17

Nonbuilding Structure Design

Fundamentals &
Example Problems
By J. G. (Greg) Soules, P.E., S.E., SECB
Originally developed by Harold O. Sprague, Jr., P.E.

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Disclaimer

 Seismic Design of Nonbuilding
Structures
• What are Nonbuilding Structures (NBS)?
• Use of “Reference Documents”
• NBS Sensitive to Vertical Ground Motions
• NBS Supported by Other Structures
• Example 17.1 - Nonbuilding Structures
versus Nonstructural Components
– Example 17.1.1 - Nonbuilding Structure
– Example 17.1.2 - Nonstructural Component

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures - 2

 Seismic Design of Nonbuilding
Structures
• Nonbuilding Structures Similar to Buildings
– Example 17.2 - Pipe Rack, SDC D
• Nonbuilding Structures Not Similar to Buildings
– Example 17.6 - Tanks and Vessels, SDC D
• Example 17.6.2 - Flat-Bottom Gasoline Tank
– Example 17.7 - Vertical Vessel, SDC D

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures - 3

What are Nonbuilding Structures
(NBS)?

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures - 4

 What are Nonbuilding Structures
(NBS)?
• A nonbuilding structure is any structure that
was not designed for continuous human
occupancy.
• A nonbuilding structure may be supported by
the earth or another structure.
• Requirements for the seismic design of
nonbuilding structures can be found in
Chapter 15 of ASCE 7-16.

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures - 5

 What are Nonbuilding Structures
(NBS)?
• Nonbuilding structures fall into two broad
categories:
– those with structural systems similar to buildings
and
– those with structural systems not similar to
buildings.
• Specific requirements for these two
categories of nonbuilding structures appear in
Sections 15.5 and 15.6 of ASCE 7-16
respectfully.

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures - 6

Use of “Reference Documents”

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures - 7

 Use of “Reference Documents”

• “Reference Documents or Reference

Standards” are industry standards (such as
API 650) for different NBS that have been
accepted by ASCE 7 as modified by the
provisions of Chapter 15.
• Some of the “Reference Documents” listed in
ASCE 7 have well defined seismic design
procedures.

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures - 8

 Use of “Reference Documents”

• The adopted version of the Reference

Documents are listed in Chapter 23 of ASCE
7-16.
• Unless approval is obtained from the
“authority having jurisdiction”, a newer edition
of the Reference Document may not be used
for the seismic design of the nonbuilding
structure.

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures - 9

 Use of “Reference Documents”

• For the purpose of Chapter 15, material

standards such as AISC 360, ACI 318, etc.
are not considered “reference documents”.
• Material standards are generic in nature and
do not contain complete design requirements
for specific classes of nonbuilding structures
such as steel storage racks or tanks.
• The order of precedence is the adopted
building code (IBC), then ASCE 7, and finally
the reference document (e.g. API 650).
Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures - 10
 NBS Sensitive to Vertical Ground
Motions
• The vertical ground motions
0 . 0.8C
8 C V S DS SMS
of NEHRP Provisions

V e r tic a l S p e c tr a l A c c e le r a tio n
v

Chapter 23, based on the 0 .8 C

0.8CS vSMS
V(0 .1 5 /T )
(0.15/Tv)
D S V
0 .7 5

work of Bozorgnia and

0.75
0 .3 C V S D S
0.3C vSM

Campbell (2004), were

incorporated in Section 0 .0 2 5 0 .5 1 .0 1 .5 2 .0

0 .0 5 V e r tic a l P e rio d , T v (s e c )

11.9. 0 .1 5

• These alternate ground

motions are currently only
used for certain NBS.

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures - 11

 NBS Sensitive to Vertical Ground
Motions
• Specific provisions added for liquid and
granular storage tanks/vessels, suspended
structures (such as boilers) and nonbuilding
structures incorporating horizontal
cantilevers.
• These provisions replace the 0.2SDS value
incorporated in ASCE 7-05 with Sav
determined from the vertical response
spectrum and combined with the horizontal
effect using prescribed load combinations.
Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures - 12
NBS Supported by Other
Structures

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures - 13

 NBS Supported by Other
Structures
• Nonbuilding structures supported by other
structures see amplified seismic forces in a
similar manner as nonstructural components.
• Section 15.3 of ASCE 7-16 provides
extensive guidance on the design of
nonbuilding structures supported by other
structures.
• There are 3 possible outcomes when the
provisions of Section 15.3 are used.

