What are seismic design categories A,B, C, D, E & F

[cynthiarose]

does amyone know where I can find out how each of the seismic design categories can be defined? I see it referenced all the in my reading as it relates to what each category can have, but I can never find an exact definition of how each is defined.

[nshabin]

does amyone know where I can find out how each of the seismic design categories can be defined? I see it referenced all the in my reading as it relates to what each category can have, but I can never find an exact definition of how each is defined.

see ballast and ibc

[ENGINEERTOP]

does amyone know where I can find out how each of the seismic design categories can be defined? I see it referenced all the in my reading as it relates to what each category can have, but I can never find an exact definition of how each is defined.

Seismic Design Category A – Corresponds to buildings in areas where expected ground shaking will be minor. Good Soils
Seismic Design Category B - Corresponds to buildings of Occupancy Groups I,II and III where expected ground shaking will be moderate. Stratified soils with Good and poor Soils
Seismic Design Category C - Corresponds to buildings of Occupancy Groups IV ( Hospitals, Police Stations Emergency control centers etc) I where expected ground shaking will be MODERATE AND buildings of occupancy categories I, II, and III where MORE SEVERE ground shaking will occur
Seismic Design Category D Corresponds to buildings and structures in areas expected to experience severe and destructive ground shaking But NOT located close to a major fault. Sites with poor soils are a good example
Seismic Design Category E- Corresponds to buildings of Occupancy Groups I,II and III in areas NEAR MAJOR ACTIVE FAULTS. Soil or rock is of no consequence
Seismic Design Category F - Corresponds to buildings of Occupancy Groups IV ( Hospitals, Police Stations Emergency control centers etc)areas NEAR MAJOR ACTIVE FAULTS. Soil or rock is of no consequence
.( A Good Soils report from a Geotechnical engineer will and should provide to the structural engineer and architect the parameters necessary to determine the Seismic Design Category OR provide the Seismic Design category outright. However it MUST be specified in their sub-contract.)

[Quay007]

A= BARN
F= Critical Facility

Start there. good luck

[MikePM]

Quay007 is wrong. a Barn located in a high seismic area (southern Cal) would be seismic design category D. A critical facility in Minnesota is SDC A
The SDC is a combination of site and occupancy. Category E and F apply only when the S1 is greater than 0.75.
ASCE 7-05 section 11.6

[johnnyo1066]

is that ~ 75%of'g' for ground acceleration?. . .

i'm still trying to get SDC in my head straight from reading the Kaplan explanation

please advise

thanks

[MikePM]

the short answer is yes.

[archNRE]

Quay007 is wrong. a Barn located in a high seismic area (southern Cal) would be seismic design category D. A critical facility in Minnesota is SDC A
The SDC is a combination of site and occupancy. Category E and F apply only when the S1 is greater than 0.75.
ASCE 7-05 section 11.6

Thanks. But I think quary also helps people to memorize this factor quicker. There are some things and formula needed to be studied. Will all these will be tested?

[cmrhm]

How dies Sdc help to determin the structure sys? Anyone got a mockup question?

[MikePM]

There is a table in the code that places limits on the main lateral force resisting system (MLFRS) based on the Seismic Design Category (SDC). A MLFRS may be allowed in certain categories, have a height limit in some or not be permitted is some. I have not idea how they would ask a question that brought MLFRS and SDC together that you should be expected to answer without the table from the code.