Chapter 2: Lateral Force Resisting Structural Systems in Building Structures

2.1 Introduction
All structures should be provided with lateral force resisting systems. The most commonly used lateral
force resisting systems are:
a) Frame systems (frames with rigid joints)
b) Shear-wall systems (RC walls, RC masonry walls)
c) Structural-steel bracing frame systems
d) Dual systems (walls + frames or Steel-bracing frame + RC frame):
a) Frame systems: - a structural system made up of moment resisting frame providing support for both
vertical and lateral loadings. The moment resisting frame provides resistance to lateral loads primarily by
flexural action of the beam and column members.
b) Shear-wall systems: - a structural system made up of shear-walls with vertical load frame. The
resistance to lateral load is provided by shear-wall while the vertical loads are resisted by vertical load
frame. Even though all lateral forces are resisted by shear-walls, the vertical load frame provides a
nominal line of defense to lateral loading. Vertical load frame also used to tie the building together and
redistribute the lateral force to undamaged elements of the lateral force resisting system.
c) Structural-steel bracing systems: - it is similar to shear-wall system; and is made up of structural-steel
bracing frame with vertical load frame. The resistance to lateral load is provided by steel bracing frame
while the vertical loads are resisted by vertical load frame.
d) Dual systems: - a structural system made up of combination of frame and shear-wall. Frame providing
resistance to vertical loads and a portion of lateral loads while shear-wall provides resistance for the
remaining lateral loads. The portion of lateral loads to be resisted by frame is obtained in accordance with
the relative stiffness considering the interaction of shear-walls and frame as a single system.
Rigid floor-diaphragms are responsible for transferring lateral forces through lateral force resisting
systems safely to the foundation.

2.2 Shear-wall Systems

Lateral forces of building are resisted by system of shear-walls only while the vertical loads are resisted
by vertical load frame.
Stable Arrangements of Shear-walls
The following conditions must be observed in stable arrangement of shear-walls:
1. Stability: the shear-walls must be arranged in such a way that the system response is stable for any
arbitrary lateral forces. To fulfill this condition, the following requirements must be meet:
• There must be a minimum of three shear-walls
• The axis of the shear-walls should not intersect at a point
• All of the three shear-walls should not be parallel
The purpose of these requirement is to ensure that each of these shear-walls be in different vertical
planes and spaced adequately throughout the plan or on the perimeter of the building in such a way that
the premature failure of the single shear-wall would not lead to excessive inelastic torsion.
Little resistance
S Can’t support to against Hx
Hx torsional moment Hx

a) Stable arrangement of walls b) Unstable arrangement of walls

1 Chapter 2: Lateral Force Resisting Structural System

2. Avoiding high torsion in rigid floor diaphragms: Eccentric arrangement of walls is the most
frequent cause of collapse during earthquake. Therefore, the walls are to be arranged in plan so that
little or “no” torsion results in the floor-diaphragm. To reduce torsion, additional shear-wall is provided
that reduces eccentricity of lateral forces resulting torsion.

Hx S Hx
T = H x . yH
yH
Hx
a) Little or no torsion S
b) High torsion

Additional shear wall

S S

e = xH
e = xH Hy Hy
Severe rotation as result Additional shear wall change
of large torsion position of center of stiffness

2.3 Distribution of Story-shear among the walls

Story-shear: is defined as the sum of the lateral forces above that story or total shear force of given story
caused by lateral forces. These story shears are distributed between the shear-walls depending on the
determinacy of walls system.
1. Statically Determinate Walls System
• It is walls system made up of three non-concurrent and non-parallel walls that support the story-shear.
Conditions of equilibrium are sufficient to determine the distribution of story-shear among the walls as
illustrated by example given below. y
Given: Story-shear V x =100kN passing through origin 10 m 8m
Required: Distribute the story-shear among the walls V y3
V y1 3
Solution
The story-shear and the forces in the walls are 1
statically in equilibrium. x
V x = 100 kN
From [∑ Fx = 0 ] → Vx2=100kN and 5m
2
From [∑ M z = 0 ] → Vx2*(5) +Vy3*(8) -Vy1*(10) = 0 Vx2
→ 100*(5) +8Vy3 -10Vy1 = 0
→ 500 + 8Vy3 -10Vy1 = 0 (1)
From [∑ y F = 0 ] and since x has no components in the y-direction,
V
→ Vy1 +Vy3= 0 (2)
Solving simultaneously Eq.(1) and Eq.(2) for unknowns,
→ Vy3= -500/18= -27.78kN and Vy1=500/18=27.78kN
Note: The walls are connected with each other by means of the rigid diaphragm, i.e RC slabs.