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures - 14

 NBS Supported by Other
Structures
• 15.3.1 Less Than 25 percent Combined
Weight Condition
• 15.3.2 Greater Than or Equal to 25 Percent
Combined Weight Condition
─ 15.3.2 (1) Rigid (T < 0.06 sec) Nonbuilding
Structure
─ 15.3.2 (2) Flexible Nonbuilding Structure

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures - 15

 Nonbuilding Structures vs.
Nonstructural Components
• Many industrial structures are classified as
either nonbuilding structures or nonstructural
components.
• The intent of ASCE 7-16 is to provide a clear
and consistent design methodology
regardless of whether the structure is a
nonbuilding structure or a nonstructural
component.
• Central to the methodology is how to
determine which classification is appropriate.
Nonbuilding Structures -
Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples 16
 Nonbuilding Structures vs.
Nonstructural Components
• Table 17-1 provides a simple method to
determine the appropriate classification.

Table 17-1 Applicability of the Chapters of the Standard

Supporting Supported Item

Structure Nonstructural Component Nonbuilding Structure
Chapter 12 for supporting structure; Chapter 12 for supporting
Building structure;
Chapter 13 for supported item Chapter 15 for supported item
Chapter 15 for supporting structure;
Chapter 15 for both supporting
Nonbuilding
structure and supported item
Chapter 13 for supported item

Nonbuilding Structures -
Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples 17
 Nonbuilding Structures vs.
Nonstructural Components
• Example 17.1.1
– Combustion turbine building. Inlet filter

– Building supports four filter

units connected in a fashion
25'

that couples their dynamic

response.
30' 30' 30' 30'

• Example 17.1.2
Figure 17-1 Combustion turbine building
– Combustion turbine building. (1.0 ft = 0.3048 m)
– Building supports four filter
units that are independent
structures.

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures- 18

 Nonbuilding Structures vs.
Nonstructural Components
• Example 17.1.1
– Four inlet filters = WIF = 4 x 34 kips = 136 kips
– Support structure = WSS = 288 kips
– WCombined = 136 kips + 288 kips = 424 kips
WIF 136
  0.321  25%
WCombined 424

– Therefore, ASCE 7-16 Section 15.3.2 is applicable

and the requirements of Chapter 15 are to be
followed.
Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures- 19
 Nonbuilding Structures vs.
Nonstructural Components
• Example 17.1.2
– One (effective) inlet filters = WIF = 34 kips
– Support structure = WSS = 288 kips
– WCombined = (4 x 34 kips) + 288 kips = 424 kips
WIF 34
  0.08  25%
WCombined 424
– Therefore, ASCE 7-16 Section 15.3.1 is applicable
and the requirements of Chapter 13 are to be
followed.

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures- 20

NBS Similar to Buildings

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures - 21

 NBS Similar to Buildings
• Provisions found in Section 15.5.
• Designed and constructed with structural
systems similar to buildings.
• Have dynamic response similar to buildings.
• Specific requirements given for:
– Pipe Racks (15.5.2)
– Storage Racks (15.5.3)
– Electrical Power Generating Facilities (15.5.4)
– Structural Towers for Tanks and Vessels (15.5.5)
– Piers and Wharves (15.5.6)

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures - 22

Nonbuilding Structures Similar to
Buildings
• Example 17.2 Pipe Rack
6 bays @ 20'-0" 5 bays @ 20'-0"
= 120'-0" 20'-0" = 100'-0"
20'-0"

Expansion loop
breaks the
continuity

PLAN Horizontal bracing

at braced bay only
3'-0"

8'-0"
15'-0"

10'-0"
ELEVATION SECTION

Figure 17-2 Pipe rack (1.0 ft = 0.3048 m)

