1

Applying UBC97 Seismic Loads to an Orion model

Analysis method Equivalent Static Force
2013
Version 18
July
1.0 Applying UBC97 Seismic Loads to an Orion
model
Guidance for Orion Customers

3
2011
Version 12
January
Contents
1.0 Applying UBC97 Seismic Loads to an Orion model ..................................................................... 1
1.1 Analysis method Equivalent Static Force ....................................................................................................................... 5
1.2 Build the model ................................................................................................................................................................. 5
1.3 Adjust the stiffnesses of the model .................................................................................................................................. 5
1.4 Adjust the Live Load Participation Factor ......................................................................................................................... 6
1.5 Determine the Fundamental Periods ................................................................................................................................ 6
1.6 Calculate the vertical distribution of seismic force ........................................................................................................... 9
1.7 Create seismic load cases ................................................................................................................................................ 10
1.8 Create seismic load combinations .................................................................................................................................. 12
1.9 Apply the seismic lateral loads in Orion .......................................................................................................................... 13
1.10 Creating a seismic template ............................................................................................................................................ 16
1.11 Limitations of the design - Important ............................................................................................................................. 16
1.12 Export options ................................................................................................................................................................. 16




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Applying UBC97 Seismic Loads to an Orion model
Analysis method Equivalent Static Force
2013
Version 18
July
1.1 Analysis method Equivalent Static Force
The following guidance document will show you how to apply the Equivalent Static Force method to an Orion model, taking
the seismic loads from UBC97 with BS8110 Design.

Please note: If you wish to use a method other than the Equivalent Static Force method, then the following guidance
document is not appropriate. It should also be noted that BS8110 does not include any seismic design checks or guidance. If
you are intending to use UBC97 alongside BS8110 for the design of your structure, some engineering judgement will be
required. This document is only intending to show you how to assess the effects of the equivalent static forces on an Orion
model.
1.2 Build the model
Once you have accepted the Equivalent Static Force method as an appropriate way of assessing your structure for seismic
forces, the next stage is to build your Orion model. For further guidance on this, please refer to:

Standard Training Manual - available from C:\Program Files\CSC\Orion\18\Help
Engineers Handbook - available from C:\Program Files\CSC\Orion\18\Help and the Help menu within Orion
Orion Help document - available from the Help menu within Orion
1.3 Adjust the stiffnesses of the model
To accurately calculate the fundamental periods of your structure, the stiffnesses of the structural elements beams,
columns and walls need to be adjusted in-line with the code being followed; in this case, UBC97. These stiffness
adjustments can be made in Orion by going to Run >Building Analysis >Model Options >Stiffnesses, as shown below.


Note that:

1. If the walls in the model are to be meshed (FE Walls),
then adjustment to the I value is meaningless you
must adjust the E value
2. Slabs are not part of the 3D Building Analysis model,
so adjustment to the slab stiffness is not relevant
3. The cracked/un-cracked status of the columns and
walls is up to you to determine


For further guidance on the stiffness factors to be used, please
refer to UBC97 1910.11.1.

In terms of design, if you were designing to the American
codes, then you would use the adjustment factors suggested
by the design code (which would be the same/similar). For
design to the British Standards, then if you believe that the
adjustments make a reasonable allowance for the
creep/cracking in each member type, then there is no reason
not to use them. However, the simpler guidance is to use the
same adjustment factor (typically 1.0) in all member types.




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Applying UBC97 Seismic Loads to an Orion model
Adjust the Live Load Participation Factor
2013
Version 18
July
1.4 Adjust the Live Load Participation Factor
Another important value that needs to be defined is the Live Load Participation Factor, which controls the storey mass to be
considered in the Eigenvalue Analysis, and hence affects the frequencies determined. This factor can be determined by
referring to UBC97 1630.1.1 and 1612.4. You then need to apply the derived value to your Orion model. This can be done by
going to Building >Parameters >Lateral Loading >Live Load Participation Factor (n), as shown below.


