UNIFORM BUILDING CODE

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UBC97

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CODE APPLICATION EXAMPLES

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Ex 3
Dr R. ALSAFADIE
 Example 3: Vertical Irregularity Type 3 §1629.5.3

4 @ 7.6 m = 30.5 m

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The lateral force-resisting system of the

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five-story special moment frame building

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shown below has a 7.6 m setback at the

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third, fourth and fifth stories.

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Determine if a Type 3 vertical irregularity,

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vertical geometric irregularity, exists.

Dr. R. ALSAFADIE
Example 3: Calculations and Discussion

A vertical geometric irregularity is considered to exist where the horizontal dimension

of the lateral force-resisting system in any story is more than 130 percent of that in the
adjacent story. One-story penthouses are not subject to this requirement.

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In this example, the setback of Level 3 must be checked. The ratios of the two levels is

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B2: Width of Level 2

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B3: Width of Level 3

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B2 4  7.6
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  1.33 bo
B3 3  7.6
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B2
 133%  130%
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B3

→ Vertical geometric irregularity exists

Dr. R. ALSAFADIE
Example 3: Commentary

The more than 130 percent change in width of the lateral force-resisting system
between adjacent stories could result in a primary mode shape that is substantially
different from the triangular shape assumed for Equation (30-15). If the change is a
decrease in width of the upper adjacent story (the usual situation), the mode shape

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difference can be mitigated by designing for an increased stiffness in the story with a

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reduced width.

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Similarly, if the width decrease is in the lower adjacent story (the unusual situation), the

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Type 1 soft story irregularity can be avoided by a proportional increase in the stiffness

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of the lower story. However, when the width decrease is in the lower story, there could

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be an overturning moment load transfer discontinuity that would require the

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application of §1630.8.2. bo
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When there is a large decrease in the width of the structure above the first story along
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with a corresponding large change in story stiffness that creates a flexible tower, then
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§1629.8.3, Item 4 and §1630.4.2, Item 2 may apply.

Note that if the frame elements in the bay between lines 4 and 5 were not included as a
part of the designated lateral force resisting system, then the vertical geometric
irregularity would not exist. However, the effects of this adjoining frame would have to
be considered under the adjoining rigid elements requirements of §1633.2.4.1.
Dr. R. ALSAFADIE