Seismic Loading with no Liquefaction

[texasmurphys]

Hey, Hope you guys can help me out.

I have a very simple concrete slab in a UBC seismic zone 4. The soil report is saying that there is no chance of liquefaction as ground water levels are lower than 60 feet. Do I still need to apply the seismic loading to the slab if this is the case and if so would anyone be able to tell me the calculation for that load, preferably 1997 UBC calculation. I don't have a copy of the code(i need to get it i know)

Being in Houston I have never applied seismic loading before so excuse my complete ignorance!

Thanks so much

 

[texasmurphys]

Oh and i am sorry if this is the wrong thread. I thought I was in structural other topics at the time!! Grrrr im such a noob

 

[JedClampett]

I never saw your thread moved to the structural area. I don't know if you got set straight or not, but here goes:
There's no more zones. Everything is site specific. You're correct that you need to get the current code, but more specifically ASCE 7-05. You can get site specific values if you know the longitude and latitude or the zip code if you go to this site (

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/research/hazmaps/design/).

It's a little tough to fight through initially, you have to download some stuff, but it's doggone handy.
But the values without the ASCE document are not really that helpful.
As far as the Geotechnical Report, just because you don't have liquefaction doesn't mean you can ignore seismic. All structures (not in Florida) need to consider seismic, even if it is to say that wind controls.

 

[CPENG78]

Texasmurphys,
You need to verify which code governs for your project. I'm in California and we have to adhere to the CBC 2007 which basically follows the IBC 2006 and ASCE 7-05. Like Jed mentioned, everything is site specific now and the zones no longer apply under these codes (I had previosuly designed for seismic under UBC 1997 and there were many changes to the new code) unless your project has a stipulation which allows it follow an older code.