Transient Load

[lboada]

Should a Transient load (like a blowdown force) considered like a Live load or due to its non-steady condition shall be considered as an earthquake load? It seems too conservative to apply the live load factor (1.6) to a blowdown force for the concrete design. Please advise.

 

[JedClampett]

It might seem too conservative, but the difficult nature of calculating this kind of force, plus its impact makes using the 1.6 factor a good idea.
Put it this way, if there's a problem, everyone is going to ask why you didn't use the 1.6 factor.