STANBUL METROPOLITAN

MUNICIPALITY

STANBUL
SEISMIC DESIGN CODE
FOR TALL BUILDINGS

Boazii University
Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute (KOERI)
Department of Earthquake Engineering
engelky, stanbul

Version III

May 2008

English translation by
Mehmet Nuray Aydnolu, PhD
Professor of Earthquake Engineering (KOERI)

STABUL SEISMIC DESIG CODE FOR TALL BUILDIGS

VERSIO III
May 2008

LIST OF COTETS
1. GEERAL CLAUSES
1.1. NOTATION
1.2. OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF CODE, GENERAL APPROACH
1.2.1. Objective and Scope of Code
1.2.2. General Approach of Code: Performance Based Design
1.2.3. Independent Design Review
2. DEFIITIO OF EARTHQUAKE ACTIO
2.1. EARTHQUAKE LEVELS
2.1.1. (E1) Level Earthquake
2.1.2. (E2) Level Earthquake
2.1.3. (E3) Level Earthquake
2.2. EARTHQUAKE DESIGN SPECTRA
2.3. EARTHQUAKE ACTION IN TIME DOMAIN
3. PERFORMACE LEVELS AD RAGES, PERFORMACE OBJECTIVES
FOR TALL BUILDIGS
3.1. MINIMUM DAMAGE / UNINTERRUPTED OCCUPANCY PERFORMANCE
LEVEL (MD UO)
3.2. CONTROLLED DAMAGE / LIFE SAFETY PERFORMANCE LEVEL (CD LS)
3.3. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE / NOCOLLAPSE SAFETY PERFORMANCE LEVEL
(ED NC)
3.4. PERFORMANCE RANGES
3.5. MINIMUM PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES FOR TALL BUILDINGS
4. AALYSIS AD DESIG PROCEDURES FOR TALL BUILDIGS
4.1. ANALYSIS PROCEDURES FOR TALL BUILDINGS
4.2. REQUIREMENTS FOR ANALYSIS MODELING
4.3. PERFORMANCE-BASED SEISMIC DESIGN STAGES OF TALL BUILDINGS
4.3.1. Design Stage (I A): Preliminary Design (dimensioning) with Linear Analysis
for Controlled Damage/Life Safety Performance Objective under (E2) Level
Earthquake
4.3.2. Design Stage (I B): Design with Nonlinear Analysis for Controlled
Damage/Life Safety Performance Objective under (E2) Level Earthquake
4.3.3. Design Stage (II): Design Verification with Linear Analysis for Minimum
Damage/Uninterrupted Occupancy Performance Objective under (E1) Level
Earthquake
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4.3.4. Design Stage (III): Design Verification with Nonlinear Analysis for Extensive
Damage/No-Collapse Safety Performance Objective under (E3) Level
Earthquake
5. DESIG REQUIREMETS FOR OSTRUCTURAL ARCHITECTURAL AD
MECHAICAL/ELECTRICAL ELEMETS/COMPOETS
5.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
5.2. EQUIVALENT SEISMIC LOADS
5.3. LIMITATION OF DISPLACEMENTS
5.4. NONSTRUCTURAL FACADE ELEMENTS AND CONNECTIONS
6. STRUCTURAL HEALTH MOITORIG SYSTEMS
7. IDEPEDET DESIG REVIEW
7.1. INDEPENDENT REVIEW BOARD
7.2. QUALIFICATIONS OF INDEPENDENT REVIEWERS
7.3. TALL BUILDINGS ENGINEERING HIGH COMMISSION OF ISTANBUL
8. EFORCEMET
AEX A: SEISMIC HAZARD MAPS FOR CITY OF ISTABUL
AEX B: DEFIITIO OF SOIL CLASSES

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CHAPTER 1
GEERAL CLAUSES
1.1. OTATIO
Ae

= Maximum acceleration acting on architectural element or mechanical/electrical

component
Aen = Maximum acceleration acting in nth vibration mode on architectural element or
mechanical/electrical component
Be = Amplification factor applied to architectural element or mechanical/electrical
component
(EI)e = Effective bending rigidity
fce = Expected strength of concrete
fye = Expected strength of steel
fck = Characteristic strength of concrete
fyk = Characteristic strength of steel
Fa = Soil factor for short period spectral acceleration
Fe = Equivalent seismic load acting on architectural element or mechanical/electrical
component
Fv = Soil factor for 1.0 second period spectral acceleration
hx,hy = Height of connection points of architectural element or mechanical/electrical
component measured from the related story bottom
ke
= Effective stiffness coefficient of the connection of architectural element or mechanical
/electrical component to the building structural system
me = Mass of architectural element or mechanical/electrical component
mj = jth story mass
Mxin = Effective participating mass corresponding to ith story-shear in nth mode for an x
direction earthquake
MN = Nominal plastic moment
MY = First-yield moment