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures- 23

 Nonbuilding Structures Similar to
Buildings
• This example illustrates the calculation of
design base shears and maximum inelastic
displacements for a pipe rack using the
equivalent lateral force (ELF) procedure
(transverse direction only).
• For this example, the design ground motion
parameters are as follows:
– SDS = 0.40
– SD1 = 0.18

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures- 24

Nonbuilding Structures Similar to
Buildings
• Risk Category and Importance Factor
– The upper piping carries naphtha.
– Material safety datasheet (MSDS) for naphtha
indicates that naphtha has a medium lethal
concentration [LC(50)] of 5.2 mg per liter.
– Standard Section C1.5.3 defines a toxic material
as a chemical with a LC(50) between 2 mg per
liter and 20 mg per liter.
– Naphtha is therefore a toxic material and is
assigned to Risk Category III per ASCE 7-16 Table
1.5-1.

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures- 25

Nonbuilding Structures Similar to
Buildings
• Risk Category and Importance Factor
– The lower piping is required for fire suppression
and is assigned to Risk Category IV per ASCE 7-
16 Table 1.5-1.
– Therefore, pipe rack is assigned to Risk Category
IV based on the more severe category.
– From ASCE 7-16 Table 1.5-2, Ie = 1.5
• Seismic Design Category
– Per ASCE 7-16 Section 11.6 based on Risk
Category IV, SDS = 0.40, and SD1 = 0.18, the
Seismic Design Category (SDC) is D.
Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures- 26
Nonbuilding Structures Similar to
Buildings
• Transverse Direction – R Factor Options
– In ASCE 7-16 Table 12.2-1, ordinary steel moment
frames are not permitted in Seismic Design
Category D. There are several options for ordinary
steel moment frames found in ASCE 7-16 Table
15.4-1 as follows:
– ASCE 7-16 Table 15.4-1, Ordinary moment frames
of steel, R = 3.5. According to note c in ASCE 7-16
Table 15.4-1, this system is allowed for pipe racks
up to 35’ without limitations on the connection
type. Option requires the use of the AISC Seismic
Provisions.
Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures- 27
Nonbuilding Structures Similar to
Buildings
• Transverse Direction – R Factor Options
– ASCE 7-16 Table 15.4-1, Ordinary moment frames
of steel with permitted height increase, R = 2.5.
This option is intended for pipe racks greater than
65’ high and limited to 100’ and is not applicable
for this example.
– ASCE 7-16 Table 15.4-1, Ordinary moment frames
of steel with unlimited height, R=1. Option does
not require the use of the AISC Seismic
Provisions.
– For this example, option with R = 3.5 is chosen.

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures- 28

Nonbuilding Structures Similar to
Buildings
• Transverse
  Direction – Seismic Response
Coefficient
– Using ASCE 7-16 Equation 12.8-2:

– From analysis, T = 0.42 second. Using ASCE 7-16

Equation 12.8-3 for T ≤ TL, Cs does not need to
exceed:

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures- 29

Nonbuilding Structures Similar to
Buildings
• Transverse Direction – Seismic Response
Coefficient
– Using ASCE 7-16 Equation 12.8-5, Cs must not be
less than:

Cs = 0.044IeSDS ≥ 0.01 = 0.044(1.5)(0.4) = 0.0264

– ASCE 7-16 Equation 12.8-2 controls; Cs = 0.171.

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures- 30

Nonbuilding Structures Similar to
Buildings
• Transverse Direction – Seismic Weight
– The seismic weight resisted by the moment frame
in the transverse direction is shown below based
on two levels of piping, a 20 ft bent spacing, a bent
width (perpendicular with the piping) of 20 ft,
piping dead weight of 35 psf and structure dead
weight of 10 psf:

W = 2(20 ft)(20 ft)(35 psf + 10 psf) = 36 kips

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures- 31

 Nonbuilding Structures Similar to
Buildings
• Transverse Direction – Base Shear & Drift
– Using ASCE 7-16 Equation 12.8-1 the base shear V
is:

