General Requirements

Seismic Design and Detailing of Reinforced Concrete Systems

21.2.1 Scope The additional requirements for the design and construction of reinforced concrete structures that resist earthquake forces are given in Chapter 21 of the ACI Building Code. The provisions are tied to the outdated concept of seismic zones. Application of the provisions to seismic design categories is not transparent.

Chapter 21 - ACI 318-05

General Requirements
Component
Material Properties Frame Members Walls and Coupling Beams Precast Walls Diaphragms Foundations Gravity Frames

ACI 318-08
High Risk (Zones 3 and 4)
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Moderate Risk (Zone 2)

No Yes No Yes No No No

Committee 318 has approved the change from seismic zones to seismic design categories for the 2008 edition of the Code. Additional changes are still possible, as two levels of external review are required.

Component
Materials Frame members Structural walls / coupling beams Precast structural walls Structural diaphragms and trusses Foundations Gravity frames Anchors

Seismic Design Category

A No No No No No No No No B No Yes No No No No No No C No Yes No Yes No No No Yes D, E, F Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

General Requirements
Special Structural Systems
Beams in moment-resisting frames 21.3 Columns in moment-resisting frames 21.4 Beam-column joints 21.5 Precast moment-resisting frames 21.6 Structural walls and coupling beams 21.7 Precast structural walls 21.8 Diaphragms 21.9 Foundations 21.10 Non-participating frames 21.11

General Requirements
Intermediate Structural Systems
Beams in Moment-Resisting Frames 21.12 Columns in Moment-Resisting Frames 21.12 Two-way slabs without beams 21.12 Precast structural walls 21.13

Special Material Properties

21.2.4 Concrete
Specified concrete compressive strength must be at least 3000 psi. Specified concrete compressive strength shall not exceed 5000 psi for lightweight concrete.

21.2.5 Reinforcement
ASTM A706 reinforcing steel must be used in frame members and boundary elements of walls. ASTM A615 may be used if the actual yield stress does not exceed the nominal yield stress by more than 18 ksi and if the ratio of the actual tensile strength to actual yield stress exceeds 1.25.

Special Moment-Resisting Frames

Beams Flexural members of special moment frames Columns Special moment frame members subjected to bending and axial load Joints Joints of special moment frames

Detailing Provisions for Beams

Section 21.3

21.3.1 - Scope
A beam is defined as any frame member that resists earthquake-induced forces and is proportioned primarily to resist flexure. Beams must satisfy the following:
Factored axial compressive force must not exceed Agfc/10. Clear span must be more than 4 times the effective depth. Width of member must not be less than the smaller of 0.3h and 10 in. Width of member shall not exceed width of supporting member plus 3/4h of the beam on each side.

21.3.2 Longitudinal Reinforcement

All Locations:
Minimum of 2 continuous bars per face.
3 fc 200 As b d b d fy w fy w

0.025
M M Mn max n1 , n 2 4 4
Mn 2

Mn1

+ Mn1

Mn1 2

+ Mn 2

Mn 2 2

21.3.2 Longitudinal Reinforcement

Lap splices are not permitted within the beam-column joints, within a distance of twice the member depth from the face of the joint, or at locations where flexural hinging is expected. Closely-spaced hoops are required over the length of the lap. Spacing of hoops shall not exceed the smaller of d/4 and 4 in.

21.3.3 Transverse Reinforcement

Closed Hoops

2h

Stirrups with seismic hooks

Closed Hoops

2h
h

First hoop shall be located not more than 2 in. from the face of the supporting member. Spacing of closed hoops shall not exceed the smallest of d/4, 8 times the diameter of the longitudinal bar, 24 times the diameter of the hoop bar, and 12 in. Spacing of stirrups shall not exceed d/2.

21.3.3 Transverse Reinforcement

Hoops in beams are permitted to be made of two pieces of reinforcement: a stirrups having seismic hooks at both ends and a cross tie.

21.3.3 Transverse Reinforcement

Where hoops are required, longitudinal bars on the perimeter shall have lateral support conforming to 7.10.5.3. Hoops shall be arranged such at that every corner and alternate longitudinal bar shall have lateral support provided by the corner of a hoop and no bar shall be farther than 6 in. from such a laterally supported bar.

21.3.4 - Shear Strength Requirements

wu
M pr 1
M pr 2

21.3.4 - Shear Strength Requirements

Ve

= design shear force (factored shear)

Ve

Ve

Ln

M pr = probable flexural strength, calculated using a stress in the reinforcement of 1.25 fy and a strength reduction factor of 1.0.

Capacity Design Approach:

Ve = M pr 1 + M pr 2 Ln w u Ln 2

21.3.4 Shear Strength Requirements

Transverse reinforcement in the regions where hoops are required shall be proportioned to resist shear assuming that Vc = 0 when both of the following conditions occur:
The earthquake-induced shear force represents at least 50% of the required shear strength. The factored axial compressive force including earthquake effects is less than Agfc/20.