= Number of stories of building above ground
n
= Live Load Participation Factor
R
= Structural Behaviour Factor
Ra = Seismic Load Reduction Factor
Re = Behaviour factor applied to architectural element or mechanical/electrical component
Sae = Elastic spectral acceleration
Saen = nth mode elastic spectral acceleration
SS = Short-period spectral acceleration for reference soil class
S1 = 1.0 second period spectral acceleration for reference soil class
SMS = Short-period spectral acceleration for actual soil class
SM1 = 1.0 second period spectral acceleration for actual soil class
T
= Natural vibration period
Te = Natural vibration period of connection of architectural element or mechanical/
electrical component to the building structural system
To = Spectrum corner period
TL = Transition period to long-period range
TS = Spectrum corner period
Vxin = x direction ith story-shear in nth mode under same direction earthquake
Vt,min = Minimum base shear
W = Total building weight considered for calculating minimum base shear
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v = Dynamic shear amplification factor of reinforced concrete structural wall

e = Drift related to architectural element or mechanical/electrical component
(i)max / hi = Maximum story drift ratio permitted for the ith story of building structural
system
cg = Upper limit of concrete compressive strain in the extreme fiber inside the confinemet
reinforcement
= Upper limit of strain in steel reinforcement
s
xn = nth mode participation factor for an x direction earthquake
en = nth mode shape amplitude at the location of architectural element or mechanical/
electrical component in a given direction
xjn = nth mode mode shape amplitude of mass centre at jth story in x direction
yjn = nth mode mode shape amplitude of mass centre at jth story in y direction
jn = nth mode mode shape amplitude in terms of rotation with respect vertical axis
passing through mass centre at jth story
y = Yield curvature corresponding to nominal plastic moment
y = Curvature corresponding to first-yield

= Damping ratio

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1.2. OBJECTIVE AD SCOPE OF CODE, GEERAL APPROACH

1.2.1. Objective and Scope of Code
This Code shall be applied to earthquake-resistant design of tall buildings to be constructed
within the borders of stanbul Metropolitan Municipality. Tall buildings are minimum 60
meter high buildings measured from the lowest ground level, excluding basement stories
completely underground and surrounded with high-stiffness peripheral walls all around.
1.2.2. General Approach of Code: Performance Based Design
In principle, this Code is based on performance-based design under earthquake action. In this
approach, the damage to occur in the elements of structural system under given levels of
earthquake ground motion is quantitatively estimated and checked in each element whether it
exceeds the acceptable damage limits. The acceptable damage limits are specified under
various earthquake levels in conformity with the performance objectives identified for the
structure. Since the earthquake damage to be estimated at element level is generally
represented by the nonlinear deformations to occur beyond the elastic strain limits,
performance-based design approach is directly related to nonlinear analysis methods and the
deformation-based design concept. Nevertheless, linear analysis methods are permitted in the
Code as well in the framework of strength-based design approach for performance objectives
where limited damage is expected.
1.2.3. Independent Design Review
The earthquake-resistant designs of tall buildings to be realised to the requirements of this
Code shall be checked and approved by an Independent Review Board as described in
Chapter 7.

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CHAPTER 2
DEFIITIO OF EARTHQUAKE ACTIO
2.1. EARTHQUAKE LEVELS
The earthquake levels to be considered in the performance-based design of tall buildings
within the scope of this Code are defined in the following sections.
2.1.1. (E1) Earthquake Level
This earthquake level represents relatively frequent but low-intensity earthquake ground
motions with a high probability to occur during the service life of tall buildings within the
scope of this Code. The probability of exceedance of (E1) level earthquake in 50 years is
50%, which corresponds to a return period of 72 years.
2.1.2. (E2) Earthquake Level
This earthquake level represents the infrequent and high-intensity earthquake ground motions
with a low probability to occur during the service life of tall buildings within the scope of this
Code. The probability of exceedance of (E2) level earthquake in 50 years is 10%, which
corresponds to a return period of 475 years.
2.1.3. (E3) Earthquake Level
This earthquake level represents the highest intensity, very infrequent earthquake ground
motions that tall buildings within the scope of this Code may be subjected to. The probability
of exceedance of (E3) level earthquake in 50 years is 2%, which corresponds to a return
period of 2475 years.
2.2. EARTHQUAKE DESIG SPECTRA
2.2.1 Spectral accelerations corresponding to short period (0.2 second) and 1.0 second
natural vibration periods (respectively SS ve S1), are given for (E1), (E2) and (E3) earthquake
levels in Annex A for a reference soil defined at the boundary between B and C soil classes
(shear wave velocity in the upper 30 m = 760 m/s). For other soil classes, the spectral
accelerations SMS ve SM1 corresponding to the same natural vibration periods shall be
calculated with the following relationships:

