Cost effects of increased seismic demand - 2

[bkal]

Can anyone advise the cost penalty for construction of an industrial facility (up to three stories high) for a peak ground acceleration of 0.2g rather than 0.14g? The structure will be either a reinforced concrete or steelwork structure (built in the UK, but experience from US would help a lot). Also, does anybody have any idea if it would require an upgrade in the plant specs (mainly HVAC, electrical cabinets and similar).

Thanks in advance,

 

[SlideRuleEra]

About 15 years ago, I "bumped-up" the seismic requirement in the project design critera document for a new 500 MW electric generating station from the (then current) required UBC Zone 2A (0.15g) to UBC Zone 2B (0.20g). Our design consultants hollered like a bunch of "stuck pigs" - but we made them stick to it. (This was not an arbitrary move on my part - seismic risk was being downplayed in our area at that time - temporarily, as time has proved).

After we had the consulting firm prepare & submit an estimate of the differential cost, they had to admit that the added cost was reasonable (less than 1% construction cost increase, based on memory).

Here is a link that gives an opinion on a similar change (see the info starting on page 13 of the download)

http://cem.utah.gov/pdf/ussc/vsp.pdf

Best Wishes

http://www.SlideRuleEra.net