Metallurgical Factory and Mine Building Earthquake-resistant Design
Introduction
Earthquakes are an unpredictable and destructive natural phenomenon which cause widespread damage to communities. As a result, it is essential for all structures, both residential and commercial, to be designed with an adequate level of seismic performance. This is especially true for large structures such as metallurgical factories and mines, as they often house hazardous materials and large amounts of personnel. Consequently,it is important to carefully examine the seismic related design requirements and structural details to ensure structural integrity.
Background Information
Metallurgical factories and mine buildings are commonly composed of cast-in-place reinforced concrete frames with external bracing elements. These are often covered with masonry, stucco and plaster finishes. In most cases, these structures are designed to have the capacity to resist seismic forces in order to protect the personnel and equipment inside of them. The International Building Code (IBC) requires that all structures in high risk seismic zones (Zone 4)must be designed to resist seismic forces with a minimum of 1.65 times the strength of the design wind load.
Design Considerations
When designing a metallurgical factory or mine building for earthquake resistance, there are three main considerations which must be taken into account:
Foundation Design: The foundation must be designed to resist the lateral and overturning actions that occur during seismic events. Special attention should be paid to soil-structure interaction and the potential for differential settlement under seismic loading.
Vertical Structure Design: The vertical structure must be designed to resist seismic forces acting on the building due to ground acceleration and base shear. Vertical elements such as columns, walls and beams must be designed with sufficient flexural, shear and dowel capacity.
Lateral Structure Design: The lateral structure must be designed to resist seismic forces acting on the building due to shake and drift. Lateral resistance is typically provided by a dual system composed of rigid boundary elements and flexible diaphragms.
Conclusion
Metallurgical factories and mine buildings are exposed to severe seismic forces which must be adequately resisted to ensure the safety of personnel and equipment. To this end, special attention must be paid to foundation design, vertical structure design, and lateral structure design in order to ensure an adequate level of seismic performance. By following these design guidelines and using appropriate materials, it is possible to create structures with a high level of seismic resistance.