SMS = Fa SS
SM1 = Fv S1

(2.1)

The soil parameters Fa and Fv are given in Table 2.1 and Table 2.2, respectively. Soil classes
referred to in those tables are defined in Annex B.

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2.2.2 Design spectrum for a horizontal earthquake is defined as follows (Fig.2.1):

Sae (T ) = 0.4 S MS + 0.6

S MS
T
To

(To T )

Sae (T ) = S MS

(To T TS )

Sae (T ) =

S M1
T

(TS T TL )

Sae (T ) =

S M1 TL
T2

(2.2)

(TL T )

Spectrum corner periods To and TS are defined as:

TS =

S M1
S MS

To = 0.2TS

(2.3)

Transition period to long-period range shall be taken for Istanbul as TL=12s.

Tablo 2.1. Short period soil factor Fa

Short period spectral acceleration (g)a
SS = 0.50
SS = 0.75
SS =1.0
0.8
0.8
0.8
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.2
1.1
1.0
1.4
1.2
1.1
1.7
1.2
0.9
b
b

Soil class*

SS 0.25
SS 1.25
0.8
0.8
A
1.0
1.0
B
1.2
1.0
C
1.6
1.0
D
2.5
0.9
E
b

b
F
* See Annex B
a
Linear interpolation to be applied for intermediate values of SS
b
Site-specific geotechnical investigation and dynamic site response analysis are required.
Tablo 2.2. 1.0 s period soil factor Fv
Soil class *

S1 0.1
0.8
1.0
1.7
2.4
3.5
b

1.0 sec period spectral acceleration (g)a

S1 = 0.20
S1 = 0.3
S1 = 0.4
0.8
0.8
0.8
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.6
1.5
1.4
2.0
1.8
1.6
3.2
2.8
2.4
b
b
b

S1 0.5
0.8
1.0
1.3
1.5
2.4
b

A
B
C
D
E
F
* See Annex B
a
Linear interpolation to be applied for intermediate values of S1
b
Site-specific geotechnical investigation and dynamic site response analysis are required.

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Sae
SMS
SM1
Sae = ____
T
SM1
0.4SMS

TL
Sae = SM1 ____
T2
T0

TS

1.0
Figure 2.1

TL

2.3. EARTHQUAKE ACTIO I TIME DOMAI

2.3.1 A minimum seven sets of earthquake ground motions (acceleration records in two
perpendicular horizontal directions) with the following properties shall be selected for the
analysis to be performed in the time domain. Real earthquake accelereration records
compatible with the scenario earthquake parameters shall be used for each set of ground
motion. A strike-slip eartquake source mechanism with a 7.0 < Mw < 7.5 moment magnitude
and a soil class B or C shall be considered in the selection of records for the city of stanbul.
The earthquake distance shall be taken as the shortest distance between the building and the
main Marmara Fault line (See Fig.2.2). Acceleration records may be obtained from the
following data banks:
Cosmos Virtual Data Center http://db.cosmos-eq.org/
Peer Strong Motion Database http://peer.berkeley.edu/smcat/
European Strong- Motion Database http://www.isesd.cv.ic.ac.uk/ESD/frameset.htm
Japan K-NET NIED http://www.k-net.bosai.go.jp/
2.3.2 In the cases where sufficient number of acceleration records cannot be found, artificial
earthquake ground motions generated as compatible with the earthquake simulations or the
design spectrum may be used. The same acceleration record (accelerogram) shall not be used
for both directions.
2.3.3 The ground motion simulations shall be based on a physical model considering the
fault mechanism, rupture characteristics and the geological structure of the medium between
the earthquake source and recording station. In the cases where the distance between the
building and the main Marmara Fault line is shorter than 15 km (See Fig.2.2), a minimum
three sets of earthquake ground motions shall be generated by simulation in order to account
for directivity effects.

