Section 1708 Structural Testing for Seismic Resistance

Testing and verification of masonry materials and assemblies prior to construction shall comply with the requirements of Sections 1708.1.1 through 1708.1.4, depending on the classification of the building or structure or nature of the occupancy, as defined by this code.

For masonry designed by Section 2109 or 2110 or by Chapter 5 or 7 of ACI 530/ASCE 5/TMS 402 in structures classified as Occupancy Category I, II or III, in accordance with Section 1604.5, certificates of compliance used in masonry construction shall be verified prior to construction.

The minimum testing and verification prior to construction for masonry designed by Section 2109 or 2110 or by Chapter 5 or 7 of ACI 530/ASCE 5/TMS 402 in structures classified as Occupancy Category IV, in accordance with Section 1604.5, shall comply with the requirements of Table 1708.1.2.

TABLE 1708.1.2 LEVEL 1 QUALITY ASSURANCE

MINIMUM TESTS AND SUBMITTALS

Certificates of compliance used in masonry construction.

Verification of f'm and f'AAC prior to construction, except where specifically exempted by this code.

The minimum testing and verification prior to construction for masonry designed by Section 2107 or 2108 or by chapters other than Chapter 5, 6 or 7 of ACI 530/ASCE 5/TMS 402 in structures classified as Occupancy Category I, II or III, in accordance with Section 1604.5, shall comply with Table 1708.1.2.

The minimum testing and verification prior to construction for masonry designed by Section 2107 or 2108 or by chapters other than Chapter 5, 6 or 7 of ACI 530/ASCE 5/TMS 402 in structures classified as Occupancy Category IV, in accordance with Section 1604.5, shall comply with Table 1708.1.4.

TABLE 1708.1.4 LEVEL 2 QUALITY ASSURANCE

MINIMUM TESTS AND SUBMITTALS

Certificates of compliance used in masonry construction.

Verification of f'm and f'AAC prior to construction and every 5,000 square feet during construction.

Verification of proportions of materials in mortar and grout as delivered to the site.

The tests specified in Sections 1708.3 through 1708.6 are required for the following:

1. The seismic-force-resisting systems in structures assigned to Seismic Design Category C, D, E or F, as determined in Section 1613.
2. Designated seismic systems in structures assigned to Seismic Design Category D, E or F.
3. Architectural, mechanical and electrical components in structures assigned to Seismic Design Category C, D, E or F that are required in Section 1708.5.

Certified mill test reports shall be provided for each shipment of reinforcing steel used to resist flexural, shear and axial forces in reinforced concrete intermediate frames, special moment frames and boundary elements of special reinforced concrete or reinforced masonry shear walls. Where ASTM A 615 reinforcing steel is used to resist earthquake-induced flexural and axial forces in special moment frames and in wall boundary elements of shear walls in structures assigned to Seismic Design Category D, E or F, as determined in Section 1613, the testing requirements of ACI 318 shall be met. Where ASTM A 615 reinforcing steel is to be welded, chemical tests shall be performed to determine weldability in accordance with Section 3.5.2 of ACI 318.

The testing contained in the quality assurance plan shall be as required by AISC 341 and the additional requirements herein. The acceptance criteria for nondestructive testing shall be as required in AWS D1.1 as specified by the registered design professional.

Base metal thicker than 1.5 inches (38 mm), where subject to through-thickness weld shrinkage strains, shall be ultrasonically tested for discontinuities behind and adjacent to such welds after joint completion. Any material discontinuities shall be accepted or rejected on the basis of ASTM A 435 or ASTM A 898 (Level 1 criteria) and criteria as established by the registered design professional(s) in responsible charge and the construction documents.

The registered design professional in responsible charge shall state the applicable seismic qualification requirements for designated seismic systems on the construction documents. Each manufacturer of designated seismic system components shall test or analyze the component and its mounting system or anchorage and submit a certificate of compliance for review and acceptance by the registered design professional in responsible charge of the design of the designated seismic system and for approval by the code enforcement official. Qualification shall be by an actual test on a shake table, by three-dimensional shock tests, by an analytical method using dynamic characteristics and forces, by the use of experience data (i.e., historical data demonstrating acceptable seismic performance) or by a more rigorous analysis providing for equivalent safety.

For required system tests, see Section 17.8 of ASCE 7.