cost effects of increased seismic demand -

huangyhg

cost effects of increased seismic demand -
can anyone advise the cost penalty for construction of an industrial facility (up to three stories high) for a peak ground acceleration of 0.2g rather than 0.14g? the structure will be either a reinforced concrete or steelwork structure (built in the uk, but experience from us would help a lot). also, does anybody have any idea if it would require an upgrade in the plant specs (mainly hvac, electrical cabinets and similar).
thanks in advance,
about 15 years ago, i "bumped-up" the seismic requirement in the project design critera document for a new 500 mw electric generating station from the (then current) required ubc zone 2a (0.15g) to ubc zone 2b (0.20g). our design consultants hollered like a bunch of "stuck pigs" - but we made them stick to it. (this was not an arbitrary move on my part - seismic risk was being downplayed in our area at that time - temporarily, as time has proved).
after we had the consulting firm prepare & submit an estimate of the differential cost, they had to admit that the added cost was reasonable (less than 1% construction cost increase, based on memory).
here is a link that gives an opinion on a similar change (see the info starting on page 13 of the download)