Engineering Encyclopedia

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Design Loads Saudi Aramco Building Code

Note: The source of the technical material in this volume is the Professional Engineering Development Program (PEDP) of Engineering Services. Warning: The material contained in this document was developed for Saudi Aramco and is intended for the exclusive use of Saudi Aramcos employees. Any material contained in this document which is not already in the public domain may not be copied, reproduced, sold, given, or disclosed to third parties, or otherwise used in whole, or in part, without the written permission of the Vice President, Engineering Services, Saudi Aramco.

Chapter : Onshore Structural File Reference: CSE10702

For additional information on this subject, contact C.C. Baldwin on 873-2654

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Onshore Structural Design Loads Saudi Aramco Building Code

CONTENTS DESIGN LOADS Design Loads in the Uniform Building Code Basis of the Loads Locating the Loads When to Apply Structural Loads Data Referring to the Base Document (UBC) Saudi Aramco Modification to the UBC Design Loads Basis of Aramco Modification to the UBC Combined Loads The Individual Loads Combined Basis of UBC Wind Loads EARTHQUAKE LOADS IN SAUDI ARAMCO What They Are How Earthquake Loads are Used Seismic Load Factors Used by Saudi Aramco Where to Get Additional Information GLOSSARY

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Onshore Structural Design Loads Saudi Aramco Building Code

DESIGN LOADS The purpose of this module is to familiarize you with design loads found in the Saudi Aramco Building Code. This will include individual loads on structures, such as dead and live loads, wind and seismic loads, and combinations of these loads. The solution of specific design problems does not apply to this module. For purposes of this module it is sufficient to know the various structural design factors that apply to your work and where you can locate the current references so that you will be able to check existing designs for accuracy or calculate data for new designs. Design Loads in the Uniform Building Code Basis of the Loads Chapter 23, Part V (UBC) addresses and sets forth rules and formulas to deal with all probable loads and combination of loads that may be encountered in the design of structures throughout the USA and its possessions. Locating the Loads Tables A through Q and Figures 1-2-3, pages 160-179 of the UBC represent all UBC loads with numerical values and are presented so as to account for all individual structural loads for combinations of structural loads. The different structural loads represented in these tables are:
Table 23 A & B Page Type of Load

23 C 23 D & E 23 F thru H 23 I thru Q Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3

160-163 164 165 165 thru 167 168 thru 176 177 178 179

Floor Loads, Dead and Live, Uniform and Concentrated Minimum Roof Live Loads Structural Members/Deflection Wind Loads Seismic Loads Basic Wind Speeds Seismic Zone Map of USA Seismic Spectral Acceleration Graph

When to Apply Structural Loads Data Structural loads data must be used whenever specified in the Saudi Aramco Building Code (SABC). NOTE: Remember, the SABC is actually the UBC with modifications, as appear in SAES-M100. To completely understand this relationship, read carefully SAES-M-100, p. 5, paragraph A.1. Take special note of lines 1-5.

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Onshore Structural Design Loads Saudi Aramco Building Code

Referring to the Base Document (UBC) The procedure for researching the code is to: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Enter the base document (UBC). Locate the desired data. Now enter SAES-M-100 (SABC) to see if there are modifications to base document data. Apply any modifications to base document data. Now use the modified base document data to satisfy your requirement.

Saudi Aramco Modification to the UBC Design Loads Design loads are covered in the UBC, Chapter 23, Section 2301-2312. A review, however, of SAES-M-100 (SABC) will show that a number of modifications have been created which take precedence over the related material in the UBC. This means that if you are using loads data in the UBC you will actually follow the design requirements which appear in SAES-M-100, pages 16, 17, 18, Part V, Chapter 23, Sections 2303 through 2312(d)4, and Table 23A. (See SAES-M-100). Basis of Aramco Modification to the UBC If geographic and environmental conditions and operational factors in Saudi Arabia were the same as in the USA, there would not have to be any modifications to the UBC. This is not the case, however. Unique environmental conditions in Saudi Arabia and, in some cases, operational differences (in facilities, etc.), are two main factors which make it necessary to modify the code so as to compensate for these unique conditions. Some examples of this include Section 2311(b), Basic Wind Speed; Section 2311(c), Exposure; Section 2311(d), Design Wind Pressure; and, Table 23-A, Uniform and Concentrated Loads. (See SAES-M-100, pages 16 and 17.)

