Deck

[Mmarquioreto]

Hello everyone

Is a Deck considered a non structural component?

Which ASCE chapter should I use for the seismic design?

Thank you so much.

Best Regards,

Myla.

 

[JAE]

Is this a small deck for a residence?
Or a larger deck for a commercial building?
How is the deck to be laterally braced?

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[Mmarquioreto]

Hi Jae,

Is a deck for a multifamily unit. It servers as main entrance for the second floor residents. I am not sure how I would frame yet, but probably conventional wood framing.

Thank you.


Mila

 

[BridgeSmith]

What are you trying to avoid by classifying it as non-structural? I don't know the official definition of a structural component is, but my personal code says if anything falls down or someone could get hurt or killed if it fails, then it's structural.

 

[chucklesNOLA]

I can't think of any circumstance under which an occupable space (like a deck) could be classified as a non-structural component. Non-structural is defined in ASCE 7-10 Section 11.2 (I don't have 7-16 to hand).

Component, Nonstructural - A part of an architectural, mechanical or electrical system within or without a building
or nonbuilding structure.

I would be inclined to design the lateral system by tying it back into the structure, since it's almost certainly part of the exiting system and should be available after an event. I'd hate to see relative drift leave the main entry/exit unusable.