NCh2369:2025 – A Key Update for Seismic Engineering in Chile

At Ingek, we are excited to announce the official publication of the updated Chilean standard NCh2369:2025, which governs the seismic design of industrial structures and facilities. This update represents a significant milestone in the evolution of engineering codes in Chile, reflecting advancements in seismic knowledge, structural technologies, and the growing complexity of industrial operations.

Industrial Structure

What is NCh2369 and why is it so important?

NCh2369 defines the requirements for the seismic design of industrial structures, especially those not fully covered under NCh433. Unlike residential or office buildings, industrial facilities often have irregular geometries, concentrated masses, and critical processes, all of which demand specialized seismic considerations.

This standard is essential to ensure operational continuity, personnel safety, and environmental protection—particularly in sectors such as mining, energy, manufacturing, and chemicals.

What’s new in the 2025 version?

This updated standard is the result of a comprehensive process that included a public consultation, technical committee meetings, and contributions from professionals in the industrial sector, trade associations (AICE, ACHISINA, ICHA), academic institutions, and independent experts. The outcome: a consensus-based, high-level technical document.

Technical scope:

• NCh2369:2025 applies to the seismic design of both light and heavy industrial facilities, including structures, ducts, piping systems, mechanical and electrical equipment, and their anchors.

• Its coverage extends to warehouses, racks, as well as maritime infrastructure and industrial port structures.

Key updates:

• Explicit seismic design spectra are now provided for soil types D and E, eliminating the need for site-specific spectra in many cases.

• A new Soil Type F category has been introduced, with clear technical criteria for identification and treatment, including cases with soil improvement.

• The minimum and maximum base shear forces have been revised, and a new effective structural response modification factor (R₁) has been added, aligning with international best practices.

• Specific provisions have been incorporated for racks, lightweight industrial buildings, maritime structures, and industrial storage systems.

• Seismic load combinations have been updated to better reflect both national experience and international codes, improving coordination between static, dynamic, and accidental loads.

• The primary design goal remains operational continuity, with performance levels tailored to different industrial needs.

• More precise guidance is now available for modal dynamic analysis, time-history methods, and nonlinear evaluations.

• The standard now includes explicit guidance for soil-structure interaction, damping factors, and vertical seismic analysis where applicable.

• Clear definitions for the seismic design of mounted equipment, including anchorage, piping systems, instrumentation, and electrical systems, and how they integrate with the primary structure.

NCh2369:2025 "Seismic design of industrial structures and facilities"

What does this mean for your industrial project?

NCh2369:2025 is now the technically valid version of the standard. For any industrial project in Chile—including mining, energy, manufacturing, or port infrastructure—this is now the mandatory reference for seismic design.

💡Ingek Has Already Implemented NCh2369:2025

At Ingek, we don’t just keep up with regulatory changes—we stay ahead of them. Since its official release, our team has already studied, analyzed, and started applying NCh2369:2025 in our structural engineering projects.

We’re fully prepared to work with:

• Updated seismic spectra based on the latest soil classifications (including Soil Type F),

• Advanced dynamic analysis methods (modal spectral, time-history, and nonlinear),

• Anchoring and seismic supports for equipment, piping, and critical systems,

• Designs focused on maintaining operational continuity, not just structural integrity.

🔎 If you're starting a new project or updating an existing one, Ingek has the expertise, technology, and code knowledge to deliver solutions that meet the highest standards of safety, performance, and compliance.

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Note: This article provides general information and does not replace professional consultation with a licensed structural engineer.

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