Expert/source verification requiredEdition-dependent or normative details must be confirmed against the adopted standard and National Annex before project use.
Behaviour factor qDuctility classesSystem influenceDetailing obligationsLimitations
Learning objectives
In this lesson
- Select q after system and ductility strategy.
- Document every condition supporting q.
Engineering explanation
The behaviour factor reflects expected inelastic behaviour, redundancy, overstrength and ductility provisions within a prescribed framework. Its permitted value depends on the adopted edition, structural system, regularity, ductility class and National Annex. Reducing analysis forces does not remove physical demand; it shifts reliance toward deformation capacity, hierarchy and detailing. An unjustified q can understate action while the built structure lacks the assumed mechanism.
Key takeaways
What to carry forward
- Select q after system and ductility strategy.
- Document every condition supporting q.
- Never transfer q across editions or jurisdictions.