Detailing Provisions for Columns

Section 21.4

21.4.1 - Scope
A column is defined as any frame member that resists earthquake-induced forces and has a factored axial force that exceeds Agfc/10. Columns must satisfy the following:
Shorter cross-sectional dimension must be at least 12 in. Aspect ratio for the column must not be less than 0.4.

21.4.2 - Minimum Flexural Strength of Columns

Collapse of individual stories in reinforced concrete buildings often occurs when flexural hinges occur at both ends of the columns during an earthquake. ACI 318-05 includes two procedures to avoid this problem.
21.4.2.2 addresses frames with strong columns and weak beams. 21.4.2.3 addresses frames with strong beams and weak columns.

21.4.2.2 Strong Columns/Weak Beams

A strong column-weak beam system must satisfy:

21.4.2.2 Strong Columns/Weak Beams

Mnc1
Mnb2
Mnb1 Mnc 2 Mnb1 Mnc 2 Mnc1

Mnc ( 6 / 5 ) Mnb

Mnb2

Mnc Mnb

= sum of moments at the faces of the joint corresponding to the nominal flexural strength of the columns framing into that joint. = sum of moments at the faces of the joint corresponding to the nominal flexural strength of the girders framing into that joint. In T-beam construction, where the slab is in tension under the moments at the face of the joint, slab reinforcement within the effective slab width defined in 8.10 shall be assumed to contribute to the flexural strength if the slab reinforcement is developed at the critical section for flexure.

The nominal flexural capacities of the members are summed such that column moments oppose the beam moments. The column strengths must satisfy the relationship for beam moments acting in both directions.

21.4.2.3 Weak Columns/Strong Beams

If the columns do not satisfy the requirements for strong columns, closely-spaced transverse reinforcement is required along the entire height of the column. In addition, the lateral strength and stiffness of columns that do not satisfy 21.4.2.2 must be ignored when calculating the strength and stiffness of the structure.

21.4.3 Longitudinal Reinforcement

The longitudinal reinforcement ratio must not be less than 0.01 nor more than 0.06. Lap splices are only permitted within the center half of the member and must be proportioned as tension splices.

21.4.4 Transverse Reinforcement

In order to ensure adequate deformation capacity, a considerable amount of transverse reinforcement must be provided in all columns that are part of the lateral force resisting system. Because rectangular hoops are less effective than circular spirals in confining the core, the volumetric reinforcement ratio for rectangular hoops is larger.

21.4.4 Spirals and Circular Hoops

Volumetric reinforcement ratio shall not be less than the larger of:

s = 0.45

Ag f 1 c Ach fyt
fyt

f s = 0.12 c

21.4.4 Rectangular Hoops

The total cross-sectional area of rectangular hoop reinforcement shall not be less than the larger of:

21.4.4 Rectangular Transverse Reinforcement

Single or overlapping hoops may be used as the transverse reinforcement. Crossties of the same bar size and spacing of the hoops may also be used. Crossties or legs of overlapping hoops shall not be spaced more than 14 in. on center horizontally.

f Ash = 0.3 sbc c fyt

Ag 1 A ch

f Ash = 0.09 sbc c fyt

bc1

21.4.4 Vertical Spacing of Transverse Reinforcement

Within Lo, s must not exceed the smallest of:
Lo

Lo is the largest of:

b h , , 6d b , so 4 4 14 hx so = 4 + 3 so 6 in.

bc 2 Ash1

h,

Ln , 18 in. 6

Outside Lo, s must not exceed the Lo smaller of:

hx is the maximum spacing of the hoop or crosstie legs on all faces of the column, in. h 14 in.
x

Ash2

6d b , 6 in.

hx 14 in.

Spacing of Transverse Reinforcement

8 so, Maximum vertical spacing of hoops, in.

21.4.5 Shear Strength Requirements

The design shear force in columns is calculated based on the maximum forces that can be generated at the faces of the joint at each end of the member. The end moments for the columns need not exceed the moments generated by the probable flexural strength of the beams framing into the beam-column joint. The design shear must not be less than the factored shear determined from analysis of the structure.

0 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 hx, Maximum horizontal spacing of hoops, in. 14 16

21.4.5 Shear Strength Requirements

P

Transverse reinforcement over the length Lo, shall be proportioned to resist shear assuming that Vc = 0 when both of the following conditions occur:
The earthquake-induced shear force represents at least 50% of the required shear strength. The factored axial compressive force including earthquake effects is less than Agfc/20.

M pr 1

Ve

Detailing Provisions for Beam-Column Joints

Ve = M pr 1 + M pr 2 Hn

Hn

Section 21.5
Ve M pr 2

21.5.1 General Requirements

21.5.1 General Requirements

Forces in longitudinal beam reinforcement at the joint face shall be determined by assuming that the stress in the flexural reinforcement is 1.25 fy. Beam reinforcement that terminates in a beam-column joint must extend to the far face of the confined core and be anchored in tension per 21.5.4 or in compression per Chapter 12.

Ve C1 T1 Ve T2 C2

= 0.85
for shear in joints

Vu = T1 + T2 Ve
h > 20db

21.5.2 Transverse Reinforcement

Transverse hoop reinforcement, as specified for the ends of columns in 21.4.4, must be provided within the joint.