V = CsW = 0.171(36 kips) = 6.2 kips

– Drift of the pipe rack in the transverse direction was

calculated by elastic analysis using the design forces
calculated above. The calculated lateral drift, δxe =
0.328 inch. Using ASCE 7-16 Equation 12.8-15:
  𝐶 𝑑 𝛿 𝑥𝑒 3 ( 0.328 )
𝛿 𝑥= = =0.656 ∈.
𝐼𝑒 1.5
Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures- 32
Nonbuilding Structures Similar to
Buildings
• Transverse Direction – Redundancy Factor
– The seismic force-resisting system is an ordinary
moment resisting frame with only two columns in a
single frame. The frames repeat in an identical
pattern.
– Loss of moment resistance at the beam-to-column
connections at both ends results in a loss of more
than 33% in story strength. Therefore, ASCE 7-16
Section 12.3.4.2 Condition a is not met.

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures- 33

Nonbuilding Structures Similar to
Buildings
• Transverse Direction – Redundancy Factor
– The moment frame as described above consists only
of a single bay. Therefore, ASCE 7-16 Section
12.3.4.2 Condition b is not met.
– The value of r in the transverse direction is therefore
1.3.

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures- 34

NBS Not Similar to Buildings

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures - 35

 NBS Not Similar to Buildings

• Provisions found in Sections 15.6 and

15.7.
• Designed and constructed with structural
systems NOT similar to buildings.
• Have dynamic response NOT similar to
buildings.

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures - 36

 NBS Not Similar to Buildings

• Specific requirements given for:

‒ Earth-Retaining Structures (15.6.1)
‒ Chimneys and Stacks (15.6.2)
‒ Amusement Structures (15.6.3)
‒ Special Hydraulic Structures (15.6.4)
‒ Secondary Containment Systems (15.6.5)
‒ Telecommunication Towers (15.6.6)
‒ Steel Tubular Support Structures for Onshore
Wind Turbine Generator Systems (15.6.7)
‒ Ground-Supported Cantilever Walls or Fences
(15.6.8)
‒ Tanks and Vessels (15.7)
Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures - 37
 Tanks and Vessels
Design Basis
• Seismic loads in liquid
tanks are made up of
three components:
– impulsive (rigid
mass of the tank
shell, roof, and part
of the product)
– convective (sloshing
mass of the liquid)
– vertical
Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures - 38
 Tanks and Vessels
Design Basis
• Convective (sloshing) forces to be evaluated
at 0.5% damping at convective period Tc.
– 1.5 is used to convert 5% damping to 0.5%
damping
• Impulsive and convective components to be
combined by direct sum or SRSS.
• Vertical earthquake forces must be
considered (hydrodynamic hoop forces and
vertical inertia forces).

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures - 39

 Tanks and Vessels
Strength and Ductility
• There are 4 special considerations for tanks and
vessels that will be discussed in the following
slides:
– The importance of providing piping flexibility
(15.7.4).
– The importance of anchor rod stretch (15.7.5).
– The importance of providing seismic
freeboard (15.7.6.1.2).
– Special design requirements for vessel
support skirts.
Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures - 40
 Nonbuilding Structures Not
Similar to Buildings
• Example 17.6.2 Flat-Bottom Gasoline Tank
3/16 Thk Top angle (Toe out)
roof PL 3x3x3/8
3'-9 5/16"
12
3/4

Ring No. 5 - 5/16 Thk

Roof rafters 1R
(54) W14x26
Ring No. 4 - 5/16 Thk
Center column 1C
Shell
20 Dia Sch 10 Ring No. 3 - 5/16 Thk
33' High Height
liquid =40'-0"
level
Internal aluminum Ring No. 2 - 5/16 Thk
floating roof Top of
bottom PL
Ring No. 1 - 0.401 Thk

1"
3'-0" Low 10' 1/4" Thk Ringwall
6" bottom bottom PL
Liquid Level crown at foundation
center
Low rest position 3'-0"
High rest position 6'-0" 120'-0" Nominal Diameter

Figure 17-7 Storage tank section (1.0 ft = 0.3048 m)

