.

In order to resolve the issues of economy and structural safety, a common approach is to find and
analyze the principal axes of the structure. The following outlines a brief description of the
subsequent sections discussed in this technical guide.

Response Spectrum Analysis of an Irregular Structure 1

1.1. 1.1.1 What is a principal axis?

Definition of a There are many definitions of a principal axis to a structural engineer:

Principal Axis - “It is the direction in which the seismic load (response spectrum load) has the largest influence
on the structure.”

- “It is the loading angle at which the reaction from the loading direction is the largest.”

- “It is the structural axis, which the reaction from a load in the orthogonal direction is minimal.”

The following descriptions relate the principal axis to earthquake-resistant design:

- “The fundamental criterion of a building is to have the same resistant force regardless of the
earthquake direction.”

- “Design requires the consideration of the direction that generates the largest design member
forces due to an earthquake load, which causes the building to behave most unfavorably to the
earthquake load.”

- “Determine the weakest earthquake direction (principal axis) of the building, in order to satisfy the
above statement.”

- As a reference, explanations for UBC-97 and IBC2000 are stated below. Each indirectly refers to
the principal axis.

[UBC97]

1631.5.2 Number of Modes. The requirement of Section 1631.4.1 states that all significant
modes be included, may be satisfied by demonstrating that for the modes considered, at least
90 percent of the participating mass of the structure is included in the calculation of the
response for each principal horizontal direction.

[IBC2000]

1618.2 Modes. An analysis shall be conducted to determine the natural modes of vibration for
the building including the period of each mode, the modal shape vector (Ф), the mass
participation factor, and the modal mass. The analysis shall include a sufficient number of
modes to obtain a combined modal mass participation of at least 90 percent of the actual
building mass in each of two orthogonal directions.

Reference 1. UBC 97 and IBC 2000

To summarize, an earthquake-resistant structure should be designed so that resistance is

maximized during seismic loads. In order to accomplish this, the principal axis must be determined.
The principal axis is perpendicular to the direction of a seismic load, which induces the largest
member forces in the structure, or in other words, the direction in which a seismic load will have
the greatest impact. However, a standard method to find the principal axis is not clearly mentioned,
but recently, research has developed a reasonable method to find the principal axis of a structure.
The following are recent research cases and methods.

Response Spectrum Analysis of an Irregular Structure 2

1.2.
Introduction to This section will present some research cases to find the principal axis and the current method
Research Cases that is used in practice.

and Methods
1.2.1 Research cases and methods

As mentioned in the definition of the principal axis section, the method to find the principal axis has
not been referred to specifically. The cases, discussed below, are only proposals to find the
principal axis numerically.

(1) E.L. Wilson

Establishment of the Reaction Direction of the 1st Mode to Principal Axis after Modal Analysis.

“Three-Dimensional Static and Dynamic Analysis of Structures,” Computer and Structures, 2002

(2) O.A.Lopez and R. Torres

Finding the Critical Angle Using Modal Analysis Method’s Fundamentals and CQC Theory, Trial and
Error Method. “The Critical Angle of Seismic Incidence and the Maximum Structure Response,”
EESD, 1997

(3) Trial and Error Method: Practical Approach

After performing modal analysis by setting the earthquake loading direction, or the building’s
direction, decide on the loading direction angle where the orthogonal reaction is zero, or consider
the direction of the core members (shear wall/column).

(4) Code Approach

Separately perform the analysis according to the IBC2000 method and combine the results from
this method with the 100/30 rule or SRSS. When the design (appropriate load combination method
is evaluated by the engineer) is performed, it is regarded that an earthquake from all directions can
be resisted.

In order to find the principal axis, as mentioned above, various methods can be used, but there are
many difficulties when applying them in practice. The following method is, therefore, commonly
used.

1.2.2 Current practical method for the solution

The method introduced below, is thought to be the most commonly used method to find the
principal axis; however, the analysis is time-consuming.

Conversion of Loading Direction:

① As shown in figure 1, the analysis is performed by changing the loading direction or changing
the axis of the structure.

② The direction that creates the largest difference between the X and Y components of the base
shear force is in the principal axis. (However, this method requires iterative analyses to find the
principal axis of the structure.)

Response Spectrum Analysis of an Irregular Structure 3

 Figure 1. Determining the Principal Axis by Varying Load Directions

The research cases and methods that are actually used to find the principal axis are valid practices,
but they are time consuming for the engineer. If the above process is built into a program, effective
earthquake-resistant designs are possible for engineers.

The next section will explain this feature in midas Gen and how it can be applied in engineering
practice.

1.3. In this section, the process of finding the principal axis is briefly introduced. An example of a
structure for which the principal axis is difficult to determine will be discussed.
Procedure and
Verification of the
Automatic 1.3.1 Automatic search for the principal direction
Calculation of the Response spectrum analysis is first performed at any angle for a seismic load case. The principal
Principal Axis axis is calculated by midas Gen, and it is displayed in a text file. The angle of the principal axis then
can be used for a second response spectrum analysis.
Direction
The following describes the calculations that midas Gen executes during the analysis:

1. By using the eigenvalue analysis results, the reactions by each mode and the modal participation
factors in each direction are calculated.

