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Flowchart 1 - Seismic Ground Motion Values Page 1

Seismic Ground Motion Values

Determine SS and S1 from fig. 22-1 Determine ground motion values

through 22-14 (per 11.4.1). using site-specific ground motion
procedures per Chapter 21 (11.4.7).

No Is SS ≤ 0.15 and S1 ≤ 0.04? Yes

Structure is permitted to be
assigned to SDC A and must comply
with only 11.7 (11.4.1).

Is the structure seismically

No Yes
isolated or does it have
damping systems on sites with
S1 ≥0.6?

Determine ground motion from a

ground motion hazard analysis in
accordance with 21.2 (11.4.7).

No Is soil data available? Yes

Soil classification type D may be

assumed if soil properties are Determine the site class of the
unknown, unless the building official soil in accordance with 11.4.2
determines that soil class E or F are and Chapter 20 (11.4.2).
likely to be present at the site (11.4.2). A
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Flowchart 1 - Seismic Ground Motion Values Page 2

No Is the site classified as Site Class Yes

F?

Determine ground motion values

using a site response analysis in
accordance with 21.1 (11.4.7).

Determine Fa and Fv using Tables 14.1-1 and 14.1-2, respectively (11.4.3) [Can also use the “Fa & Fv Chart”
mentioned on http://structuralengineerhq.com/seismic-design-criteria-asce-7-chapter-11/].

Determine SMS and SM1 by equations 11.4-1 and 11.4-2, respectively (11.4.3):
𝑆𝑀𝑆 = 𝐹𝑎 𝑆𝑠 (eq. 11.4-1) 𝑆𝑀1 = 𝐹𝑣 𝑆1 (eq. 11.4-2)

Determine SDS and SD1 by equations 11.4-3 and 11.4-4,

respectively (11.4.4):

𝑆𝐷𝑆 = 2𝑆𝑀𝑆 /3 (eq. 11.4-3) 𝑆𝐷1 = 2𝑆𝑀1 /3 (eq. 11.4-4)