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2.3.4 The phase spectrum of artificially generated spectrum-compatible ground motions

should be similar to the phase spectrum of real acceleration records consistent with the
scenario earthquake parameters.
2.3.5 The average of 5% damped spectral amplitudes calculated at zero period from each set
of earthquake ground motion shall not be less than zero-period spectral amplitude of the
design spectrum (0.4 SMS).
2.3.6 The duration between the two points where acceleration amplitude first and last
exceed 0.05g shall not be shorter than 5 times the dominant natural vibration period of the
building nor 15 seconds for each earthquake ground motion record.
2.3.7 The resultant spectrum of an earthquake ground motion set shall be obtained through
square-root-of-sum-of-squares of 5% damped spectra of the two directions. The amplitudes of
earthquake groud motions shall be scaled according to a rule such that the amplitudes of the
resultant spectrum between the periods 0.2T and 1.2T (T = Dominant natural vibration period
of the building) shall not be less than 1.3 times the amplitudes of the design spectrum along
the same period range. The scaling of both components shall be made with the same factors.
2.3.8 In the cases where needed, the parameters related to vertical component of the
earthquake ground motion may be specified, subject to approval of the Independent Review
Board.

Figure 2.2

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CHAPTER 3
PERFORMACE LEVELS AD RAGES,
PERFORMACE OBJECTIVES FOR TALL BUILDIGS
Performance levels of tall buildings are defined below with respect estimated damages to
occur in earthquakes. The acceptable damage limits for those performance levels shall be
quantitatively defined seperately for each structural type or element.

3.1. MIIMUM DAMAGE / UITERRUPTED OCCUPACY PERFORMACE

LEVEL (MD UO)
Minimum Damage (Uninterrupted Occupancy) Performance Level describes a performance
condition such that no structural or nonstructural damage would occur in tall buildings and in
their elements under the effect of an earthquake or, if any, the damage would be very limited.
In this condition, the tall building can be occupied uniterruptedly and the problems, if any,
can be fixed in a few days.

3.2. COTROLLED DAMAGE / LIFE SAFETY PERFORMACE LEVEL (CD LS)

Controlled Damage (Life Safety) Performance Level describes a performance condition where
limited and repairable structural and nonstructural damage is permitted in tall buildings and in
their elements under the effect of an earthquake. In this condition, short term (a few weeks or
months) problems related to occupancy of the building may be expected.

3.3. EXTESIVE DAMAGE / OCOLLAPSE SAFETY PERFORMACE LEVEL

(ED C)
Extensive Damage (o-collapse Safety) Performance Level describes a performance condition
where extensive damage may occur in tall buildings and in their elements under the effect of
an earthquake prior to the collapse of the building. In this condition, long term problems
related to occupancy of the building may occur or the occupancy of the buildings may be
terminated.

3.4. PERFORMACE RAGES

The regions in between the above-defined performance levels are identified as performance
ranges (Fig. 3.1). The region below (MD UO) Performance Level is defined as Minimum
Damage / Uninterrupted Occupancy Performance Range, the region in between (MD UO)
Performance Level and (CD LS) Performance Level is defined as Controlled Damage / Life
Safety Performance Range, the region in between (CD LS) Performance Level and (ED
NC) Performance Level is defined as Extensive Damage / o-collapse Safety Performance
Range and the region above the (ED NC) Performance Level is defined as Collapse Range.

3.5. MIIMUM PERFORMACE OBJECTIVES FOR TALL BUILDIGS

Minimum performance objectives identified for tall buildings are given below (Table 3.1)
depending upon the earthquake levels defined above:

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Strength

CD/LS

ED/C

MD/UO

Minimum Damage / Controlled Damage / Ext. Damage /

Uninterrupted
Life
No-collapse
Occupancy
Safety
Safety
Performance
Performance
Performance Collapse
Range
Range
Range
Range

Displacement or
Deformation

Figure 3.1

3.5.1 The performance of tall buildings in ormal Occupancy Class (residence, hotel, office
building, etc.) is identified to be in Minimum Damage / Uninterrupted Occupancy
Performance Range under (E1) level earthquake, in Controlled Damage / Life Safety
Performance Range under (E2) level earthquake, and in Extensive Damage / o-collapse
Safety Performance Range under (E3) level earthquake.
3.5.2 The performance of tall buildings in Special Occupancy Class (health, education,
public administration buildings, etc.) is identified to be in Minimum Damage / Uninterrupted
Occupancy Performance Range under (E2) level earthquake, and in Controlled Damage / Life
Safety Performance Range under (E3) level earthquake
3.5.3 Upon the preference of the owner, higher performance objectives may be identified for
tall buildings in ormal Occupancy Class (residence, hotel, office building, etc.) with respect
to those defined in 3.5.1.
Tablo 3.1. Minimum performance objectives identified for tall buildings
under various earthquake levels
Building Occupancy
Class
ormal occupancy class:
Residence, hotel, office
building, etc.
Special occupancy class:
Health, education, public
admin. buildings, etc.

