When constructing a new single-family residence in California Seismic Design Category D, what is the minimum nominal diameter required for anchor bolts connecting the sill plate to the foundation?
Correct Answer
D) 5/8 inch
Per CBC Section 2308.6 and California's enhanced seismic requirements, anchor bolts in Seismic Design Category D must be minimum 5/8-inch nominal diameter. This increased size from the standard 1/2-inch requirement helps resist the higher seismic forces expected in California's high seismic zones.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
CBC Section 2308.6 specifies that anchor bolts in Seismic Design Category D must be a minimum of 5/8-inch nominal diameter. California's high seismic risk requires this larger diameter compared to lower-risk areas to resist the greater lateral forces generated during earthquakes.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: 3/8 inch
3/8 inch is too small and is not a standard anchor bolt size for sill plate connections. It would not provide sufficient shear and tension capacity for any residential seismic application under the CBC.
Option B: 1/2 inch
1/2 inch is the standard anchor bolt diameter used in lower seismic design categories (A, B, and C). In California's SDC D, the code requires the upgraded 5/8-inch size to handle higher seismic demand.
Option C: 3/4 inch
3/4 inch exceeds the minimum requirement and while structurally adequate, the CBC prescribes 5/8 inch as the minimum. Knowing the minimum code requirement — not just a conservative guess — is what is tested.
Memory Technique
Think '5/8 for the Golden State' — California (SDC D) gets the 5/8-inch bolt. The standard half-inch bolt is fine for half the country, but California needs more.
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