21.5.3 Shear Strength

The nominal shear strength of the joint shall not exceed the values given below:
Joints confined on all four faces Joints confined on three faces or on two opposite faces Other joints 20 fc A j 15 fc A j 12 fc A j

It is not possible to increase the shear strength of the joint by adding more reinforcement.

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21.5.3 Shear Strength

Aj

21.5.4.1 Development Lengths

The development length for a bar with a 90 hook shall not be less than the largest of:
8 db 6 in. fy d b
65 fc

The 90 hook must be located within the confined core of a column or boundary element.

21.5.4.1 Development Lengths

The development length of a straight bar in tension (#3 through #11) must not be less than 2.5 times the development length for a hooked bar if the depth of concrete does not exceed 12 in., and 3.5 times the development length for a hooked bar if the depth of concrete exceeds 12 in. Straight bars terminated in a joint must pass through the confined core of a column or boundary element. Any portion of the straight embedded length that is not within the confined core must be increased by a factor of 1.6.

Members not Designated as Part of the Lateral-ForceResisting System

Section 21.11

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Non-Participating Frames
A large number of reinforced concrete buildings were damaged during the 1994 Northridge earthquake when columns that were designed to resist only gravity loads failed. Codes distinguish between the lateral-load resisting system and gravity-load resisting system, and the detailing provisions are different for members that are not intended to carry lateral loads.

Non-Participating Frames
However, the building must deform as a single unit. Therefore, all members must have sufficient reinforcement details to behave in a ductile manner when pushed into the inelastic region of response during an earthquake.

21.11.1 - Overview
In previous versions of the code, the designer had to subject each of the frame members that was not assumed to contribute to the lateral resistance to twice the calculated lateral displacements under the factored design loads. These members were then designed for the corresponding moments and shears.

21.11.1 - Overview
These provisions were difficult to interpret, so ACI 318-99 (and subsequent versions) gives the designer two options:
subject the member to the design displacements and design accordingly use more stringent detailing provisions for all members.

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21.11.1 - Overview
The change from using twice the design displacement to using the design displacement results from the change in the 1997 UBC to strength design levels. Previous versions of the UBC were based on working stress design levels for earthquake loads.

21.11.2 Displacements Calculated and Forces are Low

When the induced moments and shears under the lateral displacements defined in 21.11.1 combined with the factored moments and shears due to gravity loads do not exceed the nominal flexural and shear capacities of the frame members, the following provisions apply:

21.11.2
Beams must satisfy the longitudinal reinforcement requirements in 21.3.2.1 and stirrups must be spaced no more than d/2 along the entire length of the member.

21.11.2
Columns must satisfy the longitudinal reinforcement requirements in 21.4.3, requirements for hoops and crossties as defined in 21.4.4.1(c) and 21.4.4.3, and design shears are calculated per 21.4.5. The maximum longitudinal spacing of ties may not exceed 6db or 6 in. along the entire length of the column.

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21.11.2
If the factored gravity axial load exceeds 0.35 Po, the area of transverse reinforcement in the column must be at least one-half the amount required in 21.4.4.1.

21.11.2
For the purpose of this analysis, the following combinations of gravity loads must be used: 1.2 D + 1.0 L + 0.2 S or 0.9 D The load factor on L may be reduced to 0.5 except for garages, areas occupied as places of public assembly, and all areas where L is greater than 100 psf.

21.11.3 Displacements Calculated and Forces are High OR Displacements are NOT Calculated
When the induced moments and shears under the lateral displacements defined in 21.11.1 combined with the factored moments and shears due to gravity loads exceed the nominal flexural and shear capacities of the frame members or if the induced forces are not calculated, the following provisions apply:

21.11.3
The material properties must satisfy provisions in 21.2.4 and 21.2.5. Longitudinal reinforcement in beams must satisfy the provisions in 21.3.2.1, design shears must be calculated using the provisions in 21.3.4, and stirrups must be spaced at more than d/2 along the entire length of the member.

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21.11.3
Longitudinal reinforcement in columns must satisfy 21.4.3.1, transverse reinforcement must satisfy provisions in 21.4.4, design shears must be calculated using the provisions in 21.4.5, and transverse reinforcement in joints must satisfy the provisions in 21.5.2.1.

Inconsistencies in 21.11
If the engineer does not evaluate the effects of the design displacements, the design provisions should be more stringent than if the effects of the design displacements are checked and the member has sufficient strength.

Inconsistencies in 21.11
21.11.3 permits column lap splices to be located at the base of the column. (But these columns are at risk of forming plastic hinges.) 21.11.2 requires that column lap splices be located in the center half of the column. (But these columns are unlikely to form plastic hinges.)

Proposal for 318-08

21.11.2.2 Columns must satisfy 21.4.3.1, 21.4.4.1(c) and 21.4.4.3, and 21.4.5. 21.11.2.3 Columns must satisfy 21.4.3, 21.4.4, 21.4.5, and 21.5.2.1.

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