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(E1)
Earthquake
Level

(E2)
Earthquake
Level

(E3)
Earthquake
Level

MD / UO

CD / LS

ED / C

MD / UO

CD / LS

12

CHAPTER 4
AALYSIS AD DESIG PROCEDURES FOR TALL BUILDIGS
4.1. AALYSIS PROCEDURES FOR TALL BUILDIGS
4.1.1 In the linear elastic analysis of tall buildings required for design stages described in
4.3.1 and 4.3.2, Response Spectrum Analysis procedure shall be employed. Complete
Quadratic Combination Rule shall be used for modal combination to be applied to each
response quantity of interest.
4.1.2 Sufficient number of modes to be included in Response Spectrum Analysis shall be
determined according to modal story shears to be calculated for each story in each direction as
follows:
N

Vxin = M xin S aen

M xin = xn

m
j

xjn

(4.1)

j=i

where Saen respresents nth mode spectral acceleration and Mxin is the effective participating
modal mass associated with the story shear at (i)th story in nth mode for an earthquake in x
direction. m j refers to the mass of the jth story, xjn is the nth mode shape amplitude at the
mass centre of (j)th story in x direction, N represents the total number of stories and xn is
the modal participation factor of the nth mode for an earthquake in x direction:
N

m
j

xn =

xjn

j=1

(4.2)

mj 2xjn + mj 2yjn + mjjn2

j=1

The above-given relationships are based on an assumption of infinitely rigid floor diaphgrams
in their own planes.

4.1.3 In the nonlinear analysis of tall buildings required for design stages described in 4.3.2
and 4.3.4, Direct Integration procedure shall be employed in the time domain.
4.1.4 In nonlinear analysis, a minimum seven eartquake ground motion sets shall be used in
accordance with 2.3 and the acceleration records in the two perpendicular directions shall be
applied simultaneously along the principal axes of the structural system. Subsequently
directions of acceleration records shall be rotated by 90o and the analysis shall be repeated.
Design basis seismic demands shall be calculated as the average of results obtained from the
minimum 2*7 = 14 analysis.
4.1.5 In the linear or nonlinear analysis of tall buildings, damping ratio shall be taken
= 0.05 as a maximum. It is mandatory to take into account second order (P ) effects.
4.1.6 In the linear or nonlinear analysis of tall buildings, Live Load Participation Factor, n,
given in Eq.(2.6) of (SBCSZ Specification for Buildings to be Constructed in Seismic Zones
2007) shall be defined as follows for the case indicated in the third row of Table 2.7 of
SBCSZ (2007), but its value shall not exceed 0.30.

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n = 0.01(50  )
n = 0.10

 40
 > 40

(4.3)

4.1.7 In the cases where needed, vertical component of the earthquake ground motion may
be considered as well, subject to approval of the Independent Review Board.
4.2. REQUIREMETS FOR AALYSIS MODELIG
4.2.1 Modeling of frame elements shall be made with frame finite elements in linear
analysis. Modeling in nonlinear analysis can be made with plastic sections (plastic hinges) in
the framework of lumped plasticity approach or through fiber elements in the framework of
distributed plasticity approach. Regarding the plastic hinge length, an appropriate empirical
relationship may be selected from the literature, subject to approval of the Independent
Review Board. In nonlinear analysis, alternative modeling approaches may be followed upon
the approval of Independent Review Board. In linear and nonlinear models of steel frames,
shear deformation in the beam-column panel zone shall be considered.
4.2.2 In linear analysis, modeling of reinforced concrete walls and their parts shall be made
with shell finite elements. In order to be consistent with the effective bending rigidities of the
frame elements with cracked sections, elastic modulus (E) of shell elements can be reduced by
using the empirical relationships given in 7.4.13 of SBCSZ (2007).
4.2.3 In modeling reinforced concrete walls and their parts for nonlinear analysis, fiber
elements or alternative modeling options may be used in the framework of distributed
plasticity approach, subject to approval of the Independent Review Board. The cross-section
requirements given in 3.6.1 of SBCSZ (2007) may not be applied to reinforced concrete walls
of tall buildings with heights exceeding 70 m. Shear stiffnesses of reinforced concrete walls
shall be considered.
4.2.4 Effective bending rigidities shall be used for reinforced concrete frame elements with
cracked sections. In the preliminary design stage described in 4.3.1, empirical relationships
given in 7.4.13 of SBCSZ (2007) may be utilized. In other design and verification stages
described in 4.3, effective bending rigidity shall be obtained from the sections momentcurvature relationship as follows (Fig.4.1):
( EI )e =

