An Introduction to

Earthquake Engineering
Based on AS/NZS 1170 Part 5:
Earthquake Actions New Zealand
Eric Lee
More than 14 years working experience in Engineering Consultancies
Graduated from University of Auckland, New Zealand in 2002
Technical Director of NAL Engineers
Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) Institute of Professional Engineer New Zealand (IPENZ)
International Professional Engineer (IntPE (NZ))

Over 3 years working as the structural coordinator for KVMRT Line One, Northern Elevated Section
Experience on high rise projects up to 40 storeys high
Over 8 years working in New Zealand
Over 6 years working in Malaysia
Seismic design experience includes 13 storey hospital in Vietnam, warehouse up to 55,000 sq ft
geothermal power stations, educational facilities, and water retaining structures up to
300,000 cubic ft
Programme
Programme
1. Spectral Shape
2. Ductility
3. Importance Factor
4. Subsoil Class
5. Natural Period
6. Modal Response Spectrum
7. Equivalent Static Method
9. Lateral Force Method
10.Typical Earthquake Resisting
System Examples
11.Case Studies
12.Q & A
Causes of Earthquake
Tectonic Plates Plate Movement
What is Seismic Engineering Design?
It is NOT a percentage of G
The general misconception is that you can design by giving a standard
coefficient of 10/15/23.25% of gravity to the structure

It is NOT the same for sites within the approximate geographical

region
Determination of site specific soil conditions are required!

It is NOT the same value for steel and concrete structures

Determination of ductility and calculation Natural Period of building is required
What is Seismic Engineering Design?
It is dependent and derived on a combination of the following

Soil type rock, reclaimed land etc

Lateral load resisting system

The importance level of a building

The Natural Period of a building

Spectral Shape
Typical shape of Spectral Graph

AS/NZS 1170 Part 5 Eurocode 8

Ductility
Steel structures
Flexible (typical limited ductility)
Greater energy dissipation
Less force/loads
Moment resisting portal frames

Concrete structures
Rigid (typically elastic)
Lower energy dissipation
Greater force/loads
Shear walls (lift core)
Ductility

AS/NZS 1170 Part 5 Eurocode 8

Importance Factor

AS/NZS 1170 Part 5 Eurocode 8

Subsoil Class

AS/NZS 1170 Part 5 Eurocode 8

Subsoil Class

AS/NZS 1170 Part 5 Eurocode 8

Subsoil Class

AS/NZS 1170 Part 5 Eurocode 8

Subsoil Class

AS/NZS 1170 Part 5 Eurocode 8

Natural Period

Increasing Natural Period of a building reduces load

Modal Response Spectrum
Typically, utilises computer software to analyse
Software typically goes through an iteration process to find the
natural period of the building
This is done through an initial assumption of the period and
finding the deflection of the structure. Thereafter, from the
deflection, the new period is derived and the model is rerun.
Typically, this happens for up to 12 iterations or until the period
is the same
Equivalent Static Method
In AS/NZS 1170 Part 5 Generic criteria for use (at least one of
following must be satisfied)
Height of structure is less than 10 m; or
Largest translation period is less than 0.4s; or
Structure is not irregular (number of criteria set out in Clause 4.5) and
largest translation period is less than 2.0s
Equivalent Static Method
Clause 4.5 (vertical irregularity)
Difference in weight between floors is not more than 150%
Difference in stiffness between floors is not more than 70% or is less
than 80% of the average stiffness of three floors above or below
Difference in shear strength is not less than 90% to the floor above
Difference in geometry of vertical structural elements shall not be more
than 130% between floors
Equivalent Static Method
Clause 4.5 (plan irregularity)
Sum of (horizontal column offset / vert dist between base of upper
column and top of lower column) divided by total number of columns
CANNOT be greater than 0.1
For single column; horizontal column offset divided by vert dist between
base of upper column and top of lower column CANNOT be greater
than 0.4
Max inter-storey displacement due to accidental eccentricity of +/- 0.10
time the plan dimension divided by average displacement CANNOT be
greater than 1.4
Equivalent Static Method
Spectral Shape Factor
Equivalent Static Method
Spectral Shape Factor
Equivalent Static Method
Spectral Shape Factor
Equivalent Static Method
Spectral Shape Factor
Equivalent Static Method
Spectral Shape Factor
Equivalent Static Method
Spectral Shape Factor Typical Christchurch Earthquake
At City Centre Reclaimed Land

