A Glossary of Seismic Acronyms
[All references to Section numbers are from the 2005 AISC Seismic Provisions for Structural
Steel Buildings (ANSI/AISC 341-05)]
ABC (applicable building code). Building code under which the structure is designed.
AHJ (authority having jurisdiction). Organization, political subdivision, office or
individual charged with the responsibility of administering and enforcing the
provisions of this standard.
ASD (allowable strength design). Method of proportioning structural components such
that the allowable strength equals or exceeds the required strength of the
component under the action of the ASD load combinations.
BRBF (buckling-restrained braced frame). Diagonally braced frame satisfying the
requirements of Section 16 in which all members of the bracing system are
subjected primarily to axial forces and in which the limit state of compression
buckling of braces is precluded at forces and deformations corresponding to 2.0
times the design story drift.
C-CBF (composite special concentrically braced frame). Composite braced frame
meeting the requirements of Section 12.
C-EBF (composite eccentrically braced frame). Composite braced frame meeting the
requirements of Section 14.
C-IMF (composite intermediate moment frame). Composite moment frame meeting the
requirements of Section 10.
C-OBF (composite ordinary braced frame). Composite braced frame meeting the
requirements of Section 13.
C-OMF (composite ordinary moment frame). Composite moment frame meeting the
requirements of Section 11.
C-ORCW (ordinary reinforced concrete shear wall with structural steel elements).
Composite shear walls meeting the requirements of Section 15.
C-PRMF (composite partially restrained moment frame). Composite moment frame
meeting the requirements of Section 8.
C-SMF (composite special moment frame). Composite moment frame meeting the
requirements of Section 9.
C-SPW (composite steel plate shear wall). Wall consisting of steel plate with reinforced
concrete encasement on one or both sides that provides out-of-plane stiffening to
prevent buckling of the steel plate and meeting the requirements of Section 17.
C-SRCW (special reinforced concrete shear walls composite with structural steel
elements). Composite shear walls meeting the requirements of Section 16.
EBF (eccentrically braced frame). Diagonally braced frame meeting the requirements of
Section 15 that has at least one end of each bracing member connected to a beam a
short distance from another beam-to-brace connection or a beam-to-column
connection.
IMF (intermediate moment frame). Moment frame system that meets the requirements of
Section 10.
LAST (lowest anticipated service temperature). The lowest 1-hour average temperature
with a 100-year mean recurrence interval.
LRFD (load and resistance factor design). Method of proportioning structural
components such that the design strength equals or exceeds the required strength
of the component under the action of the LRFD load combinations.
OCBF (ordinary concentrically braced frame). Diagonally braced frame meeting the
requirements of Section 14 in which all members of the bracing system are
subjected primarily to axial forces.
OMF (ordinary moment frame). Moment frame system that meets the requirements of
Section 11.
SLRS (seismic load resisting system). Assembly of structural elements in the building that
resists seismic loads, including struts, collectors, chords, diaphragms and trusses.
SCBF (special concentrically braced frame). Diagonally braced frame meeting the
requirements of Section 13 in which all members of the bracing system are
subjected primarily to axial forces.
SMF (special moment frame). Moment frame system that meets the requirements of
Section 9.
SPSW (special plate shear wall). Plate shear wall system that meets the requirements of
Section 17.
STMF (special truss moment frame). Truss moment frame system that meets the requirements of Section 12.