MY MN
=
y
'y

(4.4)

where M Y , represents the state of first-yield in the section. The corresponding curvature 'y
represents a state where either concrete strain attains a value of 0.002 or steel strain reaches
the yield value, whichever occurs first. The nominal plastic moment M N corresponding to
effective yield curvature y is calculated with concrete compressive strain reaching 0.004 or
steel strain attaining 0.015, whichever occurs first. In calculating the moment strengths of
columns, axial forces due to gravity loads only may be considered.

4.2.5 Material models given in Informative Annex 7B of SBCSZ (2007) can be used for
confined concrete and steel reinforcement. Use of high strength concrete exceeding C50 is
subject to approval of the Independent Review Board.

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M
MU
MN
MY

(EI)e

y y

Figure 4.1
4.2.6 In preliminary design stage described in 4.3.1, design strengths, (fd), of concrete,
reinforcing steel and structural steel are defined as the relevant characteristic strengths, (fk),
divided by material safety factors. In other design and verification stages in 4.3, expected
strentghs, ( fe ), shall be used as design strengths without any material safety factors. The
following relationships may be considered between the expected and characteristic strengths:
Concrete

f ce = 1.3 f ck

Reinforcing steel

f ye = 1.17 f yk

Structural steel (S 235)

f ye = 1.5 f yk

Structural steel (S 275)

f ye = 1.3 f yk

Structural steel (S 355)

f ye = 1.1 f yk

(4.5)

4.2.7 Bi-linear backbone curves may be considered in hysteretic relationships of plastic

sections (plastic hinges) of frame elements. Stiffness and strength degradation effects may be
disregarded in hysteretic relationships of newly constructed buildings.
4.2.8 In floor planes at which abrupt changes (in particular downward changes) are present
in lateral stiffnesses of vertical structural elements, a special care shall be paid for the
arrangement of transfer floors with sufficient in-plane stiffness and strength.
4.2.9 The stiffness of the foundation and the soil medium shall be considered by appropriate
models to be approved by the Independent Review Board. When needed, nonlinear behaviour
of soil-foundation system may be taken into account in design stages described in 4.3.2 and
4.3.4.

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4.3. PERFORMACE-BASED SEISMIC DESIG STAGES OF TALL BUILDIGS

4.3.1. Design Stage (I A): Preliminary Design (dimensioning) with Linear Analysis for
Controlled Damage/Life Safety Performance Objective under (E2) Level Earthquake
4.3.1.1 In this design stage aiming at preliminary dimensioning for Controled Damage/Life
Safety performance objective, a linear analysis shall be performed in the framework of
Strength-Based Design approach with reduced seismic loads similar to Chapter 2 of SBCSZ
(2007) under (E2) level earthquake for ormal Occupancy Buildings according to Table 3.1,
and under (E3) level earthquake for Special Occupancy Buildings (Table 4.1). Preliminary
design shall follow Chapter 3 and/or Chapter 4 of SBCSZ (2007).
4.3.1.2 Seismic Load Reduction Factor to be used for reducing elastic seismic loads
depending on Structural System Behaviour Factor given in 4.3.1.3 below and on natural
vibration period is defined as follows:
T
Ra (T ) = 1.5 + (R 1.5)
(0 T TS )
(4.6)
TS
Ra (T ) = R
(TS < T )
where TS represents the spectrum corner period defined by Eq.(2.3).

4.3.1.3 In the preliminary design of the following tall building structural systems, Structural
System Behaviour Factor may be taken at most R = 7, subject to the approval of Independent
Review Board:
(a) Building structural systems where seismic loads are resisted by coupled reinforced
concrete structural walls;
(b) Building structural systems where seismic loads are resisted by eccentric or buckling
restrained concentric brace frames;
(c) Building structural systems where seismic loads are resisted by moment resisting
reinforced concrete or steel frames arranged as tube or tube-in-tube systems;
(d) Building structural systems where seismic loads are resisted by solid or coupled reinforced
concrete structural walls combined with steel braced frames described in (b) and/or moment
resisting reinforced concrete or steel frames;
(e) Other building structural systems whose seismic behaviour is endorsed by the Independent
Review Board to be equivalent to those given above (R factors to be applied to such systems
shall be proposed by the design engineer and approved by the Independent Review Board).
The above-described tall building structural systems are those located above the basement
floors sorrounded by stiff peripheral walls.

