Appendix H.

Determination of Base Shear for Selected Structures

Abstract
This appendix indicates the appropriate structural system factors (R) and base shear
equations that should be used for a number of typical refinery structures and types
of equipment. However, the base shear equations that are given are not comprehensive. Refer to equations through and 100-11 through 100-14 for more detail.
Contents
H1.0

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Page
Determination of Base Shear for Selected Structures

H-1

H-2

September 2000

Appendix H

H1.0

Civil and Structural Manual

Determination of Base Shear for Selected Structures

The appropriate base shear equation that should be used for each type of equipment
or structure is marked by an X.

September 2000

H-2

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Components

Base Shear Equation

C v IW
V = ------------RT

1.0 Vertical vessels and stacks (w/ or w/o

guyed)

ap Ca Ip
hx
F p = ---------------- 1 + 3 ----- W p

Rp
hr

Remarks

V = 0.7C a IW

1.1. Supported on thick skirt

For T 0.06 sec

Anchorage

2.9

For T < 0.06 sec

Anchorage

2.9

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Equipment/Structure Types

X
X

H-3
1.2 Supported on structure
a) For Wv 25% Ws
Wv

Rigid or flexible equipment

supported on flexible structure

5.6

Non building structure with

structure system similar to
building

Steel Ordinary MomentResisting Frame (OMRF)

4.5

Same as above

Concrete Intermediate
Moment-Resisting Frame
(IMRF)

4.5

2.9

Steel/concrete, Special
Moment Resisting Frame
(SMRF)

b) For Wv>25% Ws steel &

conc. SMRF, steel OMRF, and
conc. IMRF

Support structure

Vessel &
anchorage and
support structure

Same as above

Appendix H

September 2000

Ws

Vessel & Anchorage

Components

Base Shear Equation

C v IW
V = ------------RT

2.0 Horizontal vessels/Exchangers

a p C a Ip
h
- 1 + 3 ----x- W p
F p = --------------
Rp
hr

Remarks
V = 0.7C a IW

Appendix H

September 2000

Equipment/Structure Types

2.1 On short/rigid piers

For both longitudinal and

transverse directions
(T <0.06 sec)

Vessel and
anchorage

Support structure

Non building structures

2.2 On flexible piers/tees

H-4
Vessel and
anchorage
Support structure

2.2

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Considered as inverted
pendulum structure

Civil and Structural Manual

For both longitudinal and

transverse directions
T 0.06 sec

Components

R
C v IW
V = ------------RT

3.0 Aircooled exchangers (fin fans)

3.1 Mounted at grade
a. Longitudinal bent concentric steel
brace frame
b. Transverse bent steel OMRF

Base Shear Equation

Braced frame

4.5

Moment frame

4.5

a p C a Ip
hx
F p = ---------------- 1 + 3 ----- W p

Rp
hr

Remarks
V = 0.7C a IW

Non building structure w/a

structural system similar to
buildings.
Same as above

3.2 Mounted on top of pipeway (less than

25% of structure weight)
a. Transverse bent
X

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Equipment/Structure Types

Alternatively, the fin fan

may be coupled and evaluated together with the
pipeway as a non-building
structure with a structural
system similar to buildings.

Fin fan design

4.5

Steel & conc. SMRF or

OMRF

Pipeway design

SEE

Steel con-centric
braced frame (CBF)

Fin fan design

4.5

Steel con-centric
braced frame (CBF)

Pipeway design

SEE

ITEM

NO. 4.0

Include reaction from fin

fan

Concrete SMRF or
OMRF

Pipeway design

SEE

ITEM

NO. 4.0

Same as above

H-5

Steel OMRF

ITEM

Include reaction from fin

fan

NO. 4.0

b. Longitudinal bent
X

Same as above for fin fan

design

Appendix H

September 2000

Components

Base Shear Equation

C v IW
V = ------------RT

4.0 Pipeway

a p C a Ip
h
- 1 + 3 ----x- W p
F p = --------------
Rp
hr

Remarks
V = 0.7C a IW

Appendix H

September 2000

Equipment/Structure Types

Transverse
Longitudinal

4.1 Steel frame main pipeway

a) Transverse bent
b) Longitudinal bent

H-6

4.2 Concrete frame main pipeway

a) Transverse bent

b) Longitudinal bent

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5.6
4.5

X
X

EBF
CBF

5.6
4.5

X
X

SMRF
IMRF
OMRF

5.6
4.5
3.5

X
X
X

SMRF
IMRF
OMRF
Steel bracing
(CBF)

5.6
4.5
3.5
4.5

X
X
X
X

Cantilever
Column

2.9

Non building structure with

structural system similar to
building

Non building structure with

structural system similar to
building

Note difference between

pipeway and inverted
pendulum

Civil and Structural Manual

4.3 Steel/concrete cantilever stanchion

SMRF
OMRF

Components

Base Shear Equation

C v IW
V = ------------RT

5.0 Horizontal box heater/furnace

a p C a Ip
hx
F p = ---------------- 1 + 3 ----- W p

Rp
hr

Remarks
V = 0.7C a IW

5.1 Longitudinal braced frame and/or shear

panel
CBF or shear
panel design
(usually redundant system)

4.5

Non building structure with

structural system similar to
building

OMRF

4.5

Non building structure with

structural system similar to
building

pier/pedestal

2.2

Inverted pendulum type

system

Civil and Structural Manual

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Equipment/Structure Types

5.2 Transverse moment frame

H-7
5.3 Tall concrete pier/pedestal

Appendix H

September 2000

Components

Base Shear Equation

C v IW
V = ------------RT

6.0 Vessel on braced/unbraced legs

a p C a Ip
h
- 1 + 3 ----x- W p
F p = --------------
Rp
hr

Remarks
V = 0.7C a IW

Appendix H

September 2000

Equipment/Structure Types

6.1 Sphere (without top girder or stiffening

ring)

H-8

Sphere and
braced frame
design

2.9

Steel braced legs

2.9

Steel cantilever
legs

2.2

Concrete cantilever

2.2

Non building structure

Use same base shear for
design of anchorage and
support structure

6.2 Stack/cylindrical furnace, vertical vessel,

or hopper on cantilever or braced legs
(without top girder or stiffening ring)

Civil and Structural Manual

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Components

Base Shear Equation

C v IW
V = ------------RT

7.0 Boilers

Transverse

Light steel framed

wall

4.5

4.5

4.5

or

H-9

Steel braced
frame where
bracing carries
gravity

a p C a Ip
hx
F p = ---------------- 1 + 3 ----- W p

Rp
hr

Remarks
V = 0.7C a IW

Civil and Structural Manual

Chevron Corporation

Equipment/Structure Types

Non building structure with

structural system similar to
building

or
Steel OMRF

Longitudinal

Appendix H

September 2000

Components

R
C v IW
V = ------------RT

8.0 Cooling Tower

Transverse

H-10

Wooden braced
frame

5.6

a p C a Ip
h
- 1 + 3 ----x- W p
F p = --------------
Rp
hr

Remarks
V = 0.7C a IW

Non building structure with

structural system similar to
building

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Civil and Structural Manual

Longitudinal

Base Shear Equation

Appendix H

September 2000

Equipment/Structure Types