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures- 41

 Nonbuilding Structures Not
Similar to Buildings
• This example illustrates the calculation of the base
shear and the required freeboard using the procedure
outlined in API 650 for a petrochemical storage tank in
a refinery tank farm (Figure 17-7).
• The vertical design response spectral acceleration, Sav,
for use in the determination of shell hoop stress will
also be calculated according to the provisions of ASCE
7-16 Sections 11.9 and 15.1.4.
• An impoundment dike is not provided to control liquid
spills.
• According to Standard Section 15.7.8.1, the governing
reference document for this tank is API 650.
Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures- 42
 Nonbuilding Structures Not
Similar to Buildings
• Seismic Parameters
– Risk Category (Section 1.5.1) = III
(The tank is used for storage of toxic or explosive
material based on an LC(50) value of 5.2 mg per
liter taken from a typical MSDS for gasoline.)
– Importance Factor, Ie (Table 1.5-2) = 1.25
– Short-period Response, SS = 1.236 
– One-second Period Response, S1 = 0.406
– Long-period Transition Period, TL = 6 sec.
– Site Class = C

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures- 43

 Nonbuilding Structures Not
Similar to Buildings
• Seismic Parameters
– Design Spectral Acceleration Response
Parameters
• SDS = 0.824
• SD1 = 0.376
– Seismic Force-resisting System (Table 15.4-2)
• Flat-bottom, ground-supported, self-anchored steel tank 
– Response Modification Coefficient, R = 2.5

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures- 44

 Nonbuilding Structures Not
Similar to Buildings
• Based on ASCE 7-16 Section 15.7.6 Note a, the
impulsive acceleration is set equal to SDS.
Sai = SDS = 0.824
 
• Seismic (impulsive) weight.
Wtank = 490.0 kips
 
• WGas = π(60 ft)2(33 ft)(0.0474 kip/ft3)(Wi/Wp)
= 17,691 kips (0.316) = 5,590 kips

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures- 45

 Nonbuilding Structures Not
Similar to Buildings
• The ratio Wi/WT (= 0.316) was determined
from Equation E.6.1.1-1 (only valid for D/H ≥
1.333) of API 650 for a diameter-to-liquid
height ratio of 3.636 as shown below:
  𝐷 120
𝑊𝑖
=
(
𝑡𝑎𝑛h 0.866
𝐻 )= 𝑡𝑎𝑛h 0.866( 33
= 0.316
)
𝑊𝑝 𝐷 120
0.866 0.866
𝐻 33

Wi = Wtank + Wiwater = 490 + 5590 = 6,080 kips

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures- 46

 Nonbuilding Structures Not
Similar to Buildings
• Base
  Shear. According to ASCE 7-16
Equation 15.7-5:

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures- 47

 Nonbuilding Structures Not
Similar to Buildings
• Convective
  Response
• Natural period for the first mode of sloshing.
Using ASCE 7-16 Equation 15.7-12:

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures- 48

 Nonbuilding Structures Not
Similar to Buildings
• Spectral acceleration. Using ASCE 7-16
Equation 15.7-11 with Tc > TL = 6 seconds:

  1.5 𝑆 𝐷 1 𝑇 𝐿 1.5 ( 0.376 ) ( 6 )

𝑆 𝑎𝑐 = 2
= 2
= 0.0649
𝑇𝑐 7.22

• Seismic (convective) weight.

Wc = WGAS (Wc/Wp) = 17,691 (0.640) = 11,322 kips

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures- 49

 Nonbuilding Structures Not
Similar to Buildings
• The
  ratio Wc/Wp (= 0.640) was determined from
Equation E.6.1.1-3 (valid for all D/H) of API 650 for a
diameter-to-liquid height ratio of 3.636 as shown below:
 𝑊 𝑐 =0.230 𝐷 𝑡𝑎𝑛h 3.67 𝐻 =0.230 120 𝑡𝑎𝑛h 3.67 33 =0.640
𝑊𝑝 ( ) (
𝐻 𝐷 33 ) 120 ( ) ( )
• Base shear. According to ASCE 7-16 Equation 15.7-6:

