A planar model for the static and dynamic analysis of asymmetric building structures

Abstract

A new planar model for the static and dynamic computer analysis of building structures is presented. The model is general in its application, and can be applied to buildings that are asymmetric on plan, and that may consist of a combination of orthogonally arranged intersecting bents of any type, including shear walls, coupled walls, braced frames and moment resisting frames. The formulation of the model may be described as a folding down of the bents of a building into a single horizontal plane, and connecting them by rigid links so that their relative magnitudes of displacement in the horizontal plane are the same as their slab constrained displacements in the original structure. No transformations of the bent or member properties are required before carrying out the two-dimensional analysis, and the resulting displacements and actions are applicable to the original structure directly, also without transformation. The results for displacements, actions, and periods of vibration compare very closely with those from three-dimensional structural analyses.