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Design of Greenhouses: Part 4

Importance Factors according to DIN EN 1998-1/NA: 2011
The German National Annex DIN EN 1991-1/NA: 2011 based on DIN 4149: 2005

Reference Ground Accelerations according to DIN EN 1998-1/NA, Table NA.3

For only about 15% of the German territory earthquake design could be relevant.
In Germany the largest "Erdbebenzone 0" covers areas with accelerations up to 0,4 m/s2 (very low seismicity).
Traditionally no earthquake design is required in Zone 0.
All other areas "Erdbebenzone 1" (0,4 m/s2), "Zone 2" (0,6 m/s2) and "Zone 3" (0,8 m/s2)) are areas with low
seismicity. There calculations and structural provisions could be required.
There simplifications are allowed:
1. Only the No Collapse Requirement (NRC) has to be met. DLR can be neglected.
2. If the horizontal earthquake forces are smaller than the wind forces, they can be neglected.

Earthquake zone 0 1 2 3
AgR in m/s2 0 0,4 0,6 0,8
Table 4-1: German earthquake areas and Reference Values for Design Earthquake Accelerations

Overviews over the location of the zones and the appropriate ground parameters are given in DIN EN 1998-1/NA,
NDP to 3.2.1(1) and NCI NA 3.1.3, showing figures NA.1 and NA.2
Exact values are available at www.dibt.de → "Technische Baubestimmungen" → "Erdbebenzonen".
Baden-Württemberg provides a special map: "Karte der Erdbebenzonen und geologischen Untergrundklassen".

Importance Factors (Bedeutungsbeiwerte) γI

for the Importance Categories (Bedeutungskategorien) BK I, II, III and IV
DIN EN 1998-1/NA: 2011 follows the recommendation of EN 1998-1, 4.2.5 (5) concerning the classification system
and the Importance Factors γI, see DIN EN 1998-1/NA, NDP to 4.2.5 (5)P.
In literature and design guides the Approximation 1 Case 2 according to Part 2 of this document is chosen.
Approximation 1: Calculation of TR from γI ≈ (TR/TRC))^(1/k) with TRC and k DIN EN 1998-1
Case 2 with TRC = 475 years and k = 3 Recommended NA, NDP to
Reference Period Earthquake Importance Class (EN 1998-1, table 4.3) 2.1 (1)P
(Design Working Life) 0 I II III IV
n in years Earthquake Importance Factor γI NA,
50 0,6 0,8 1 1,2 1,4 Tab. NA.6
TR = TRC * γI ^k here: Earthquake Return Period TR in years
TR(50) for n = 50 years 103 243 475 821 1303
Probability of Exceedance Pn in the Reference Period n = 50 years
Pn = 1 - e^(-n/TR) here:
P50,T for n = 50 years 0,386 0,186 0,100 0,059 0,038
39% 19% 10% 5,9% 3,8%
Annual Probability of Exceedance P1
P1 = 1 - e^(-1/TR) 0,00970 0,00410 0,00210 0,00122 0,00077
0,97% 0,41% 0,21% 0,12% 0,08%
Earthquake Reference Return Periods TR(n) in years
Design Working Life Earthquake Importance Class
n in years 0 I II III IV
5 10 24 48 82 130
10 21 49 95 164 261
15 31 73 143 246 391
20 41 97 190 328 521
25 51 122 238 410 652
30 62 146 285 492 782
40 82 195 380 657 1.043
50 103 243 475 821 1.303
Table 4-2: Importance Factors and Reference value TRC according to DIN EN 1998-1/NA
 2
Importance Factor γI and Adjustment Factor fE (n) for commercial production greenhouses
Seismic exponent k = 3 γI fE(n) Total Fraction
n = 5 years: 0,60 0,46 28%
Greenhouses Type B:
Importance Class IC0 n = 10 years: 0,60 0,58 35%
n = 15 years: 0,60 0,67 40% of AgR (475)
Greenhouses Type A: n = 15 years: 0,80 0,67 54%
Importance Class IC I n = 30 years: 0,80 0,84 67%
Table 4-3: Importance Factors and Adjustment Factors for commercial production greenhouses

General Conclusions for greenhouses in German Earthquake areas:

1. Sales Greenhouses and Garden Centres:

→  For sales greenhouses BKII (γI = 1; fE(n) = 1) and n = 50 years with TRC = 475 years apply.
They have to be designed using DIN EN 1998/NA in the Eartquake Zones 1 , 2 and 3.

2. Commercial Production Greenhouses according to EN 13031-1:

→ In Germany Greenhouses Type B arrive well below the limit value for very low seismicity
(0,4 m/s2), if the Return Period can be adjusted to the new Importance Class IC0
and the Design Working Life as described here.

maximum: Greenhouse Type B, n = 15 years: γI = 0,6 and fE(15) = 0,67

Condition: Ag = γI * fE (n) * AgR < 0,4 m/s2 (very low seismicity)
Limit value: lim AgR = 0,4 / (0,6 * 0,67) = 0,995 m/s2
lim AgR > max AgR = 0,8 m/s2 (Zone 3) No checks required.

→  Also for Type A (e.G. glass) in Zones with lower seismicity (Erdbebenzone 1 and 2)
the earthquake accelerations are below this limit.
usual case: Greenhouse Type A, n = 15 years: γI = 0,8 and fE(15) = 0,67
Condition: Ag = γI * fE (n) * AgR < 0,4 m/s2 (very low seismicity)
Limit value: lim AgR = 0,4 / (0,8 * 0,67) = 0,746 m/s2
lim AgR > max AgR = 0,6 m/s2 (Zone 2) No checks required.

maximum: Greenhouse Type A, n = 30 years: γI = 0,8 and fE(30) = 0,84

Condition: Ag = γI * fE (n) * AgR < 0,4 m/s2 (very low seismicity)
Limit value: lim AgR = 0,4 / (0,8 * 0,84) = 0,595 m/s2
lim AgR ≈ max AgR = 0,6 m/s2 (Zone 2) No checks required.

→ Only in "Erdbebenzone 3" for Type A Greenhouses EN 1998 is to be considered.

However, the reduced accelerations will lead to very small earthquake forces, which may be
negligible in comparison to wind forces. Additionally, damping effects due to greenhouse
specific details could reduce earthquake loads, see research at TNO Delft, NL.
Only parametric studies could show that.
NOTE: The small, mountainous areas in Zone 3 (0,8 m/s2: Zollernalbkreis, Tübingen, Lörrach)
are not likely places for large commercial production greenhouses(area: > 500 m x 500 m)
Will parametric studies be worth while?

Literature:
1. EN 1998-1: 2004 + AC 2009: Eurocode 8: Design of structures for earthquake resistance - Part 1:
Generel rules, seismic actions and rules for buildings
2. DIN EN 1998-1/NA: 2011: Nationaler Anhang - National festgelegte Parameter - Eurocode 8: Auslegung
von Bauwerken gegen Erdbeben - Teil 1: Grundlagen, Erdbebeneinwirkungen und Regeln für Hochbau
3. Erläuterungen zum VCI Leitfaden: Der Lastfall Erdbeben im Anlagenbau, 2009.
4. A. Ringhofer, G. Schickhofer: Erdbebennormung in Europa und deren nationale Auslegungen. 9. Grazer
Holzbau-Fachtragung, 2011.