V  Vi 2  Vc2  25052  7352  2,611 kips

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures- 50

 Nonbuilding Structures Not
Similar to Buildings
• Minimum Freeboard

δs = 0.42DiISac = 0.42(120 ft)(1.25)(0.0433) = 2.73 ft

Required freeboard = 0.7 δs = 1.91 ft

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures- 51

 Nonbuilding Structures Not
Similar to Buildings
•  Vertical Seismic, Ev
– ASCE 7-16 Section 15.1.4 requires that the design
vertical response spectral acceleration, Sav, used to
determine hydrodynamic hoop forces in cylindrical tanks
be determined using the requirements of ASCE 7-16
Section 15.7.2c(2).
– Natural vertical period. Using ASCE 7-16
Equation C15.7-2:

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures- 52

 Nonbuilding Structures Not
Similar to Buildings
•  Vertical Seismic, Ev
– Using ASCE 7-16 Equation 11.9.2-4 for the natural
vertical period Tv = 0.182 s, the vertical response
spectral acceleration at the MCER is:

– Cv = 1.15

0.75 0.75
 𝑆 =0.8 𝐶 2 𝑆 0.15 0.15
𝑎𝑣 () ( )
𝑣
3
𝑀𝑆
𝑇𝑣
=0.8 ( 1.15 ) ( 0.824 )
0.182 ( ) =0.656

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures- 53

 Nonbuilding Structures Not
Similar to Buildings

• Example 17.7
H=100'

Vertical Vessel
D=10'

T=3/8"

Figure 17-7 Vertical vessel (1.0 ft = 0.3048 m)

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures- 54

 Nonbuilding Structures Not
Similar to Buildings
• This example illustrates the calculation of the
base shear using the ELF procedure for a
flexible vertical vessel (Figure 17-8). The
vertical vessel contains highly toxic material
(Risk Category IV).
• The weight of the vertical vessel plus
contents is 300,000 pounds.

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures- 55

 Nonbuilding Structures Not
Similar to Buildings
• ASCE 7-16 Section 15.4.4 allows the fundamental
period of a nonbuilding structure to be determined
using a properly substantiated analysis.
• The period of the vertical vessel is calculated using
the equation for a uniform vertical cylindrical steel
vessel as found in Appendix 4.A of ASCE (2011).
  300000
𝑇=
7.78 𝐻
10
6
𝐷 ( )√
2
12 𝑊𝐷
𝑡
=
7.78 100
10
6
10
where: T = period (s)
( )
2

√ 12 ( 100
0.375
10)= 0.762 𝑠

W = weight (lb/ft)
H = height (ft)
D = diameter (ft)
T = shell thickness (in.)
Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures- 56
 Nonbuilding Structures Not
Similar to Buildings
• Seismic Parameters
– Risk Category (Section 1.5.1) = IV
(Highly toxic material)
– Importance Factor, Ie (Table 1.5-2) = 1.5 
– Site Class (Standard Sec. 11.4.2) = D
– Design Spectral Acceleration Response
Parameters
• SDS = 1.86
• SD1 = 0.79

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures- 57

 Nonbuilding Structures Not
Similar to Buildings
• Seismic Parameters
– Seismic Force-resisting System (Table 15.4-2)
• Elevated tanks, vessels, bins, or hoppers: Single
pedestal or skirt supported – welded steel with special
detailing. 
– Response Modification Coefficient, R = 3

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA 1051, Design Examples Nonbuilding Structures- 58

 Nonbuilding Structures Not
Similar to Buildings
• Seismic
  response coefficient. Using ASCE 7-16
Equation 12.8-2:

• From analysis, T = 0.762 seconds. Using ASCE 7-16

Equation 12.8-3, CS does not need to exceed:

 𝐶 = 𝑆𝐷1 0.79
𝑠 = =0.518
𝑇 ( 𝑅 / 𝐼 𝑒 ) 0.762 ( 3/ 1.5 )

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 Nonbuilding Structures Not
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• Using ASCE 7-16 Equation 12.8-5, Cs must not be less
than:

Cs = 0.044IeSDS ≥ 0.03 = 0.044(1.5)(1.86) = 0.123

• ASCE 7-16 Equation 12.8-3 controls; Cs = 0.518.

