A Design-Oriented Approach to Strength Distribution in Single-Story Asymmetric Systems with Elements Having Strength-Dependent Stiffness

Abstract

Recent studies have pointed out that the stiffness and strength of many lateral force-resisting elements (LFRE) are dependent parameters. This paper examines the implication of this finding in the distribution of design strength among LFRE. It is shown here that in order to minimize torsional response, one should use a strength/stiffness distribution combination that leads to the location of the center of strength, CV, and the center of stiffness, CR, on opposite sides of the center of mass, CM. A design-oriented strength-allocation procedure to arrive at such strength and stiffness distributions is presented. Its effectiveness in minimizing torsional response is demonstrated through comparison of seismic performance of structures having strength allocated on the basis of the proposed procedure with those following current UBC and EC8 torsional provisions.