Parameters

1. Spectrum Angle : Is the angle of the applied seismic forces with respect to the orientation of the structure on plan view; measured anti-clockwise from global horizontal.  For example, if a rectangular building is modelled at a rotated angle, then the spectrum angle should be changed accordingly.
   

Analysis

1. Apply Accidental Eccentricity (5%) :  Check to apply
   

1. Damping Ratio : User input according to building type
   

1. Number of Vibration Modes to Consider :  User input (recommended value = 15)
   

ProtaStructure will check the number of modes automatically & issue a warning during analysis if cumulative mass participation is not satisfied.

1. Structural Usage or Type :  Static field that appears on the reports. User can write anything here.
   

Structural Irregularities

Irregularities in Plan

1. Torsional Irregularity : Automatically calculated
   

1. Existence if Re-entrant Corners : User to evaluate & check if exist
   

1. Diaphragm Discontinuity : User to evaluate & check if exist
   

1. Non parallel Axes of Structural Elements :  User to evaluate & check if exist
   

Irregularities in Elevation

1. Stiffness Irregularity : Automatically Detected

1. Nonuniform Mass Distribution : Automatically Detected
   

1. Lateral Strength Discontinuity – Weak Storey : Automatically Detected
   

1. Discontinuous Vertical Load Resisting Elements : User to evaluate & check if exist
   

1. Building with Setbacks : User to evaluate & check if exist
   

1. Inplane Discontinuity in Lateral Force-Resisting Member : User to evaluate & check if exist

Settings

The following are explanation of key inputs in “Settings” tab :

Post Analysis Checks

1. Check Relative InterStorey Drift :  Tick to perform check. Default drift limit is shown in the next input
   

1. Use user-defined interstorey drift limit ratio : Check to manually over-write the default ratio
   

1. Check Building Height :  Tick to perform check
   

1. Check Wall-Frame Interaction : User to decide
   

1. Check Second Order Effect : Tick to consider this effect using code based slenderness method
   
2. Check Strength Irregularity (Weak Storey) : Tick to check
3. Check Stiffness Irregularity (Soft Storey ) : Tick to check
   

Post Analysis Design Checks

1. Check Strong Column – Weak Beam :  User to decide. Columns & beams must be designed first before this check can be done.
   

1. Perform Joint Shear Check :  User to decide.
   

1. Check Minimum Member Dimensions : User to decide
   

1. Check Building Overturning : User to decide
   
1. Include Basements :  Include this option if basement is modelled. 
   

Response Spectrum Analysis

1. Check Cumulative Effective Mass Participation :  Tick to check 
   

1. Compare RSA Results with Equivalent Static Load : Tick to consider 
   

1. Use User-Defined RSA Scale Factor : Tick to manually over-ride automatically calculated factor
   

1. Results Sign Method for RSA :  Use "Signs of dominant mode" or "Absolute Value".  Refer this article : Results Sign Method for Response Spectrum Analysis 
   

Important Notes / Scope / Limitations :

1. Refer to “Post-analysis Checks Report” in “Reports” tab for seismic analysis results & clause compliance.
   

1. Refer to "Post-Analysis Design Checks Report" in the "Reports" tab for specific seismic design checks such as "Strong Column - Weak beam" check. 
   

1. Elastic and design spectra are automatically calculated.
   

1. Maximum period of vibration checks is automatically made.
   

1. Applicability of Equivalent Static Method is automatically checked.
   

1. RSA results is automatically compared  with Equivalent Static Load (if option is ticked in Settings tab).  A scaling factor will be automatically applied if required.
   

1. If there is a basement in the building, a two-stage approach is used to analyze the building. Basement and superstructure is analyzed separately in different load cases and the results are combined for the design. All these are done automatically (user input is not required).
   

1. Results for cracked and uncracked section analysis can be combined in same design combination.
   

1. For “Joint Shear Check” the stirrups (links) are not considered.
   

1. CQC (Complete Quadratic Combination) method is used to combine modal responses. This method is superior and preferable, compared to SRSS since SRSS is a special case of CQC. 
   

Please read this article Seismic Load - Basic Guide  on how to generate seismic load combination and check the results.