2 Chapter 2: Lateral Force Resisting Structural System

2. Statically Indeterminate Walls System
• There are more than three walls that support the story-shear. Additional compatibility conditions are to
be considered to determine all shear wall forces.
Let I xi = Moment of inertia of wall “i” with respect to x-axis
I yi = Moment of inertia of wall “i” with respect to y-axis
xi , yi = Distances of the shear center of wall “i” from origin of chosen coordinate system
xi , yi = Distances of the shear center of wall “i” from center of walls system
Consider a rigid floor diaphragm with shear walls system as shown below.
y

1 E= Chosen origin of axis

a = 6m S 6
ys M= Mass center (relevance in seismic analysis)
yH 2 E S= Center of stiffness
x
Hx M
3
a = 6m 4 5

Given: the wall system consisting of six walls with rectangular section and thickness “t”
Required: Determine the center of stiffness
Solution
A shear force, say “ V x ” in the x-direction through the center of stiffness “S” results in translation and
no rotation. This means the same amount of deflection for all walls in the x-direction.
When translation occur the shear force is distributed in each wall (both flexible and stiff walls), but the
stiffer wall support more shear force.
→ V x is distributed among the walls according to their stiffness (rigidities), and thus according to
moments of inertias of the walls with respect to y-axis.
Therefore, story-shear, “ V x ” is distributed to each wall according to the moment of inertias of wall with
respect to y-axis by
I y1 I y2 I yi
V x1 = V x . , V x2 = V x . , -----, V xi = V x .
I yi I yi I yi

The center of stiffness coincides with the centroid of the distributed forces (the resultant of the
distributed forces in the walls pass through the center of stiffness). Thus, location of “ V x ” with respect
to E in y-axis direction is obtained by

V .  I
I yi
 (I . y )
. ( yi )

x
V .( y )
xi i yi yi i
ys = = =
V V
xi xi I yi

Likewise, location of “ V y ” with respect to E in x-axis direction is obtained by

xs =
 (I . x )
xi i

I xi

For example shear-wall system, the moments of inertias of the walls are
t . (2a ) 3 t .a3
I y1 = I x 6 = , I x 2 = I x3 = I y 4 = I y 5 =
12 12
I x1 = I y 2 = I y3 = I x 4 = I x5 = I y 6 = 0

3 Chapter 2: Lateral Force Resisting Structural System

 -To determine location of center of stiffness
3
t. ( 2a ) 3 t. a 4
 (I xi . x i ) = I x 2 . (−a) + I x3 . (−3a) + I x6 . (3a) = t. a
12
. ( −4 a ) +
12
. (3a ) = 20
12
3 3
t. a 3

2t. a t. ( 2a )
I xi = I x 2 + I x 3 + I x 6 = + = 10
12 12 12

( ) t.(2a ) 3 2t. a 3 t. a 4
I yi . y i = I y1 . (2a ) + I y 4 . (−2a ) + I y 5 . (−2a ) = . ( 2a ) + . (−2a ) = 12
12 12 12
t. (2a ) 3 2t. a 3 t. a 3
 I yi = I y1 + I y 4 + I y 5 =
12
+
12
= 10
12
y
Then, location of center of stiffness V y6
V x1
xs =
 (I . x ) = 20 t. a
xi i
4
12
= 2a
1
S
I 10 t. axi
3
12
2 E
Vx
TxS
6 ys

ys =
 (I . y ) = 12 t. a
yi i
4
12
= 1 .2 a
Vx TxE x
I 10 t. ayi
3
12
3
Vy2

V y3 4 Vx4 5 V x5

The story-shear, “ V x ”, at the center of stiffness results a uniform translation of the rigid slabs and walls
in x-direction. Therefore, the story-shear is distributed according to the moments of inertias of walls as
discussed before.

The torsional moment, “ T s ”, results the rotation of the rigid slab-diaphragm about the center of
stiffness. It will be absorbed up by all the walls. From [∑ M z = 0 ]
Ts = (Vx1. y1 + Vx 2 . y 2 + ...) + V y1. x1 + V y 2 . x2 + ... ( )
where V1x, V2x, …, and V1y, V2y, … are forces due to torsion
Note: The deflections of the walls are proportional to y1, y2 , ...., and x1, x2 , .... in addition to the
stiffness of wall.
Thus, the shear forces V1x, V2x, …, and V1y, V2y, … in the walls as result of torsional moment, “ T s ”, are
proportional to the moment of inertia and the lever-arm. Therefore, force in each wall due to torsional
moment, “Ts” is expressed by
V x1 = k . I y1 . y1 , V x 2 = k . I y 2 . y 2 , ...,
and, V y1 = k . I x1 . x1 , V y 2 = k . I x 2 . x 2 , ...,
where k = proportionality constant
Substituting these forces into equation of torsional moment
( ) (
Ts = k. I y1 . y12 + k. I y 2 . y 22 + ... + k. I x1 . x12 + k. I x2 . x22 + ... = k. )  (I 2
yi . y i + I xi . xi2 )
Rearranging
Ts
k=
 (I 2
yi . yi + I xi . xi2 )
Substituting “k” into equation above, forces in the individual walls due to torsion is obtained by
I yi . yi
Vxi = Ts .
 (I 2
yi . yi + I xi . xi2 )
I xi . x i
V yi = Ts .
 (I yi . y i2 + I xi . x i2 )

