Seismic Load Pattern Form Page 1 of 2

Seismic Load Pattern - {Code} Form or {Code} Seismic Loading Form

Use the Seismic Load Pattern form or the {Code} Seismic Loading form to review and modify the
parameters for the specified seismic load. The name of the form and the options on it depend on the code
selected in the Auto Lateral Load drop-down list on the Define Load Patterns form.

Note: If User Defined is selected for the Auto Lateral Load, the User {Seismic, Wind] Loads on
Diaphragms form will display.

Direction and Eccentricity options. Choose to specify the X or Y direction of the seismic loading, or
to specify the direction with a percentage of eccentricity that is applicable to all diaphragms. Use the
% Eccentricity edit box to specify a value for eccentricity. Five percent is the default and is entered
as 0.05. The eccentricity options have meaning only when diaphragms have been assigned to joint or
shell objects. The program ignores eccentricities where diaphragms are not present.

Where diaphragms are present, the program calculates a maximum width of the diaphragm
perpendicular to the direction of the seismic loading. This width is calculated by finding the
maximum and minimum X or Y coordinates (depending on direction of load considered) of the joints
that are part of the diaphragm constraint and determining the distance between these maximum
and minimum values.

After the appropriate diaphragm width has been determined, the program applies a moment that is
equal to the specified percent eccentricity times the maximum width of the diaphragm perpendicular
to the direction of the seismic loading times the total lateral force applied to the diaphragm. This
moment is applied about the diaphragm center of mass to account for the eccentricity.

 Overwrite button. Click this button to access the Overwrite Eccentricities form and modify
eccentricities on a diaphragm-by-diaphragm basis.

Time Period options. Choose an option for specifying the time period for the seismic loading. When
the User Defined option is selected, enter a value in the T = edit box. When the Method A,
Approximate Period, or Program Calculated option is selected, no entry is required in the associated
edit box, although the value can be changed by the user. Method A and the Approximate Period are
as specified in the code. The value used by the Program Calculated option is as recommended in the
code.

Note: Additional code-specific information concerning seismic loading is available in the Automated
Lateral Loads manual (Help menu > Documentation > Manuals > Lateral Loads Manual
command).

Story Range options. Choose the Top Story and Bottom Story to specify the elevation range over
which the automatic static lateral loads are to be calculated. By default the bottom story is the base of
the building and the top story is the uppermost level of the building.

In most instances, specify the top story as the upper-most level in the building, typically the roof.
However, in some cases, a lower level may be chosen. For example if a penthouse is included in
the model, it may be best to calculate the automatic lateral load based on the roof level, excluding
the penthouse roof level, as the top story, and then add in additional user-defined load to the load
case to account for the penthouse.

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The bottom level would typically be the base level. However, if, for example, a building has several
below-grade levels, and the seismic loads are assumed to be transferred to the ground at ground
level, it may be best to specify the bottom story to be above the base of the building.

Note: No seismic loads are calculated for the bottom story. They are calculated for the first story
above the bottom story and for all stories up to and including the top story.

Factors edit boxes. If available, use the default code-specific factors related to seismic loading or use
the edit boxes to specify your own values.

Seismic Group drop-down list. If available, choose the applicable Seismic Group, as specified in
IBC2003 or NEHPF97, from the drop-down list.

Seismic Coefficients options, drop-down lists and edit boxes. The parameters vary by code. For
more information about the specific input required, please refer to the code specific manuals (Help
menu > Documentation) or the codes themselves.

Other Factors edit box. When Other Factors need to be specified, use the default or enter your own
values in the edit boxes.

Structure Type options. For 1995 NBCC, choose Moment Frame or Other. When the Other option is
chosen, also specify a value for Ds.

See also

Seismic Load Pattern - User Defined Form

Access the Seismic Load Pattern - {Code} form or {Code} Seismic Loading form as follows:

1. Click the Define menu > Load Patterns command to access the Define Load Patterns form.

2. Type a unique name for the load pattern in the Load edit box, select Seismic from the Type drop-
down list, and select an option other than None, User Defined, or User Coefficient from the Auto
Lateral Load drop-down list.

3. Click the Add New Load button.

4. Highlight the newly define load case in the display area and click the Modify Lateral Load button.

After a Quake load case has been defined as described above, highlighting the name of the previously
defined load and clicking the Modify Lateral Load button will also display the form.

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