1.5 Determine the Fundamental Periods
In Orion, the Fundamental Periods of the building can be determined using the Eigenvalue Analysis option within the
Building Analysis. Before running the Building Analysis, you must ensure that you have already adjusted the Stiffnesses and
the Live Load Participation Factor as discussed previously. These setting adjustments will have a big impact on the calculated
periods, so must be applied appropriately.

The next step is to run the Building Analysis with the Eigenvalue Analysis option also ticked, as shown below. You can get to
this setting by going to Run >Building Analysis >Analysis.



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Applying UBC97 Seismic Loads to an Orion model
Determine the Fundamental Periods
2013
Version 18
July
Once the analysis is complete, you can get the fundamental periods from the Eigenvalue Results Report. This is viewed by
going to the Reports tab of the Building Analysis form, as shown below, but is only available once the Building Analysis has
been completed with the Eigenvalue Analysis option turned on.





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Applying UBC97 Seismic Loads to an Orion model
Determine the Fundamental Periods
2013
Version 18
July
The mode shapes and periods can also be obtained and viewed graphically in the Model and Analysis Results Display. This is
available from Post-Analysis tab of the Building Analysis form.










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Applying UBC97 Seismic Loads to an Orion model
Calculate the vertical distribution of seismic force
2013
Version 18
July
1.6 Calculate the vertical distribution of seismic force
The next step is to calculate the vertical distribution of seismic force in each direction. To do this, you could use the Tedds
Seismic Forces (UBC) calculation, provided you have access to the USregional library. For this calculation to work, you
need the X and Y direction periods for the model, which can be seen in the Model and Analysis Results Display, as shown
below. If you dont have access to Tedds, then this could be calculated by hand.



The floor masses are also required, and can also be obtained from Orion by going to Run >Building Analysis >Pre-Analysis >
Storey Loads and Parameters.



If youre using the Tedds Seismic Forces (UBC) calculation to calculate the vertical distribution of seismic force in each
direction, then you must ensure you have the US regional library, with the latest updates applied. You should also refer to
the Notes for the calculation for guidance on using it.



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Applying UBC97 Seismic Loads to an Orion model
Create seismic load cases
2013
Version 18
July
1.7 Create seismic load cases
Seismic load cases and combinations now need to be created for the Orion model. The Loading Generator cannot create
these automatically, so this must be done manually. To create the new load cases, go to Run >Building Analysis >Pre-
Analysis >Loading Combinations, then click the Load Cases button.



In the Load Cases window, you can then select the bottom load case in the list and click the Add Below button. This will
create a duplicate of the bottom load case in the list. You can then select this new duplicate and click the Edit button. This
will allow you to edit the load case.

You can define a Load Case Label and give it a Load Case Description to help describe the load case in question. The key
settings are to make sure that the load case is defined as a Lateral Load and to make it a User Defined Lateral Load.

Note: You must NOT set these load cases to be either Equivalent Static Earthquake Loading or Earthquake Spectrum
Loading cases. These will not work correctly as they rely on being able to select a seismic design code, which is not
appropriate here as BS8110 is being used.

For the Loading Direction settings, Primary should be selected for the X direction load cases, and Secondary should be
selected for the Y direction load cases.

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Applying UBC97 Seismic Loads to an Orion model
Create seismic load cases
2013
Version 18
July
The seismic loads to be applied will need to be applied in the X and Y directions with both positive and negative eccentricities
to the Centre of Gravity. Therefore, you will likely need to create 4 load cases to suit this.





This process should be repeated to create all of the required load cases.

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Applying UBC97 Seismic Loads to an Orion model
Create seismic load combinations
2013
Version 18
July


Once the load cases have been created, click OKto the Load Cases window to return to the Load Combination Editor
window.
1.8 Create seismic load combinations
The load combinations including the seismic load cases can be created manually by selecting the bottom load combination in
the list, then clicking the Add button. You need to give a Description for the combination being created, and then edit the
Load Factors for the appropriate load cases included in that combination. Negative load factors can be used to apply the
loads in the opposite directions to the positive loads.

