ICC Structural Codes 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which lateral force-resisting system uses diagonal members to form triangulated frames that resist horizontal loads through axial forces?
- Moment-resisting frame
- Shear wall system
- Braced frame system (Correct answer)
- Cantilever column system
Correct answer: Braced frame system
Braced frame systems use diagonal members to create triangulated configurations, resisting lateral forces primarily through axial tension and compression rather than through bending.
Question 2: What is the primary structural function of a shear wall?
- Supporting vertical gravity loads only
- Resisting lateral forces such as wind and seismic loads (Correct answer)
- Providing fire-rated separation between occupancies
- Reducing roof snow accumulation through thermal transfer
Correct answer: Resisting lateral forces such as wind and seismic loads
Shear walls are vertical planar structural elements designed to resist lateral forces (wind and seismic), transferring those forces through floor diaphragms to the foundation.
Question 3: Under IBC and ASCE 7, what does 'story drift' measure in a building subjected to lateral loads?
- The settlement of soil beneath the foundation over time
- The accumulation of debris between adjacent roof sections
- The relative horizontal displacement between adjacent floor levels under lateral loading (Correct answer)
- The vertical deflection of a floor system under live load
Correct answer: The relative horizontal displacement between adjacent floor levels under lateral loading
Story drift is the horizontal displacement of one floor level relative to the floor directly below it when the building is subjected to wind or seismic lateral forces.
Question 4: What type of foundation system transfers building loads through weak surface soils down to competent bearing strata or bedrock at significant depth?
- Spread footing foundation
- Mat or raft foundation
- Grade beam foundation
- Deep pile foundation (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Deep pile foundation
Deep pile foundations penetrate through weak or compressible soils to transfer structural loads by end bearing on rock or through skin friction in deeper competent material.
Question 5: Which material design standard does the IBC reference for the structural design of reinforced concrete members?
- ACI 318 (Correct answer)
- AISC 360
- NDS (AWC)
- AWS D1.1
Correct answer: ACI 318
ACI 318 'Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete' is the standard referenced by the IBC for the design of reinforced concrete structural members.
Question 6: Under IBC seismic provisions, which condition defines a 'soft story' vertical structural irregularity?
- A story with floor-to-ceiling heights exceeding 15 feet
- A story whose lateral stiffness is less than 70% of the story above it (Correct answer)
- A story without a required fire suppression system
- A story used exclusively for parking or mechanical equipment
Correct answer: A story whose lateral stiffness is less than 70% of the story above it
A soft story irregularity exists when a story's lateral stiffness is less than 70% of the stiffness of the story above, creating a dangerous concentration of seismic deformation demand at that level.
Question 7: What is the structural purpose of a continuous 'load path' in a building?
- The designated route for construction workers during building erection
- The sequence of required building code inspections during construction
- The continuous structural connection through which loads transfer from their point of application to the foundation (Correct answer)
- The pathway for electrical distribution loads through a building's panel system
Correct answer: The continuous structural connection through which loads transfer from their point of application to the foundation
The load path is the uninterrupted structural connection through which applied loads (gravity, wind, seismic) are transferred from their origin through the structure down to the foundation and into the ground.
ICC Structural Codes 2
Which lateral force-resisting system uses diagonal members to form triangulated frames that resist horizontal loads through axial forces?