Here is the interesting code text. In section 12.14.8.1, Fa is permitted to be taken as 1.0 for rock sites, 1.4 for soil sites, or determined in accordance with section 11.4.3. But in section 11.4.3, it referred back to 12.14.8.1 where simplified design procedure of section 12.14 is used. God! It is a loop, isn’t? For high seismic areas, this will be a big difference for design seismic base shear using different Fa.
Example:
A simple single story wood house in Los Angeles, CA.
Ss=1.5 without any soil report (sure it is not site class E and F).
We can assume site class D per section 11.4.2
Fa will be 1.0 per Table 11.4-1.
If using section 12.14.8.1, Fa=1.4. This is 40% base shear increase.
What is your opinion? Thanks.
Example:
A simple single story wood house in Los Angeles, CA.
Ss=1.5 without any soil report (sure it is not site class E and F).
We can assume site class D per section 11.4.2
Fa will be 1.0 per Table 11.4-1.
If using section 12.14.8.1, Fa=1.4. This is 40% base shear increase.
What is your opinion? Thanks.
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