Problem Assignment - Lateral-Force Resistance of Building Systems
The plan shown below is for a single-story building that is 10 feet tall. The building was constructed in the 1920's of unreinforced clay-unit masonry. Through laboratory testing, bricks were found to have a flat-wise compressive strength equal to 4000 psi, and that the mortar was a Type N mortar made with masonry cement. A beam runs along line A to carry gravity loads to the corner columns.
Determine the maximum earthquake load, PEQ, which can be applied in the north-south direction at the center of mass as shown in the sketch for each of the following two cases.
1. The roof diaphragm consists of the original timber joists running in the east-west direction and planking, and thus may be assumed flexible. Assume that the timber joists and planking weighs 35 pounds per square foot.
2. The building is being upgraded by stiffening the timber floor diaphragm with a 3" topping of concrete.
Base your assessment using the allowable stress provisions of the 2013 MSJC code.