𝑅𝑚,𝑥 = 𝛴𝐹𝑚,𝑥 , 𝑅𝑚,𝑦 = 𝛴𝐹𝑚,𝑦

𝛤𝑚,𝑥 = 𝛴∅𝑇𝑚,𝑥 𝑀, 𝛤𝑚,𝑦 = 𝛴∅𝑇𝑚,𝑦 𝑀

2. The program internally starts from the incidence angle direction (𝜃) of 0° to 180°, increasing by
a unit of 1°.

3. The reaction in the loading direction of each mode is calculated.

R m,x (𝜃) = (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝛤𝑚,𝑥 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝛤𝑚,𝑦 ) ∙ 𝑅𝑚,𝑥

R m,y (𝜃) = (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝛤𝑚,𝑥 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝛤𝑚,𝑦 ) ∙ 𝑅𝑚,𝑦

R m,θ (𝜃) = 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 ∙ 𝑅𝑚,𝑥 (𝜃) + 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 ∙ 𝑅𝑚,𝑦 (𝜃)

4. The reactions in the loading directions of each mode are combined using the combination
method defined in the response spectrum analysis.

[SRSS]:
1
2 2 2 2
R θ (𝜃) = [(𝑅1,𝜃 (𝜃)) + (𝑅2,𝜃 (𝜃)) + ⋯ + (𝑅𝑛,𝜃 (𝜃)) ]

[CQC]:

Response Spectrum Analysis of an Irregular Structure 4

 2 2 2
R θ (𝜃) = [(𝑅1,𝜃 (𝜃)) + (𝑅2,𝜃 (𝜃)) + ⋯ + (𝑅𝑛,𝜃 (𝜃)) + 2𝜌12 𝑅1,𝜃 (𝜃)𝑅2,𝜃 (𝜃) + ⋯
1
2
+ 2𝜌(𝑛−1)𝑛 𝑅(𝑛−1),𝜃 (𝜃)𝑅𝑛,𝜃 (𝜃)]

5. Running through steps (2) ~ (3), every direction is calculated, and the direction with the maximum
reaction is determined.

Here,

R m : Response value of mth mode.

∅m : Modal vector of mth mode.

Γm : Modal participation factor of mth mode.

Θ: Angle of loading direction.

In midas Gen, an exact principal axis direction is determined using the above formulas. The result
is then verified using the following method.

1.3.2 Principal direction verification method that is used during analysis

The model used in the verification, as shown in figure 2, is an irregular reinforced concrete structure.

1. Verification Method:

The irregular structure consists of reinforced concrete shear walls.

Figure 2. Verification Model

2. Confirm the Principal Direction through Analysis:

As shown in figure 3, the principal axis direction from the analysis can be confirmed with the output
(*.OUT) file. After the response spectrum analysis is performed.

Figure 3. Confirmation of the Principal Axis Direction with Text File

3. Verification Method with Iterative Analyses:

Response Spectrum Analysis of an Irregular Structure 5

 As shown in table 1, one load case is selected in any direction that is defined by a specific response
spectrum load case, while the base shear force is given relative to each direction.

* Note: In the Main Menu, select Results > Results Tables > Story > Story Shear Force Ratio. By
viewing the Numerical Summation of Story Shear Force, the base shear force can be confirmed.

Table 1. Base Shear Force in Each Direction

Figure 4. Graph of the Base Shear Force in Each Direction

By using the results shown in table 1, a graphical representation of the base shear force with
respect to the loading direction can be constructed. Figure 4 confirms that the principal axis
direction (referred to in figure 3) that is outputted to the*.OUT file and the principal axis direction in
which the maximum base shear force occurs are the same.

Although the accuracy of the result for the principal axis direction can be confirmed through such
verification, the engineering judgment is required. The steps for verification are summarized below:

(1) 1st analysis after generation of a response spectrum load case in one direction.

(2) Confirm the principal axis angle from the *.OUT file.

(3) Regenerate the response spectrum load case using the calculated principal axis angle.

(4) Perform a 2nd analysis using the load case that has been regenerated.

Response Spectrum Analysis of an Irregular Structure 6

 (5) Analyze results and perform design.

For the principal axis direction calculated in midas Gen, the load cases are automatically generated
and iteratively processed. This analysis feature will be discussed in the following section.

The automatically calculated principal axis direction can innovatively shorten the time to perform
the earthquake-resistant design by the engineer. However, as discussed in the previous section,
1.4. difficulties arise when performing iterative analyses in the principal axis direction.
Automatic The following will introduce the analysis process in midas Gen.
Generation of Load
Cases for the
Principal Axis 1.4.1 Analysis process

In the old versions, the principal direction is outputted, but there are complications in generating
the load cases. With the current version, such complications are avoided by performing
calculations, as outlined in figure 5.

Figure 5. Upgraded Procedure for Response Spectrum Analysis

1.4.2 Introduction to the improvement of function features

The following is an introduction to the function regarding the automatic generation of the load
cases in the principal axis direction. While referring to the dialog box as shown in figure 6, the
following steps can be performed to carry out automatic generation:

(1) After checking the ‘Auto-Search Angle’ option, generate the load cases in the ‘Major’ or ‘Ortho’
angle.

(2) Perform analysis.

(3) Confirm the direction of the principal axis.

(4) Confirm the results from the automatic calculation of the Accidental Eccentricity distance.

(5) Confirm the analysis results and perform design.

Response Spectrum Analysis of an Irregular Structure 7

 Figure 6. Automatic Generation of the Load Cases for the Principal Axis

1.4.3 Summary

Throughout this technical guide, the discussion focused on the meaning and research regarding
the principal axis, and the required information for the program. As seen from other methods, no
standard specifically offers how the principal axis should to be found for design. All the methods
only propose to predict the worst case scenario of a possible earthquake. Therefore, many
engineers are concerned about design results for determining the principal axis, or axes for
earthquake-resistant design. midas Gen provides a more effective earthquake-resistant design
process, but it is important to incorporate the engineer’s judgment and discretion.

Response Spectrum Analysis of an Irregular Structure 8