Shaken, Not Broken: Seismic Standards for Critical Onsite Tanks

Presenter: Nate Deibler, PE, P.Eng

As earthquakes become more frequent and intense around the world, owners are focusing on what it will take to keep their buildings operational and protected after an event. We will review these requirements for different types of structures and focus on how they relate to data centers. Most data centers are Risk Category II, but engineers designate the non-structural components as Risk Category IV. This leaves room for interpretation of the code.

Most tanks can be certified on a site-specific basis via analysis. This is helpful, but pre-certification via shake testing may be practical for standardized models. We will go through the requirements for analysis and shake testing options. We will also discuss the differences between OSHPD and IBC pre-certifications. 

We will also review the changes coming to the force and displacement requirements for these anchorage in IBC 2024 that will be adopted in January 2025 in several states.