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Combined Loads The Individual Loads Combined Every structural design will be subject to one or more conditions of loading. A combination of loads will be factored into the design calculations and it must be determined that the applicable loads to any design have been accounted for and that the loads have been selected from the correct reference in the Saudi Aramco Building Code. The structural loads an engineer must be concerned with are: dead load , live load , wind load and seismic load . (See Figures 1, 2 and 3.) Knowledge and use of combined load factors is important so that the engineer may achieve the best combination of safety vs. efficiency and cost, in his design.
Dead Load Factor is determined by the vertical load due to the weight of all permanent

structural and nonstructural components of a building, such as walls, floors, roofs and fixed service equipment. An example of additional dead load items contributing to the total dead load factor of a structure: Roof mounted air conditioning unit(s) Attic mounted air handling unit(s) Upper floor mounted electrical or mechanical equipment

Live Load Factor is the load superimposed by the use and occupancy of the structure not

including the wind load, earthquake load or dead load. Examples of live load factors on a structure: Concentrations of people moving about on a structural surface i.e. floors, walkways, mezzanines, balconies Movable industrial equipment on floors Standing (ponding) water on roof

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Onshore Structural Design Loads Saudi Aramco Building Code

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Onshore Structural Design Loads Saudi Aramco Building Code

FIGURE 2

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Onshore Structural Design Loads Saudi Aramco Building Code

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Onshore Structural Design Loads Saudi Aramco Building Code

Wind Load Factor is calculated to compensate structural design for the effect of wind blowing against the structure. Every building or structure and every portion thereof must be designed and constructed to resist wind effects. Wind must be assumed to come from any horizontal direction. Design stress values vary with:

Different structural shapes Maximum wind speed values Exposure factors

Seismic Load Factor is determined to ensure that as a minimum, structures and parts of

structures shall be designed and constructed to resist the effects of seismic ground motions. This may involve horizontal and vertical motion. The importance of seismic effects upon structural design cannot be overstated. The design considerations, criteria, and mathematical formulas dealing with this phenomenon are found on UBC pages 140 through 159, and Tables 23-I through 23 Q. Major components of the wind that affect structures are: 1. 2. 3. Gusting Vortex shedding Sustained and transient, high and low pressure field

Combined loads that apply to structural design in Saudi Arabia are: 1. 2. Yanbu area (dead, live, wind and seismic) Eastern Province (dead, live and wind

See Figure 2, SAES-M-100, Sec. 2312(a).

Wind Load in Aramco. Wind loads for Saudi Aramco design purposes are unique to the Saudi

Arabian land lass. Saudi Aramco environmental services located in E-2000 provides official wind data for structural design purposes. This data is compiled from Saudi Arabian historical meteorology records.

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Origin of Wind Data. Wind speeds appearing in the UBC for continental United States, Alaska,

Hawaii and Puerto Rico are obtained from meteorology records of the past 50 years, where available. Values listed are the fastest mile-per-hour speeds at 33 feet above ground level, maximum exposure category, and annual occurrence probability of 0.02%. Since these wind factors are not relevant to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a wind and exposure factor has been calculated for the entire Saudi Arabian land mass, based on historical observations during the last 50 years. (See SAES-M-100, p. 17.) Basis of UBC Wind Loads UBC wind loads are based on structural design vs. geographic location. If a geographic area has a history of very light winds and there is less than 0.02% probability of stronger winds ever occurring, it is clear that structures can be designed lighter and cheaper than in a geographic area where there is a 0.02% or better chance stronger winds will occur. (NOTE: SABC minimum 78 mph wind factor affects all Saudi Aramco structural design.) The higher the probable wind load that must be factored into a design, the more costly the structure will be. You must confirm that a design meets the actual wind load risk, by locating and checking all available references which apply. (See 2311a-i, UBC, and ANSI A58.1.)
When to Use ANSI A58.1. ANSI A58.1 shall be the reference used when designing, or reviewing

the design of structures sensitive to dynamic effects, such as buildings with a height-width ratio greater than five, structures sensitive to wind excited oscillations such as vortex shedding, and buildings over 400 feet in height. At the engineer's discretion, any structure may be designed by reference to ANSI A58.1. (See ANSI A58.1.) NOTE: ANSI A58.1 deals with all structural load factors. However, Saudi Aramco Building Code (SAES-M-100), Sec. 2311(a), directs the engineer to reference ANSI A58.1 only with respect to wind loads.

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Importance Factor. For the purpose of protecting essential facilities which must be safe and

usable for emergency purposes after a windstorm, an additional stress allowance is specified for structural design. Structures specified in the UBC to receive an importance factor of 1.15 are: 1. 2. 3. 4. Hospitals and other medical facilities providing surgical or emergency treatment areas. Fire and police stations. Municipal government disaster operation and communication centers deemed to be vital in emergencies. Buildings where primary occupancy is for assembly use for more than 300 people. (See UBC P.13a, Sec. 23 11 (i).

