Seismic hazard in Norte de Santander

What does it mean for design in Norte de Santander?

Municipalities in the high hazard zone. In reinforced concrete, the NSR-10 only accepts systems with special energy dissipation capacity (DES) in the high hazard zone, the most demanding detailing in the code: confinement of columns and joints, and strict drift control.

Municipalities in the intermediate hazard zone. In reinforced concrete, the intermediate hazard zone no longer allows minimum dissipation (DMI): the structure is designed with moderate (DMO) or special (DES) energy dissipation capacity, with more reinforcement detailing requirements.

Table A.2.3-2 of the NSR-10, of capitals, gives Cúcuta Aa = 0.35 and Av = 0.30; Appendix A-4 gives Aa = 0.35 and Av = 0.25. The code does not say which prevails: the conservative option is to design with the larger of each pair and agree on it from the start with the independent reviewer and the curaduría.

The municipality's value is only the starting point: the soil profile sets the coefficients Fa and Fv, and the occupancy group sets the importance factor. Work out the full spectrum with the NSR-10 design spectrum, or look up another municipality in the seismic hazard tool.

What the code requires in Cúcuta, with each city's soil and environment, is on its structural engineering page.