Simplified Design Criteria

[floridashaughn]

I am a young engineer, and trying to understand the design criteria for Seismic Loading of ASCE 7-10 (Simplified Alternative Design Criteria). For a cooling tower (50ft), how many stories would this be considered. Would this exceed the 3 stories above grade plane? Since this is not an occupied building would this apply?
Thank you

 

[structSU10]

ASCE 7-10 table 15.4-2 has cooling towers - Chapter 15 is meant for structure similar/not similar to buildings for seismic analysis. The simplified procedure does not seem applicable for this structure.

 

[floridashaughn]

Thank you!