28/09/2017 Is Amplification of Accidental Torsion Required in Response Spectrum Analysis?

Is Amplification of Accidental Torsion Required in Response Spectrum

Analysis?
Posted on 2014-02-12

Topics: ASCE 7-10, Seismic Provisions

Question:

We currently have a building assigned to SDC C with rigid diaphragms and horizontal
irregularity type 1a. Per ASCE 7-10 Section 12.8.4.3, the accidental torsion (12.8.4.2) needs to
be amplified by factor Ax, which is calculated using Eq. 12.8-14. I understand this amplification
is necessary in a Equivalent Lateral Force (ELF) procedure to properly account for the effects of
torsional irregularities under high seismic loading. However, my question is, does the Ax factor
need to be applied in a Modal Response Spectrum Analysis (MRSA) as well? My current
understanding is that Ax does not need to be applied if the structure is analyzed by means of a
3D dynamic response spectrum analysis, because:

A) A modal response spectrum analysis is based on a number of modes, and the torsional mode
is part of them. Hence the “twist” of the structure will be picked up and the response will
include a torsional effect. So, we only need to model the accidental torsion as per 12.8.4.2 by
specifying a 5% offset in the center of mass of the floor diaphragms.

B) The amplification is only mentioned in Section 12.8 of ASCE 7-10 (i.e. the ELF part) but not mentioned in 12.9 (i.e. the MRSA part), and hence
there is no basis to require the amplification from a designer.

Answer:

ASCE 7-10 Section 12.9.5 states:

"The distribution of horizontal shear shall be in accordance with Section 12.8.4 except that amplification of torsion in accordance with Section
12.8.4.3 is not required where accidental torsion effects are included in the dynamic analysis model."

So, inclusion of accidental torsion and its amplification (for SDC C or higher with 1a or 1b horizontal irregularity) is definitely required for MRSA.
The exception in the above section is not applicable in the overwhelming majority of the analysis models. That is because we include the accidental
torsion by simply specifying a 5% offset in the application of lateral floor forces that have been determined using response spectrum analysis. In
other words, accidental torsion is not determined as part of the dynamic analysis, but as the result of a separate static load applied at an eccentricity.
The only way we can use the exception is to incorporate the accidental torsion effects into the building model itself by defining a floor mass
distribution that is not uniform so that the center of mass has a 5% offset from the centroid of the floor area. This would incorporate the effects of
accidental displacement of the actual center of mass of each floor from its theoretical location into the dynamic characteristics of the building and as
a result, the effect will become part of the mode shapes and modal periods. However, this is almost never done. To repeat, what we mostly do is just
a static application of an additional torsion by specifying a 5% offset to the application of the seismic forces, even if that option may appear as part
of the dynamic force properties of an analysis software. As a result, amplification of accidental torsion is still required.

The "torsional mode" you are talking about captures the effects of inherent torsion due to irregularities, but not the effects of accidental torsion,
unless the building model explicitly incorporates it (as described above).

Section C12.8.4 of the expanded commentary to ASCE 7-10 seismic provisions (3rd Printing) has a very detailed discussion on accidental torsion
and its amplification, and Section C12.9.5 has a discussion on the inclusion of accidental torsion as a static load or as a dynamic property of the
building.

This is the intellectual property of S.K.Ghosh Associates Inc.

https://skghoshassociates.com/SKGAblog/viewpost.php?id=5 1/1