Building Code Glossary
Design Earthquake Ground Motion: Building Code Definition
How the IBC 2009 define design earthquake ground motion, where the wording differs, and which chapters depend on the term.
On this page
Last updated September 7, 2026 · Definitions quoted from the 2009 International Codes as transcribed in this site's building-codes collection, with the source chapter linked for each quotation. Usage counts are computed over the chapters hosted here, one copy per code. The [ICC code library](https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes) publishes the current model text and the [ICC adoption maps](https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/code-adoption-maps/) show which edition a jurisdiction has adopted; those sources control.
Direct answer
Design earthquake ground motion is a defined term in the International Building Code (IBC) 2009, in Structural Design. The code's own words are: “The earthquake ground motion that buildings and structures are specifically proportioned to resist in Section 1613.” No other I-Code in this corpus defines it, so the IBC 2009 definition is the one to work from. The term is used in 4 chapters of this corpus, most often in Soils and Foundations (IBC 2009), Structural Design (IBC 2009), Definitions (IBC 2009). These pages transcribe the 2009 model text; verify the definition against the edition and amendments your authority having jurisdiction has adopted. Record the jurisdiction, the adopted edition, the application date and any local amendment that rewrites the definition before you use it on a live project, because a term redefined by amendment changes every requirement that depends on it.
Content and cited inputs reviewed by Scott Barrington, Harth founder and architectural technology specialist · Published 2026-09-07 · Updated 2026-09-07.
What does this term mean?
Design Earthquake Ground Motion — IBC 2009, Structural Design:
The earthquake ground motion that buildings and structures are specifically proportioned to resist in Section 1613.
What must be verified before using this guidance?
Design Earthquake Ground Motion is defined once in this corpus, in the Structural Design chapter of the International Building Code (IBC) 2009:
The earthquake ground motion that buildings and structures are specifically proportioned to resist in Section 1613.
Where design earthquake ground motion is used in the code
The term appears in 4 chapters of the 2009 I-Codes hosted here. The chapters that lean on it hardest are the ones to read next.
| Chapter | Code | Mentions |
|---|---|---|
| Soils and Foundations | IBC 2009 | 2 |
| Structural Design | IBC 2009 | 2 |
| Definitions | IBC 2009 | 1 |
| Definitions | IRC 2009 | 1 |
Design Earthquake Ground Motion: what to open, and in what order
Every row is a document this term depends on. The ICC code library and the ICC adoption maps cover the middle rows.
| Check | Where | Confirmed |
|---|---|---|
| Read the definition in the adopted IBC | Structural Design | |
| Re-check the requirement that uses it | Soils and Foundations (IBC 2009) | |
| Re-check the requirement that uses it | Structural Design (IBC 2009) | |
| Re-check the requirement that uses it | Definitions (IBC 2009) | |
| Re-check the requirement that uses it | Definitions (IRC 2009) | |
| Local amendment to any of the above | Jurisdiction's amendment list |
A research aid, not a code determination. The authority having jurisdiction decides which edition and which amendments apply.
Where can you explore related guidance?
- Explore all glossary guidance
- Design Flood Elevation: Building Code Definition
- Loads: Building Code Definition
- Seismic Design Category: Building Code Definition
- Design Flood: Building Code Definition
Sources and method
Definitions quoted from the 2009 International Codes as transcribed in this site's building-codes collection, with the source chapter linked for each quotation. Usage counts are computed over the chapters hosted here, one copy per code. The ICC code library publishes the current model text and the ICC adoption maps show which edition a jurisdiction has adopted; those sources control.
Source links
Frequently asked questions
What is the code definition of design earthquake ground motion?
The International Building Code (IBC) 2009 defines it in Structural Design as: “The earthquake ground motion that buildings and structures are specifically proportioned to resist in Section 1613.” The 2009 model text is reproduced here; the definition that binds your project is the one in the edition your jurisdiction has adopted, as amended locally.
Which parts of the code depend on design earthquake ground motion?
In this corpus the term is used across 4 chapters, led by Soils and Foundations in the IBC 2009. Those are the sections whose scope moves if the definition is amended locally, so read them together with Chapter 2 rather than on their own.
What does seismic design category C mean?
Seismic Design Category is a separate defined term. The IBC 2009 defines it as: “A classification assigned to a structure based on its occupancy category and the severity of the design earthquake ground motion at the site.” That is not the same as design earthquake ground motion, which the IBC 2009 defines as “The earthquake ground motion that buildings and structures are specifically proportioned to resist in Section 1613.” — read both before applying either, and confirm the wording in the edition your jurisdiction has adopted.
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