The International Building Code [ICC, 2006], and the attendant structural designstandard ASCE/SEI 7-05 Minimum Design Loads for Building’s and Other Structures[ASCE, 2006] provides the structural criteria for buildings, as well as the seismicdesign requirements for nonstructural components, equipment, and systems. Over theyears this criteria has been expanded from essentially nominal design requirements (2pages) to an entire chapter of content dedicated to nonstructural components in ASCE7-05, not including additional referenced industry standards for certain components.With this additional design complexity, are we really sure that we will achieve theexpected earthquake performance intended for nonstructural components, equipment,and systems, or are there other issues affecting desired performance that requiregreater attention?This paper will present issues that compromise achieving the expected nonstructuralcomponent earthquake performance that the codes and standards intend by examiningseveral case examples of projects in the Midwest. Specifically, four (4) constructionprojects will be examined where enhanced seismic performance and standard codecompliance performance levels were used for design of the building structure andnonstructural components. The paper will present the issues affecting the seismicperformance of nonstructural components from initial design, development ofcontractor implemented seismic design performance criteria, contract language,contractor seismic design implementation, contractor construction, and monitoringconstruction quality. As the paper will conclude, achieving enhanced earthquakeperformance for nonstructural components, equipment, and systems is difficult, butnot impossible. Suggested solutions are offered for improved earthquakeperformance of nonstructural components on future projects.
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