Seismic Restraint and Bracing for Non-structural Building Components

Synopsis

Modern buildings are constructed to meet various performance criteria including their survivability against natural disasters. Earthquakes have always been considered to be one of the most important natural phenomena, based on their capability of causing catastrophic damage in very short space of time. To minimise damage to buildings and to save human life, seismic performance levels are generally specified. Typically, these vary from operational, immediate occupancy, life safety and collapse prevention depending on the protection required. To achieve these seismic performance levels, an integrated approach is necessary, where both structural and non-structural parts of the building are designed and constructed to meet the same criteria. International and national building codes/standards cover extensively the structural requirements, but in the majority of cases non-structural components are neglected. When it comes to best practice, the International Building Code(IBC), developed in the USA, is one of the leading standards, providing design guidelines for non-structural components. The IBC also refers to ASCE/SEI 7-10, Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures. Chapter 13 of ASCE/SEI 7-10 deals with seismic design requirements for non-structural building components.

Non-structural building components include Mechanical, Electrical & Process (MEP) systems, architectural components, and communication systems including IT. Their correct design and installation ensures buildings are safe and, in the case of critical facilities, operational. It has been well documented that earthquake damage to non-structural building components accounts for over 50% of monetary damage to buildings. After the 1994 Northridge earthquake in California the total losses were estimated to be around $18.5 billion. The structural damage was relatively low, 8% in hospitals and 18% in the case of office buildings. Non-structural losses made up about 48% in hospitals and 62% in offices, and the highest number of 70% was recorded for hotels. Certain levels of damage that result in short periods of occupancy inconvenience and inhabitability is acceptable in most building types. But in the case of essential facilities, such as hospitals, communication control centres, fire and police stations, damage must be minimised so these facilities remain operational after an earthquake. In these cases particular attention needs to be given to MEP systems together with the communication and IT installations. Their resilience to earthquakes, and especially their ability to remain functional, will contribute to saving human lives.

The Speaker will introduce and provide insight to these topics.

About the speaker

Martin Deveci is the Managing Director of Acrefine Engineering, manufacturer of seismic restraint mounts and bracing products for MEP systems. He has over 20 years of experience in mechanical engineering and 7 years in the field of seismic design and application of non-structural building components. He earned his MSc degree in Design & Manufacturing Management from London South Bank University and BEng in Mechanical Engineering from Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul. He is a member of ASHRAE's Technical Committee 2.7, Seismic & Wind Design, which is concerned with fundamental scientific and engineering design principles for seismic and wind resistant design of HVACR equipment and building mechanical/electrical service systems. He is actively promoting the subject through seminars and conferences around the world, and his paper on this subject was recently published at the Tenth U.S. National Conference on Earthquake Engineering.

He has worked on various projects that include The Marmaray, a railway tunnel under the Bosphorus linking the European and Asian sides of Istanbul, Talca and Clinica Las Condes hospitals in Chile, Keiser hospital in USA. Noteworthy commercial projects include Zorlu Center mixed use high rise building with investment value of $2.5 billion dollars, Al Baraka Akkom Office Park, and BP's new office building in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Further information

This evening meeting is organised by SECED and chaired by Ian G Smith (Atkins). Non-members of the society are welcome to attend. Attendance at this meeting is free. Seats are allocated on a first come, first served basis. Tea and biscuits will be served from 5.30pm - 6pm. The event will also be broadcast online (follow this link). For further information, please contact Greg James (tel. 020 7665 2229).