Ch(T) = 3.0
Z = 0.3
R = 1.0
N(T,D)= 1.0

C(T) = 0.9
Equivalent Static Method
Horizontal Design Action Coeff Typical Christchurch Earthquake

C(T1) = 0.9

Sp = 0.7
Equivalent Static Method
Horizontal Design Action Coeff Typical Christchurch Earthquake

km = (3-1) x 0.4 + 1
0.7
= 2.14
Equivalent Static Method
Horizontal Design Action Coeff Typical Christchurch Earthquake

C(T1) = 0.9
Sp = 0.7
km = 2.14

Cd(T1) = 0.29 g
Equivalent Static Method
Horizontal Seismic Shear, V (Base Shear)

Cd(T1) = 0.29 g

Dead load
Assume 250 slab + (partitions 1.0kN/m 2; floor area 40 x 40)

Wdead = (24 x 0.25 + 1) x 40 x 40 x 4 floors

= 44,800kN
Equivalent Static Method
Horizontal Seismic Shear, V (Base Shear)

Cd(T1) = 0.29 g

Live load

1.5kN/m2 live load (floor area 40 x 40)

Wlive = [ 0.3 x 1.5 ] x 40 x 40 x 4 floors

= 2,880kN
Note this is for seismic load only. NOT load combination
Equivalent Static Method
Horizontal Seismic Shear, V (Base Shear)

Cd(T1) = 0.29 g

Wt (G+Q) = 44,800 + 2,880kN (load combination = G + EQ + Qc)

Base Shear, V = 0.29 x 47,680kN

= 13,827kN
Equivalent Static Method
Equivalent Static Horizontal Force

Ft = 0.08 V at top ONLY

Wi = weight at each floor
hi = height to each floor
V = base shear
Equivalent Static Method
Equivalent Static Horizontal Force

Ft = 0.08 x 13,827 = 1,106 kN

Wi = 11,920kN

hi = 3, 6, 9, 12 m to each floor
Equivalent Static Method
Equivalent Static Horizontal Force

W1 h1= 11,920 x 3 = 35,760

W2 h2= 11,920 x 6 = 71,520
W3 h3= 11,920 x 9 = 107,280
Wr hr = 11,920 x 12 = 143,040

Sum Wi hi = 357,600
Equivalent Static Method
Equivalent Static Horizontal Force

F1 = 0.92 x 13,827 x ( 35,760 / 357,600) = 1,272 kN

F2 = 0.92 x 13,827 x ( 71,520 / 357,600) = 2,544 kN

F3 = 0.92 x 13,827 x ( 107,280 / 357,600) = 3,816 kN

Fr = 0.08 x 13,827 + 0.92 x 13,827 x ( 143,040 / 357,600) = 6,194 kN

Equivalent Static Method
Ultimate Limit State Load Combination

G + Qc + EQ

Qc caters for vertical live load during a seismic event not the same as seismic weight per
floor

0.4 Residential, office, parking, retail

0.6 Storage
0.4 Roof used for floor type activities
0 All other roofs
Equivalent Static Method
Deflection limits
SLS portal frames = Spacing
200
ULS inter-storey drift
2.5% of floor height
Lateral Force Method
In Eurocode 8: Lateral Force Method Generic criteria for use
Lateral load resisting system continuous from foundation to top
Lateral stiffness and mass shall remain or reduce gradually
Setbacks are allowed, however, there are a number of criteria set out in
Clause 4.2.3.3 (5)
Lateral Force Method
Clause 4.2.3.3 (5)
Gradual setbacks between floors shall not be greater than 20% of the
floor below
For single setback within the lower 15% of the total height of the
structural system, the setback shall not be greater than 50% of floor
below. The resisting system from the vertical projection of floors above
shall resist at least 75% of the force developed in the zone without
assistance from enlarged area
If setbacks are not symmetrical, the sum of the setbacks shall not be
greater than 30% of the foundation plan dimension. Plus, individual
setbacks shall not be greater than 10% of the floor below.
Lateral Force Method
Horizontal Elastic Response Spectrum