4.3.1.4 Being independent of R factor used, the base shear to be considered in the
preliminary design shall not be less than the value given by the following expression:
Vt,min = 0.04 S MS(D2) W

(4.7)

Where S MS(D2) represents the short-period spectral acceleration specified for (E2) level
earthquake and W is a weight representing the buildimg mass. All internal force quantities
obtained from Response Spectrum Analysis shall be scaled such that the base shear calculated
by the same procedure would be equal to that given by Eq.4.7.
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4.3.1.5 Accidental eccentricity effects shall be considered according to 2.8.2.1 of SBCSZ

(2007).
4.3.1.6 Internal force quantites in principal axes of elements shall be calculated according to
2.7.5 of SBCSZ (2007).
4.3.1.7 Interstory drifts of vertical structural elements shall be calculated and bounded in
each direction according to 2.10.1 of SBCSZ (2007). Minimum base shear requirement given
in 4.3.1.4 may not be considered in the calculation of interstory drifts.
4.3.1.8 Minimum confinement reinforcement given in Chapter 3 of SBCSZ (2007) for
high-ductility systems shall be used in all reinforced concrete elements.
4.3.1.9 Capacity design principles given for shear safety of columns and beams in Chapter
3 and/or Chapter 4 of SBCSZ (2007) shall be applied.
4.3.1.10 Regarding the shear safety of vertically cantilever or nearly cantilever reinforced
concrete walls, the requirements of 3.6.6.3 of SBCSZ (2007) shall be applied where minimum
value of dynamic shear amplification factor given in Eq.(3.16) shall be taken v = 2.
4.3.2. Design Stage (I B): Design with onlinear Analysis for Controlled Damage/Life
Safety Performance Objective under (E2) Level Earthquake
4.3.2.1 The structural system of a tall building with a height exceeding 75 m, which is
preliminarily designed in Design Stage (I A) with Strength-Based Design approach under
(E2) level earthquake for ormal Occupancy Buildings according to Table 3.1 or under (E3)
level earthquake for Special Occupancy Buildings, shall be designed under the same level of
earthquake for Controlled Damage / Life Safety performance objective with nonlinear analysis
to be performed according to the requirements of 4.2 (Table 4.1). Accidental eccentricity
effects need not to be considered in this analysis.
4.3.2.2 The seismic demands obtained according to 4.1.4 as the average of the results of
minimum 2*7=14 analysis shall be compared with the following capacities:
(a) Interstory drift ratio of each vertical structural element shall not exceed 0.025 at each story
in each direction.
(b) Upper limits of concrete compressive strain at the extreme fiber inside the confinement
reinforcement and the reinforcing steel strain are given in the following for reinforced
concrete sections satisfying the confinement requirements of SBCSZ (2007):
cg = 0.0135
;
s = 0.04
(4.8)
(c) Deformation capacities of structural steel frame elements shall be taken from ASCE/SEI
41-06* for Life Safety performance objective.
(d) Shear capacities of reinforced concrete structural elements shall be calculated from
SBCSZ (2007) using expected strengths given in 4.2.6.
(e) In the event where any of the requirements given in (a) through (d) above is not satisfied,
all design stages shall be repeated with a modified structural system.
*ASCE/SEI 41-06: Seismic Rehabilitation of Existing Buildings, American Society of Civil
Engineers, 1st edition, 15/05/2007.
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4.3.3. Design Stage (II): Design Verification with Linear Analysis for Minimum Damage/
Uninterrupted Occupancy Performance Objective under (E1) Level Earthquake
4.3.3.1 The tall building structural system, which is preliminarily designed in Design Stage
(I A) with Strength-Based Design approach under (E2) level earthquake for ormal
Occupancy Buildings according to Table 3.1 or under (E3) level earthquake for Special
Occupancy Buildings, and subsequently designed in Design Stage (I B) under the same
earthquake level, shall be verified for Minimum Damage / Uninterrupted Occupancy
performance objective under (E1) level earthquake for ormal Occupancy Buildings and
under (E2) level earthquake for Special Occupancy Buildings with linear analysis to be
performed according to requirements given in 4.2 (Table 4.1). Accidental eccentricity effects
need not to be considered in this analysis. Design of tall buildings with heights not exceeding
75 m shall terminate at this stage.
4.3.3.2 Internal force quantites in principal axes of elements shall be calculated according to
2.7.5 of SBCSZ (2007).
4.3.3.3 Verification-basis internal forces shall be obtained as those calculated from linear
elastic analysis divided by a factor of Ra = 1.5, irrespective of the type of the structural
system. Those forces shall be shown not to exceed the strength capacities of cross sections
calculated with expected material strengths given in 4.2.6.
4.3.3.4 Interstory drift ratio of each vertical structural element obtained according to 2.10.1
of SBCSZ (2007) shall not exceed 0.01 at each story in each direction.
4.3.3.5 In the event where 4.3.3.3 and/or 4.3.3.4 is not satisfied, all design stages shall be
repeated with a modified structural system.
4.3.4. Design Stage (III): Design Verification with onlinear Analysis for Extensive
Damage/o-Collapse Safety Performance Objective under (E3) Level Earthquake
4.3.4.1 The tall building structural system with a height exceeding 75 m, which is
preliminarily designed in Design Stage (I A) with Strength-Based Design approach under
(E2) level earthquake for ormal Occupancy Buildings according to Table 3.1 and
subsequently designed in Design Stage (I B) under the same earthquake level, shall be
verified for Extensive Damage / o-collapse Safety performance objective under (E3) level
earthquake with nonlinear analysis to be performed according to requirements given in 4.2
(Table 4.1). Accidental eccentricity effects need not to be considered in this analysis.
4.3.4.2 The seismic demands obtained according to 4.1.4 as the average of the results of
minimum 2*7=14 analysis shall be compared with the following capacities:
(a) Interstory drift ratio of each vertical structural element shall not exceed 0.035 at each story
in each direction.
(b) Upper limits of concrete compressive strain at the extreme fiber inside the confinement
reinforcement and the reinforcing steel strain are given in the following for reinforced
concrete sections satisfying the confinement requirements of SBCSZ (2007):
cg = 0.018
;
s = 0.06
(4.9)

