This document discusses seismic bracing requirements for non-structural building components. It outlines typical earthquake damage to both structural and non-structural elements, describes the purpose of building codes in requiring seismic bracing, and provides an overview of basic earthquake concepts like seismic design categories and occupancy categories. The document also examines specific non-structural elements like mechanical equipment, partitions, and cladding that require bracing, and addresses responsibilities, bracing methods, and resources for further information.

1. Seismic Bracing of
Non-Structural Components
by
Paul W. McMullin, SE, PhD
Seismic Bracing of Non-Structural Components
November 17, 2008

2. Outline
Typical Earthquake Damage Non-Structural Requirements
• Structural (Breakout)
• Mechanical, Electrical, and
• Non-Structural
Purpose of Code Plumbing
Legal • Partitions, Ceilings, and
Earthquake Basics Lights
• Cladding and Parapets
Seismic Bracing of Non-Structural Elements

3. Seismic Meter
Northridge Earthquake
Magnitude 6.7
Estimated Economic
Loss $49.3 billion
PEER (2000)
Seismic Bracing of Non-Structural Elements

4. Damage Examples
Structural
Non-Structural
• Cladding
• Partitions
• Ceiling Systems
• Lights
• Mechanical Equipment
• Piping
Seismic Bracing of Non-Structural Elements

5. Structural Damage Example
SDEDC (1994)
Seismic Bracing of Non-Structural Elements

6. Structural Damage Example
FEMA (2000)
Seismic Bracing of Non-Structural Elements

7. Structural Damage Example
FEMA (2000)
Seismic Bracing of Non-Structural Elements

8. Structural Damage Examples
Philippines Earthquake D.C. Hopkins (1990)
Seismic Bracing of Non-Structural Elements

9. Non-Structural Damage Examples
Structural
Non-Structural
• Cladding
• Partitions
• Ceiling Systems
• Lights
• Mechanical Equipment
• Piping
Northridge Earthquake 1994 (A.B. King)
Seismic Bracing of Non-Structural Elements

10. Non-Structural Damage Examples
Cladding
Mexico City Earthquake 1985 (R.B. Shephard) Mexico City Earthquake 1985 (D.C. Hopkins)
Seismic Bracing of Non-Structural Elements

11. Non-Structural Damage Examples
Cladding (cont)
Seismic Non-Structural
Considerations Niel Palmer, PE
Seismic Bracing of Non-Structural Elements

12. Non-Structural Damage Examples
Partitions
Seismic Non-Structural Considerations Niel Palmer, PE
Seismic Bracing of Non-Structural Elements

13. Non-Structural Damage Examples
Ceiling Systems
Mexico City Earthquake Seismic Non-Structural Considerations Niel Palmer, PE
1985 (D.C. Hopkins)
Seismic Bracing of Non-Structural Elements

14. Non-Structural Damage Examples
Lights
1965 Seattle-Tacoma Earthquake Photo
by Del Ogden Daily Olympian
Seismic Non-Structural Considerations Niel Palmer, PE
Seismic Bracing of Non-Structural Elements

15. Damage Examples
Mechanical Equipment
Non-Structural Elements Timothy P. McCormick
Seismic Bracing of Non-Structural Elements

16. Damage Examples
Piping
Seismic Non-Structural Considerations Niel Palmer, PE
Seismic Bracing of Non-Structural Elements

17. Non-Structural Damage Examples
Racking
1949 Olympia earthquake Photo
from Seattle Times Co.
Seismic Non-Structural Considerations Niel Palmer, PE
Seismic Bracing of Non-Structural Elements

18. What is the Point?
Why can’t I keep doing this the way I used to?
We learn new things after
every earthquake
Sometimes, old way was not
code compliant or enforced
Seismic Bracing of Non-Structural Elements

19. Code Purpose
The purpose of this code is to establish
the minimum requirements to
safeguard the public health, safety and
general welfare…
(IBC 2006, 101.3)
Seismic Bracing of Non-Structural Elements

