A building in Kona requires seismic design. The structure has a weight of 180,000 lbs and is located in an area with a seismic design coefficient of 0.15. Calculate the minimum seismic base shear force.
Correct Answer
A) 27,000 lbs
Base shear = Weight × Seismic coefficient = 180,000 lbs × 0.15 = 27,000 lbs minimum seismic base shear force.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
The minimum seismic base shear (V) is calculated using the formula V = W × Cs, where W is the building weight and Cs is the seismic design coefficient. Here: V = 180,000 lbs × 0.15 = 27,000 lbs. This is the lateral force the structure's foundation must be designed to resist.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option B: 33,000 lbs
33,000 lbs results from an incorrect coefficient, possibly 0.183 or from adding an erroneous factor. No standard calculation produces this value from the given inputs.
Option C: 24,000 lbs
24,000 lbs results from using a coefficient of approximately 0.133 instead of 0.15, or from incorrectly reducing the building weight before multiplying — a computational error.
Option D: 30,000 lbs
30,000 lbs results from using a coefficient of approximately 0.167 — slightly higher than given. This error typically comes from rounding the coefficient up or confusing it with a different seismic zone value.
Memory Technique
Base Shear = Weight × Coefficient. 'What does the ground shake?' — It shakes the Weight, scaled by the Coefficient. 180,000 × 0.15: move the decimal left one place from 180,000 to get 18,000, then add half again (9,000) → 27,000.
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