In addition to the above four items, SABC modification calls for item 5 to deal specifically with Saudi Aramco concerns, as follows: 5. All plant area buildings and all high rise buildings. Sec. 2311(i).) (See SAES, page 17,

Application of the 1.15 Importance Factor - It is now clear that we want to design stronger

facilities in the case of items 1-5 above; but the question is, how much stronger? A look at our importance factor of 1.15 tells us we must design fifteen percent (15%) stronger; but, where shall the extra 15% be applied? Turn to page 138, UBC, and look at the design wind pressure formula (Section 2311(d)). In the formula P = Ce Cq qs I , the letter "I" designates importance factor. This would show as P = Ce Cq qs 1.15 for any structures listed in 1-5 above. For all other buildings the formula is P = Ce Cq qs 1.0 . (See page 139, UBC, Section 2311(i), last line.) Since wind speed and wind pressure values in the UBC have no validity for Saudi Arabia, the values to be used in structural wind pressure computation will be as shown in SAES-M-100 modification (p. 17), of UBC Section 2311 (b) UBC Section 2311 (d) 78 mph 16 PSF All of Saudi Arabia All of Saudi Arabia

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A definition of location/exposures factors is found in the UBC, p. 2311(c).

An exposure shall be assigned at each site for which a building or structure is to be designed. Exposure C represents the most severe exposures and has terrain which is flat and generally open, extending one-half mile or more from the site in any full quadrant. Exposure B has terrain which has buildings, forest or surface irregularities 20 feet or more in height covering at least 20 percent of the area extending one mile or more from the site.

Since the location/exposure factor for all of Saudi Arabia has been established as a constant, the value to be used in all structural design considerations is as shown in SAES-M-100 modification (p. 17) of the UBC Sec. 2311(c), "Exposure C shall be used."

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EARTHQUAKE LOADS IN SAUDI ARAMCO What They Are Earthquake loads in Saudi Aramco are load factors specified in the SABC to protect structures in earthquake zones. If a location does not merit a seismic zone factor with a numerical value, it is permissible to design without consideration of seismic loads. How Earthquake Loads are Used Earthquake loads are calculated, when applicable, to determine design technique, materials and strength so that structures will resist the effects of seismic ground motion. Seismic Load Factors Used by Saudi Aramco SAES-M-100 addition to UBC Sec. 2312(a) states that "Seismic loads are not applicable to Aramco Eastern Province operating areas. Seismic loads, Zone 1, are applicable to the Yanbu NGL plant installation and to the Royal Commission tract at Yanbu." Where to Get Additional Information SAES-M-100, addition to UBC 2312(a) states, "For areas other than the above-mentioned, the Manager, Consulting Services Department, shall be contacted for a definition of the seismic zone prior to start of design. (See SAES-M-100, p. 17.)

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FIGURE 4

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MICROFICHE READER/PRINTER OPERATION STEP 1. STEP 2. STEP 3. STEP 4. STEP 5. TURN ON THE POWER SWITCH. RAISE FICHE CARRIER UNTIL THE GLASS PLATES SEPARATE. PLACE MICROFICHE IN, RIGHT SIDE UP, AND BACKWARDS. LOWER GLASS DOWN ONTO FICHE. FOCUS IF NECESSARY.

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FIGURE 6

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FIGURE 7

STEP 1. STEP 2. STEP 3. STEP 4.

TURN ON THE POWER SWITCH. INSTALL CARTRIDGE IN RECEPTACLE. ALLOW MACHINE TO AUTOMATICALLY FEED FILM INTO DRIVE MECHANISM. FOCUS IF NECESSARY.

NOTE: Ask Librarian for detailed instructions as needed.

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FIGURE 8

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FIGURE 9

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GLOSSARY dead load The vertical load due to the weight of all permanent structural and non-structural components of a building, such as walls, floor, roofs and fixed service equipment. Sudden, brief burst of wind, blowing with strong force at random intervals. An additional strength factor applied to buildings which are critical to community health, safety and security. The load superimposed by the use and occupancy of the building, not including the wind load, earthquake (seismic) load or dead load. A folder in the TIC that resembles a ring binder. It is fitted with interior pockets which contain the microfiche transparencies for all existing Saudi Arabian Standards (SSA). Rainwater which collects in low spots on flat roofs, forming small lakes or "ponds" which impose considerable additional load on the roof areas where the water collects. Motions, movements, and vibrations of the surface layers of the earth. The forces acting upon a building or other structure due to effects of seismic (earthquake) ground motions. A special rack in the TIC for the storage of microfilm cartridges. It is approximately five feet high, rotates on a vertical axle and contains a large number of cartridges. Wind created vortices (eddies) on alternate sides of a structure (tall chimney, suspension bridge, very tall building, etc.) If the frequency of vortex shedding approaches the natural frequency (oscillation period) of the structure, the alternating buffeting will cause it to suffer dangerously large vibrations. The forces acting against a building or other structure from wind coming from any horizontal direction.

gusting importance factor live load

microfiche pocket file ponding

seismic seismic load vertical carousel track

vortex shedding

wind load

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