20. Code Purpose
Seismic Bracing of Non-Structural Elements

21. Legal Progression:
How Did We Get Here?
State Law
• State statute requires use of building code to govern construction
in new and existing buildings. (Utah Admin. Code 58-56, R156-56)
• State law requires IBC 2006
IBC 2006
• 1613.1 Scope: Every structure, and portion thereof, including
nonstructural components that are permanently attached to
structures and their supports and attachments, shall be designed
and constructed to resist the effects of earthquake motions in
accordance with ASCE 7…
ASCE 7-05
• Provides guidance on determining seismic force used to design
bracing. Couple this with material specific codes and requirements
Seismic Bracing of Non-Structural Elements

22. Earthquake Basics
Forces (F=ma)
For earthquakes, although
everything in the building
may be hit with the same
acceleration, the mass
(weight) of the object
determines the force exerted.
Seismic Bracing of Non-Structural Elements

23. Earthquake Code Basics
Seismic Design Category
• Occupancy Category
• Seismic Accelerations
• Provided by Structural
Engineer of Record
Seismic Bracing of Non-Structural Elements

24. Earthquake Code Basics
Occupancy Categories
• Cat I: Low Hazard: Agricultural, temporary, minor storage
facilities
• Cat II: Typical Buildings
• Cat III: Substantial Hazard: Schools, jails, power generation,
water treatment, telecom
• Cat IV: Essential Facilities: Hospitals, fire, police, designated
shelters, aviation control towers, national defense
Seismic Bracing of Non-Structural Elements

25. Earthquake Code Basics
Importance Factor
• Ip=1.5 if any of the following exist
Component is required to function for life-safety purposes after
an earthquake, including fire protection sprinkler systems
The component contains hazardous materials
The component is in or attached to an Occupancy Category IV
structure and it is needed for continued operation of the facility
of its failure could impair the continued operation of the facility.
• Otherwise, Ip=1.0
Seismic Bracing of Non-Structural Elements

26. Earthquake Code Basics
Seismic Bracing of Non-Structural Elements

27. Building Element Bracing
Breakout Groups Task
• Mechanical, Electrical, and • Review Handout
Plumbing • Answer Questions
• Partitions, Ceilings, and • Present What Learned
Lights
• Cladding and Parapets Summarize
Seismic Bracing of Non-Structural Elements

28. Responsibility
Responsibility for Design
Defined for each project
Seismic Bracing of Non-Structural Elements

29. Responsibility (cont.)
Seismic Bracing of Non-Structural Elements

30. Responsibility (cont.)
Seismic Bracing of Non-Structural Elements

31. How Do I Brace Things
Load Path
Provide a way for forces to
get back into structure
Seismic Bracing of Non-Structural Elements

32. How Do I Brace Things
Seismic Bracing of Non-Structural Elements

33. Resources
FEMA 389- Communicating with Owners and Unistrut Seismic Bracing Manual
Managers of New Buildings on Earthquake Risk: (http://www.unistrut.com/literature/index.php?doc
A Primer for Design Professionals =Seismic_App&pg=1)
(http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/ms/rmsp389)
B-Line Seismic Restraints (http://www.b-
FEMA 412- Installing Seismic Restraints for line.com/product/Seismic/index.asp)
Mechanical Equipment
(http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=1
557)
FEMA 413- Installing Seismic Restraints for
Electrical Equipment
(http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=1
436)
FEMA 414- Installing Seismic Restraints for Duct
and Pipe
(http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=1
437)
Seismic Considerations for Steel Storage Racks
Located in Areas Accessible to the Public
(http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=1
439)
Seismic Bracing of Non-Structural Elements

34. Seismic Bracing of
Non-Structural Components
by
Paul W. McMullin, SE, PhD
Seismic Bracing of Non-Structural Components
November 17, 2008