T = vibration period of linear single degree of freedom system

ag = design ground acceleration on type A ground (a g = g1 agR)
TB/C/D = limiting periods from spectral acceleration
S = soil factor
h = damping factor, h = 1 for 5% viscous damping
Lateral Force Method
Horizontal Elastic Response Spectrum
T = 0.4 s
ag = 0.08 g (according to clause 3.2.1(4), ag = 0.08; g1 is related to importance
level; agR is up to each nation)
Lateral Force Method
Horizontal Elastic Response Spectrum
T = 0.4 s
ag = 0.08 g (according to clause 3.2.1(4), ag = 0.08; g1 is related to importance
level; agR is up to each nation)
Lateral Force Method
Horizontal Elastic Response Spectrum
T = 0.4 s
TB/C/D = 0.2s to 0.8s (say ground type D)
S = 1.35
Type 1 table used as the geology is not accounted for and the probability of surface-
wave magnitude is not known
Lateral Force Method
Horizontal Elastic Response Spectrum

T = 0.4 s
ag = 0.08 g (according to clause 3.2.1(4), ag = 0.08; g1 is related to importance
level; agR is up to each nation)
TB/C/D = 0.2s to 0.8s (say ground type D)
S = 1.35
h = 1 (damping factor, h = 1 for 5% viscous damping)

Se(T) = 0.08 x 1.35 x 1 x 2.5 = 0.27

Lateral Force Method
Base Shear Force
Sd(T1) = 0.27
m = mass
T1 = Ct H3/4 (for building height up to 40m)
Ct (ductility) = 0.085 for moment resisting steel frame
= 0.075 for moment resisting concrete frame
= 0.050 for all other structures
H = Height of building
l = 0.85 if T1 < 2Tc and building is greater than
two storeys, or 1.0 otherwise
Lateral Force Method
Seismic weight
For independent occupancy, live load combination factor = 0.5
For correlated occupancy (eg educational facilities) = 0.8

Therefore, seismic weight for Eurocode:

G + Q = 44,800 + 4,800kN = 49,600kN
Lateral Force Method
Base Shear Force
Check (Shear wall resisting system)
T1 = 0.050 x 123/4 = 0.32s

Therefore, Fb = 0.27 x 49,600 x 0.85 = 11,383 kN

Compare with AS/NZS for Christchurch, where V = 13,827 kN

Lateral Force Method
Comparison with AS/NZS shear wall

Eurocode Base Shear = 11,383 kN (or 0.23g)

AS/NZS Base Shear = 13,827 kN (or 0.29g note Q reduction is different)

IF shear wall, AS/NZS Base Shear:

Sp = 1.06
km = 1.14

V = 39,574kN (or 0.83g)

Lateral Force Method
Comparison with Eurocode steel frame

Eurocode Base Shear = 11,383 kN (or 0.23g)

AS/NZS Base Shear = 13,827 kN (or 0.29g)

IF steel frame, Eurocode 8 Base Shear:

T1 = 0.085 x 123/4 = 0.55s

V = 11,383 kN (or 0.23g) - same value as shear wall!!!

Lateral Force Method

However, if we increase to a 12 storey building, H = 36

IF steel frame, Eurocode 8 Base Shear:

T1 = 0.085 x 363/4 = 1.25 s

V = 20,832 kN (or 0.14g)

IF shear wall, Eurocode 8 Base Shear:

T1 = 0.050 x 363/4 = 0.73 s

V = 34,224 kN (or 0.23g)

Lateral Force Method
Ultimate Limit State Load Combination

G + Qc + EQ

Qc caters for vertical live load during a seismic event not the same as seismic
weight per floor

0.3 Residential, office

Lateral Force Method
Deflection limits

For buildings having brittle non-structural elements

drift x reduction factor, v less than 0.005h (h/200)

For buildings having ductile non-structural elements

drift x reduction factor, v less than 0.0075h (h/133)

Reduction factor, v to be determined for a 10 year probability of exceedance

Lateral Force Method
Force per floor

Eurocode 8 AS/NZS 1170 Part 5

Examples of Typical Earthquake Resisting
Systems
Shear Wall
Examples of Typical Earthquake Resisting
Systems
Concentric Braced Frame (CBF)
Examples of Typical Earthquake Resisting
Systems
Eccentric Braced Frame (EBF)
Examples of Typical Earthquake Resisting
Systems
Base Isolation Rubber Lead Bearing
Examples of Good Layout vs Bad
Good Layout Bad Layout
Potential Layout Solution
Use of Staircase Core to reposition the Centre of Stiffness
Case Study 1 28 Cathedral Square, Christchurch
Scope of works Structural reviewer for the
proposed 2 tower apartment at Christchurch City
Centre (10 storey plus 15 storey with link bridge)