Some engineers may consider it good practice to include both an X direction and a Y direction seismic load as part of the
same load combination when they are both causing the building to twist is the same direction. As it is not possible to assume
that the most dominant effects are in the global X or Y directions, a different proportion of each load could be applied in one
combination and then vice versa in a second combination.



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Applying UBC97 Seismic Loads to an Orion model
Apply the seismic lateral loads in Orion
2013
Version 18
July


Important Note: The above list of combinations is not exhaustive. You will need to use your engineering judgement to
decide which combinations need to be considered and whether its acceptable to use the UBC97 factors or a mix of both
UBC97 and BS8110 factors. Potentially, there may also be some local municipality guidance on this topic that you should
also refer to.

1.9 Apply the seismic lateral loads in Orion
Now that the load cases and combinations have been created, the calculated seismic forces can now be applied to the model.
This is done by going to Storey Loads and Parameters, found on the Pre-Analysis tab of the Building Analysis form. The
seismic load cases will be listed in here, allowing you to specify the force values and the coordinates at which theyre applied.

The overall dimensions of each floor can be obtained by either using the Measure or the Dimension tools within the plan
view. The coordinates for the centre of gravity can be obtained by either hovering your cursor over the centre of gravity icon
in the plan view, or by referring to the Storey Loads and Parameters window.

Once you know this information, you can then calculate the eccentricity values, and hence calculate the coordinates for
where the loads should be applied.


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Applying UBC97 Seismic Loads to an Orion model
Apply the seismic lateral loads in Orion
2013
Version 18
July



When applying a lateral load to a model using the Storey Loads and Parameters window, a similar principle should be
followed as with applying Wind Loads. This is discussed in the Standard Training Manual.

When applying an X direction load, you need to specify a Force-x value and a Y coordinate. You do not need to specify a Y
coordinate, as the load is acting along a line, so it just needs a Y coordinate to know where to apply it on the floors elevation.
When applying a Y direction load, you need to specify a Force-y value and an X coordinate.

As the loads in this window can only be applied in the global X and Y directions, if you need to apply a lateral load at an angle,
you would need to calculate the X and Y components of the force, and also calculate both the X and Y coordinates.

After the lateral forces have been applied to the model, run the Building Analysis again. You can graphically view the results
for the applied seismic forces using the Model and Analysis Results Display on the Post-Analysis tab of the Building Analysis
form.

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Applying UBC97 Seismic Loads to an Orion model
Apply the seismic lateral loads in Orion
2013
Version 18
July





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Applying UBC97 Seismic Loads to an Orion model
Creating a seismic template
2013
Version 18
July
1.10 Creating a seismic template
Once you have been through this process for a model, you could create a new Template using the Settings and Parameters
Manager. This template can then be used to create further seismic models, so that options like the load cases and
combinations dont need to be recreated manually each time. All other project specific settings mentioned here should be
reviewed each time, but creating a template will save a lot of time.

To do this, go to Settings >Settings and Parameters Manager, select Templates and then tick Create New Template. Give
the template an appropriate name and then click Export.


1.11 Limitations of the design - Important
This document is intended to assist with the application of seismic loading in relation to the ELF method in UBC97. It does
nothing to address any UBC design and/or detailing requirements (e.g. min moments, min steel areas, etc). BS8110 does not
consider requirements for seismic resistance, therefore it is up to the user to assess the need for any such additional checks
and apply them through other means.
1.12 Export options
A comprehensive ETABS export is available within Orion. This could be used to possibly help the verification process or
satisfy any municipality requirements you may have. This export option is available by going to Run >Building Analysis >
Model Export >Etabs Model Export.