Floor Response Spectra €“ New Proposal of a Simplified Methodology To Define Seismic Force on Equipment

Abstract eng:
The main requirement of actual seismic building codes is the preservation of human lives and the limitation of damage. These requirements are obviously applied to structural elements, but work has to be done in order to adapt the building codes for non-structural elements. Indeed, feedbacks from past earthquakes reminds us that, if not properly connected to the main building, the non-structural elements or equipment can be heavily damaged or become deadly weapons (and even block the emergency process). However, for these non-structural elements, a global analysis of the whole structure with structural and non-structural elements is rarely possible, for three main reasons: (1) the equipment or/and non-structural element is barely known when the structure is designed, (2) there is a lack of knowledge of physical and mechanical characteristics for non-structural element or equipment (or of the existing building) and (3) to include all the non-structural elements or equipment in a model will make it much too complex. Nevertheless, the interaction between the equipment or the non-structural element and the structure exists. This paper aims at: (1) presenting the specific issues of the design of such elements (including the business continuity), (2) explaining the physical phenomena, (3) proposing different types of calculation / model according to the type of structure and the study’s level. At least, the formulation of Eurocode 8 is presented and discussed as it seems not appropriate for the design of equipment. A new simplified formulation is proposed as an alternative to calculate the lateral force applied to the nonstructural element or equipment. The general methodology is presented at first with its domain of validity. Then this formulation is compared to an analytical study and finally, to foreign regulations. The main objective is to provide a simplified formulation which will be easily applicable by engineers as well as "owners" if they need to add an equipment later.

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