MODULE 4a
Base Shear & Vertical Distribution of
Lateral Forces
Distribution of Forces
The total lateral force is distributed throughout the building in a manner that simulates
the behavior of the building during an earthquake.
1. Storey Forces: The distribution of the lateral forces vertically along the height of
the building is determined by the formula below, except for those buildings that
are considered irregular.
(𝑉−𝐹𝑡 ) 𝑤𝑥 ℎ𝑥
𝐹𝑥 =
∑𝑛
𝑖=1 𝑤𝑖 ℎ𝑖
The storey force Fx is distributed horizontal at level x in proportion to its mass
distribution at that level.
(a) Regular building with T ≤ 0.7 second
Ft = 0
(b) Regular building with T > 0.7 second
Ft = 0.07TV
Ft need not exceed 0.25V
Vertical Distribution of Seismic Forces
The total force (design base shear) shall be distributed over the height of the structure
in conformance with the given formula.
V O.T.M.
Base Shear V (Total force)
Base O.T.M. (Overturning Moment)
NSCP 2015:
1. Total base shear
𝐶𝑣 𝐼
𝑉= 𝑤
𝑅𝑇
or
𝑉 = 𝐹𝑡 + ∑𝑛𝑖=1 𝐹𝑖
2. Overturning moment
𝑂. 𝑇. 𝑀. = (𝐹𝑡 + 𝐹𝑛)ℎ𝑛 + ∑𝑛𝑖=1 𝐹𝑖
3. Lateral force vertically along the heigh is given by the equation
(𝑉−𝐹𝑡 ) 𝑤𝑥 ℎ𝑥
𝐹𝑥 =
∑𝑛
𝑖=1 𝑤𝑖 ℎ𝑖
where:
Ft = 0.07TV (whipping force)
Note: Ft need not exceed 0.25V and may be considered zero where T is 0.70
second or less
(𝑉−𝐹𝑡 ) 𝑤𝑛 ℎ𝑛
Also: 𝐹𝑥 =
∑𝑛
𝑖=1 𝑤𝑖 ℎ𝑖
Subscript designation:
n = number of stories,i.e. in the example n=5.
x = the storey level under consideration as the force F3 out level x = 3
i = storey levels used in summations ranging from i=1 at the first level above
the base to i=n at the upper most level.
4. Force distribution
F4+ Ft
F3
F2
F1
5. Shear distribution
F4 + Ft
F4 + Ft + F3
F4 + Ft + F3 + F2
F4 + Ft + F3 + F2 + F1
Design Base Shear
Problem:
A reinforces concrete building is to be design and constructed in San Juan City,
M.M. The site location of the building is 10 km from a reference fault line (which is west
valley fault) of Seismic Source Type A. Move so, the building is classified as special
reinforced concrete moment frame. The foundation to which it will rest is a soil profile
type Sc. The total dead load per floor are as follows: W G.F. = 1400kN, 𝑊1 = 1500 kN, 𝑊2 =
1500 kN, 𝑊3 = 2000 kN, 𝑊4 = 1450 kN, and 𝑊5 = 1400 kN. Use NSCP 2015 Code.
(a) Compute the design base shear of the building
(b) Determine the seismic load (lateral force) per floor on the building.
(c) Draw the force distribution
(d) Draw the shear distribution
(e) What is the overturning moment about the base of the building?
𝑊5 = 1400 kN Roof Level
5m
𝑊4 = 1450 kN level 4
5m
𝑊3 = 2000 kN level 3
5m
𝑊2 = 1500 kN level 2
5m
𝑊1 = 1500 kN level 1
5m
𝑊𝐺.𝐹. = 1400 kN
←V
Solution:
(a) For the design base shear
The total design base shear in a given direction shall be determined from the
following equation
𝐶 𝐼
𝑉= 𝑣 𝑤
𝑅𝑇
where:
• Seismic coefficient 𝐶𝑣
For soil profile type Sc
z = 0.40 (San Juan City, M.M.)