Lateral Load Resisting System

Steel portal frame in both directions
Base isolation rubber lead bearing

Design resolutions
Isolate link bridge to separate both towers
Base isolation reduced seismic load by 30%
Steel portal frame with possibility to increase
ductility to 6
Case Study 2 Sir James Wattie, Christchurch
Scope of works Structural analysis for the
repair and upgrade of an earthquake damaged
55,000 sq ft warehouse

Lateral Load Resisting System

Steel portal frame one direction
Precast concrete shear walls other direction

Problems with original design

No ceiling diaphragm
Lack of top support for 8m high precast concrete
walls Earthquake by Parts
Precast concrete panel reinforced with A6 mesh
Case Study 3 Henderson Valley, Auckland
Scope of works Structural peer review for
a new 3 storey retirement home

Lateral Load Resisting System

Reinforced concrete masonry in one direction
Concentric Braced Frames in other direction

Suggested design improvements

Eccentric Braced Frames (EBF)
Continuous steel frame throughout height of
building
Structural gap between two wings
Case Study 4 Rhodes St Apartment, Christchurch
Scope of works Structural analysis for the
repair and upgrade of an earthquake damaged 8
storey apartment

Lateral Load Resisting System

Reinforced concrete masonry

Problems with original design

Insufficient shear walls in east-west direction
Partially filled reinforced concrete masonry
Insufficient reinforcing within shear walls (T12 at
600 crs)
Case Study 5 Biltong Office Factory, Christchurch
Scope of works Structural design of a new
8,500 sq ft office factory

Lateral Load Resisting System

Steel portal frame one direction
Cross bracing in the other
Timber plaster shear walls in office

Alternatives considered for design

Steel portal in both directions
Steel portals in office
Case Study 6 Korean Church, Christchurch
Scope of works Structural peer review for
the upgrade of a Korean Church

Lateral Load Resisting System

Concentric Braced Frames in both directions

Potential design improvements

Eccentric Braced Frames (EBF)
Increases Period decreases earthquake
coefficient hence, load
Engineer needs to know how to design the
active link within the EBF
Case Study 7 Carlyle St Small Office, Christchurch
Scope of works Structural analysis for the
upgrade of small commercial office

Lateral Load Resisting System

Precast concrete shear walls in both directions

Problems with original design

No ceiling diaphragm
Lack of top support for 5m high precast concrete
walls Earthquake by Parts

Clients brief
No site welding
Summary
Seismic engineering is NOT a magical percentage of gravity
It is dependant on:
Soil type rock, reclaimed land etc
Lateral load resisting system steel frame, concrete frame, shear wall
The importance level of a building
The Natural Period of a building
Summary
Modal response

Iterative process by assuming an initial Natural Period, then finding the deflection for the initial
Period and recalculating the new Period
Limits of Equivalent Static Method
Height is less than 10m, or
Period is less than 0.4s, or
Structure is not irregular (number of criteria) and largest Period is less than 2s
Limits of Lateral Force Method
Lateral resisting system is continuous from top to bottom, and
Lateral stiffness and mass is the same or gradually reduces, and
Building setback is allowed given a number of criteria
Summary
Equivalent Static Method - Steps
Find the spectral shape factor/coefficient, taking into account
Period
Subsoil Class
Site hazard (related to potential seismic event size)
Return Period and Importance Level
Near Fault Factor

Find the Horizontal Design Coefficient (percentage of G)

Sp, related to ductility, and
km, related to Period and ductility
Summary
Equivalent Static Method - Steps
Find the seismic dead and live loads
Different to ULS combination for live load

Use Equivalent Static Method to find force at each floor

Ultimate Limit State combination (G + Qc + EQ)

This is not the seismic live load, it is the gravity live load in combination with lateral seismic load

Deflection;
ULS drift limit at 2.5% of floor height
SLS for portal frames limit at spacing/200
Summary
Lateral Force Method - Steps
Find which Response Spectra formula to use
TB, TC, TD
Ground acceleration, ag
Soil factor, S
Damping factor, h

Find base shear

Find the seismic dead and live loads, m
l, related to Period
Summary
Lateral Force Method - Steps
Use Lateral Force Method to find force at each floor

Ultimate Limit State combination (G + Qc + EQ)

This is not the seismic live load, it is the gravity live load in combination with lateral seismic
load

Deflection;
Lateral drift limit for buildings having non-structural brittle elements, limit at 0.005 h
Lateral drift limit for buildings having non-structural ductile elements, limit at 0.0075 h
Note that the load can be reduced by a 10 year return factor
THANK YOU
& Questions?