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(c) Deformation capacities of structural steel frame elements shall be taken from ASCE/SEI
41-06* for Collapse Prevention performance objective.
(d) Shear capacities of reinforced concrete structural elements shall be calculated from
SBCSZ (2007) using expected strengths given in 4.2.6.
(e) In the event where any of the requirements given in (a) through (d) above is not satisfied,
all design stages shall be repeated with a modified structural system.
Table 4.1. Performance-based design stages of high-rise buildings
Design Stage
IA
Prelim. design
(dimensioning)
ormal class
buildings
(D2) earthquake
Special class
buildings
(D3) earthquake

Design Stage
IB

Design Stage
II

Design Stage
III

Design

Verification

Verification

ormal class
buildings
(D2) earthquake
Special class
buildings
(D3) earthquake

ormal class
buildings
(D1) earthquake
Special class
buildings
(D2) earthquake

ormal class
buildings
(D3) earthquake

Performance
objective

Life Safety

Life Safety

Immediate
Occupancy

Collapse
Prevention

Analysis type

3-D Linear
Response
Spectrum
Analysis

3-D Nonlinear
Time-history
Analysis

3-D Linear
Response
Spectrum
Analysis

3-D Nonlinear
Time-history
Analysis

Structural Syst.
Behavior Coef.

R7

R = 1.5

Story drift
ratio limit

%2

% 2.5

%1

% 3.5

Section
stiffness in R/C
frame members
kesit rijitlii

Effective
stiffness
(from SBCSZ
2007)

Material
strengths
Acceptance
criteria

Characteristic
strength
Strength &
Story drift ratio

Effective
stiffness
(from momentcurvature
analysis
Expected
strength
Strains & Story
drift ratio

Effective
stiffness
(from momentcurvature
analysis
Expected
strength
Strains & Story
drift ratio

Effective
stiffness
(from momentcurvature
analysis
Expected
strength
Strains & Story
drift ratio

Design Stage
Design type

Earthquake
Level

Design of tall buildings with heights not exceeding 75 m shall terminate at this stage.

*ASCE/SEI 41-06: Seismic Rehabilitation of Existing Buildings, American Society of Civil

Engineers, 1st edition, 15/05/2007.

Final note: Translation of Chapters 5,6,7,8 is pending.

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