𝐶𝑣 = 0.56 𝑁𝑣
• Near Source Factor, 𝑁𝑣
For Seismic Source Type A
10 km from fault line
𝑁𝑣 = 1.20
then
𝐶𝑣= 0.56 𝑁𝑣 = 0.56 (1.20) = 0.672
• Special Occupancy, 𝐼 = 1.0
• Special R.C. Moment Frame: 𝑅= 8.50
• Structural Site Period
T = C𝑡
C𝑡 = 0.0731(𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑒/𝑀𝑅𝐹)
ht = 25m
T = 0.0731(25)3/4
T= 0.8173
• Total dead load W:
W = 1500 + 1500 + 2000 + 1450 + 1400
W = 7850 kN
𝐶𝑣𝐼
hence, 𝑉= 𝑤
𝑅𝑇
0.672 (1)
𝑉= (7850)
8.50 (0.8173)
𝑉 = 759.34 kN
Total design base shear need not exceed the ff.
2.5𝐶𝑎 𝐼
𝑉= 𝑤
𝑅
where:
• Seismic coefficient, 𝐶𝑎
For Seismic Source Type A
10 km from fault line
𝑁𝑎 = 1.0
then:
𝐶𝑎 = 0.40 𝑁𝑎= 0.40(1) = 0.40
2.5𝐶𝑎 𝐼 2.50(0.40)(1.00)
𝑉= 𝑤= (7850)
𝑅 8.5
𝑉 = 923.53 kN
(𝑉 = 759.34 kN < 𝑉 = 923.53 kN) ok
The total design base shear shall not be less than the following
V = 0.11𝐶𝑎𝐼𝑊
V = 0.11 (0.4) (1) (7850)
V = 345.4 kN
(V = 759.34 kN > 345.4 kN) ok
In addition, for seismic zone 4, the total base shear shall also not be less
than the following
0.8𝑧𝑁𝑣 𝐼
V= W
𝑅
0.80(0.40)(1.20)(1)
V= (7850)
8.5
V = 354.64 kN
(V = 759.34 kN > V = 354.64 kN) ok
Therefore use V = 759.34 kN as the design base shear.
(b) For the lateral force per floor
𝑊5 = 1400 kN Roof Level
5m
𝑊4 = 1450 kN level 4
5m
𝑊3 = 2000 kN level 3
5m
𝑊2 = 1500 kN level 2
5m
𝑊1 = 1500 kN level 1
5m
𝑊𝐺.𝐹. = 1400 kN
weight (w) hx (m) wxhx
level
1 1500 5 7500
2 1500 10 15000
3 2000 15 30000
4 1450 20 29000
5 1400 25 35000
𝑛
∑ 𝑤𝑖ℎ𝑖 = 116500
𝑖=1
(𝑉−𝐹𝑡 ) 𝑤𝑥 ℎ𝑥
𝐹𝑥 =
∑𝑛
𝑖=1 𝑤𝑖 ℎ𝑖
where: 𝐹𝑡 = 0.07TV
since, T = 0.8173 sec > 0.70 sec
then: 𝐹𝑡 = 0.07 (0.8173) (759.34)
𝐹𝑡 = 43.44 kN
Also, 𝐹𝑡 need not exceed 0.25V
𝐹𝑡 = 0.25 (759.34) = 189.835 kN
Since 𝐹𝑡 = 43.44 kN < 𝐹𝑡 = 189.835 kN
Use 𝐹𝑡 = 43.44 kN
Hence,
(759.34 − 43.44 ) (7500)
𝐹1 = = 46.09 kN
116500
(759.34 − 43.44 ) (15000)
𝐹2 = = 92.18 kN
116500
(759.34 − 43.44 ) (30000)
𝐹3 = = 184.35 kN
116500
(759.34 − 43.44 ) (29000)
𝐹4 = = 178.21 kN
116500
(759.34 − 43.44 ) (35000)
𝐹5 = = 215.08 kN
116500
(c) Draw the force distribution & (d) Shear distribution
𝐹5 + Ft = 258.52 kN
𝐹4 = 178.21 kN
𝐹3 = 184.35 kN
𝐹2 = 92.18 kN
𝐹1 = 46.04 kN
258.52 258.52
5m
178.21 436.73
5m
184.35 621.08
5m
92.18 713.26
5m
46.09 759.34
5m
759.34
O.T.M.
(e) overturning moment
O.T.M. = 46.09(5) + 92.18 (10) + 184.35 (15) + 178.21 (20) + 258.52 (25) = _______kN m