• Base shear. Using Standard Equation 12.8-1:

V = CsW = 0.518(300 kips) = 155.4 kips

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• Design in the North-South Direction
– Seismic weight. Calculate the total seismic weight,
W, as follows:.

W = WDL + WBoiler = 16,700 kips + 31,600 kips = 48,300 kips

– Base shear. Using ASCE 7-16 Equation 12.8-1:

V = CsW = 0.143(48,300 kips) = 6,907 kips

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h h
h

k = 1 (triangle) k = value between 1 & 2 k = 2 (parabola)

T = 0.5 s 0.5 s < T < 2.5 s T = 2.5 s

(k+1)
h = 2/3 H h= (k+2) H h = 3/4 H

Figure 17-9 Vertical distribution of seismic forces

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•  Referring to Figure 17-9
– Once k is determined, the height to the centroid, ,
of the horizontal seismic force is equal to:

  ( 𝑘 +1 )
h́= 𝐻
( 𝑘 +2 )

– For the vessel period of T = 0.762 second:

 𝑘 =1+ 0.762 −0.5 =1.131

2.5 − 0.5

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•  Referring to Figure 17-9
– The value of is then calculated as:
  (1.131+1 )
h́= (100 )=0.681 ( 100 ) =68.1 𝑓𝑡
( 1.131+2 )
– The overturning moment is then calculated as:

M = = 155.4(68.1) = 10,583 ft-kips

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•  Critical Buckling Check
– Seismic response coefficient with R/Ie = 1.0.
Using ASCE 7-16 Equation 12.8-2:

– Using ASCE 7-16 Equation 12.8-3, Cs does not

need to exceed:

– ASCE 7-16 Equation 12.8-3 controls; Cs = 1.037

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• Base
  shear. Using ASCE 7-16 Equation 12.8-1:

V = CsW = 1.037(300 kips) = 311.0 kips

• Vertical distribution of seismic forces. Moment arm

from Figure 17-9:

• The overturning moment is then calculated as:

M = = 311.0(68.1) = 21,181 ft-kips

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• Stresses at base of skirt.
– Axial stress (fa) =
P/A = 300,000/(π(10)12(0.375)) = 2,122 psi
– Bending stress (fb) =
M/S = 21,181(1,000)12/[(0.375)π(10(12))2/4]
= 59,930 psi
– Shear stress (fv) =
2V/A = 2(311.0)(1,000) /(π(10)12(0.375)) = 4,400 psi

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• Evaluation
  of combined axial stress, bending
stress, and shear stress.
– Uniform Axial Compression (governed by column
buckling):

• Allowable longitudinal stress = Fca = 23,081 psi

– Axial compression due to bending moment:
• Allowable bending stress = Fba = Fxc = 25,770 psi

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•  In-plane shear:

av = 0.8 Cv = 0.2967 Do/t = 320

nv = 0.8197

Allowable shear stress = Fva = nvFve = 17,631 psi

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• Combination
  of uniform axial compression, axial
compression due to bending moment, and shear in
the absence of hoop compression:

  𝑓𝑎 𝛿𝑓 𝑏
Unity = + =2.60>1.0 NG !
( 2 𝐾 𝑠 𝐹 𝑐𝑎 ) ( 𝐾 𝑠 ) ( 𝐹 𝑏𝑎 )
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 Questions?

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 DISCLAIMER
• NOTICE: Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in
this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency. Additionally, neither FEMA nor any of its employees make
any warranty, expressed or implied, nor assume any legal liability or
responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information,
product or process included in this publication.
• The opinions expressed herein regarding the requirements of the NEHRP
Recommended Seismic Provisions, the referenced standards, and the building
codes are not to be used for design purposes. Rather the user should consult
the jurisdiction’s building official who has the authority to render interpretation of
the code.
• Any modifications made to the file represent the presenters' opinion only.

Instructional Material Complementing FEMA P-1051, Design Examples