UBC or ASCE Earthquake load

[KillerEngineer]

Hi

When it comes to Earthquake load calculations, which is more appropriate to use? UBC or ASCE?
For some reason I hear UBC. Could anyone elaborate on why?

Thanks

V

 

[weab]

I say ASCE is the code you want, sort of.

Historically, UBC has been the leader in earthquake design loading. Since the merger of codes and the introduction of IBC, IBC has been the appropriate code. IBC now references ASCE7-05. By reference, ASCE is part of IBC.

UBC97 (the last edition) is generally outdated unless you do work outside of the US.

Use IBC.

 

[KillerEngineer]

Well, the project we work on are mostly in the middle east. So the UBC would be a better choice then>

 

[westheimer1234]

yeah, UBC is obsolete. Even California already switched to IBC about 2 to 3 years ago.

Dont know if there are still any US state using UBC.

 

[hokie66]

For projects in the Middle East, I don't think the IBC has much relevance. "International" doesn't reflect the standing of the code, as it is really only used in the US.

 

[sandman21]

The last project I had in the mid-east, used UBC, I would go with IBC. It's used as a model code in more places than people give it credit for.

 

[jenofstructures]

ASCE is better since the IBC and the "then" UBC make references on this code

UBC stops producing on 1997 if i remember it correctly

But they said you must look at the UFC to know which code to look according to what kind of structures you are designing

Poems are made by fools like me, but only God can make a tree. engineers creates wonderful buildings, but only God can creates wonderful minds

 

[KillerEngineer]

Thanks for your answers. It was really educational.

However, it still leaves me quite confused.

For example. We have had projects with the same contractor (In the middle east) where we used both UBC (Earthquake load) and ASCE (Other loads) in one location and only ASCE in a different location, but the same country.

I wonder now, on what grounds are these chosen? Anything to do with the scale of the structure? or perhaps is it just somebody's personal preference?

 

[hokie66]

It depends on the country. Some countries don't have their own or preferred codes, so the consultants choose the ones with which they are familiar or the ones most likely to suit suppliers of steel sections, etc.