4 Chapter 2: Lateral Force Resisting Structural System

 Thus, the total force in the wall is resulting from Vx and Ts acting at the center of stiffness, “S” is:
I yi I yi . y i
V xi = V x . + Ts .
I yi  (I 2
yi . y i + I xi . x i2 )
I xi I xi . x i
V yi = V y . + Ts .
I xi  (I yi . y i2 + I xi . x i2 )
 Location of center of mass of rigid floor diaphragm from assumed reference point is obtained from
principle of moment by

xm =
 (W . x )
i i
and ym =
 (W . y )
i i

W i W i

Given: Consider the same rigid floor diaphragm with shear walls system consisting of six walls with
rectangular section and thickness “t” as given earlier for the following data.
Story shear V x = 100 kN
y H =1.2m → TxE =100  1.2 =120kN − m
a=6.0m, t=0.2m
x s = 2.0a , y s =1.2a (as determined before)
Required: To distribute the story shear among walls

Solution
Determine T xS
TxS = TxE + 1.2a.V x = TxE + 1.2  6  100 = 120 + 720 = 840 kN − m
Then, the story shear distributed in each walls are obtained by
I yi I yi . y i I xi . x i
V xi = V x . + Ts . V yi = T s .
( )  (I )
&
I yi I yi . y i2 + I xi . x i2 yi . y i2 + I xi . x i2

Wall No. I xi I yi xi yi I xi . xi I yi . y i I xi . xi2 I yi . yi2 V xi V yi

1 0 28.8 -12 4.8 0 138.24 0 663.55 66.75 0

2 3.6 0 -18 -4.2 -64.8 0 1166.4 0 0 -6.21

3 3.6 0 -30 -16.2 -108.0 0 3240 0 0 -10.36

4 0 3.6 -15 -19.2 0 -69.12 0 1327.1 16.63 0

5 0 3.6 3 -19.2 0 -69.12 0 1327.1 16.63 0

6 28.8 0 6 -1.2 172.8 0 1036.8 0 0 16.57

Sum 36 36 5443.2 3317.76 100√ ok! 0√ ok!

 (I xi . xi
2
)
+ I yi . yi2 = 8760.96

5 Chapter 2: Lateral Force Resisting Structural System

Determination of Bending Moments in Individual Walls

• First story-shear for each walls are determined

• Then, these story-shears can be converted into loading for each story and we can obtain bending
moment diagram.

(a) Individual wall (b) Storey shear per wall (c) Loading (d) BM diagram

2.4 Frame Systems

Regarding the rules for stable arrangement of walls and avoiding large torsion are apply to the lateral
resisting members (columns) of frame system. One of disadvantage of frame system compared to wall
system is, frames are flexible and they are not stable for high rise building.

Distribution of Lateral Force (Strong Shear)

Distribution of lateral force of space rigid frame by hand calculation using “D-value” and other methods
were common before. While the instruction helps to add insight about the response of frames under lateral
forces, the procedure is rather outdated and serves no practical purpose in present day design offices.
Therefore, the distribution lateral force in frame system should be based of space frame analysis.

Exercise: -building whose lateral force resisting system consists of space rigid frame subjected to
earthquake loadings shown below.
• G+2 building
• Beam dimension (b/h = 300/400mm)
• Column dimension (b/h = 300/300mm)
• Floor height =3m
• Center of mass (6.0/4.0m)
y

1 100kN

4m 75kN
2
25kN
4m
3 x
6m 6m
PLAN

6 Chapter 2: Lateral Force Resisting Structural System

2.5 Dual Systems (Frame and shear-walls systems)
The response of such lateral force resisting system is not any more that of cantilever (relevant for walls)
or frame because of the interaction between the wall and frame. The distribution of lateral loads to be
resisted by frame and shear-walls are obtained in accordance with the relative stiffness of frame and walls
considering the interaction of shear-walls and frame as a single system.

Exercise: Five story building with the following horizontal forces through the mass center at each floor
level in the north-south direction.
• Beam dimension (b/h = 300/400mm)
• Column dimension (b/h = 300/300mm) 200kN
• Wall dimension ( t l = 0.3m 6m )
160kN
N 120kN
4m

80kN
E 4m
40kN
6m 6m 6m
PLAN

Exercise problem

A building is stabilized by two walls as shown in the figure. The storey shear at a given floor is 100kN in
the x-direction associated with a counter clockwise torsional moment MT=100kN-m acting at the center
of stiffness. Distribute the action effect among the different walls.

7 Chapter 2: Lateral Force Resisting Structural System