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Introduction To Lateral Forces
Introduction To Lateral Forces
Lateral Forces
Typically considered to be those which
act parallel to the ground plane
May occur at many angles other than
perfectly horizontal
Generally considered to act
transversely to the primary structural
system
Take Note!
The larger the lateral forces are
(whether from wind or seismic forces),
the bigger the structural impact and
the more crucial it becomes for the
architect to consider lateral forces
from the earliest planning time!!
Building Construction
Illustrated, p. 3.10
Gantry Crane
Wind Loads
Wind is really a very complex
phenomena with a complex interaction
on a building structure
It is influenced greatly by local terrain
When contacting a building, it can
produce pressures and suction forces
on any surface of a building, plus
internal pressures that tend to balloon
the building outward
Wind Loads
Can be thought of against a building
like the way an airplane wing behaves
Wind Loads
Wind Loads
Similarly for a building:
Wind Loads
Wind Loads
Roof:
Wind Loads
wWind: Effects
wSliding
wOverturning
Wind:
Building
Codes
Seismic Loads
Motion originates outside of a building
Effect is internal (c.f., external wind)
Forces generated by inertia of building
mass as ground moves below the
structure Building Motion (Reaction)
Seismic Loads
Generates forces in direct proportion
to the building's mass and stiffness
A massless building would in fact have
no seismic forces with at all!
By altering the building's stiffness, a
substantial change to seismic force is
possible (basis for some design
approaches)
Wind
Load
In-plane
Diaphragm Action
Edward Allen, Architects Studio Companion
Triangulation
(Vertical Truss)
Moment Resistant
Joints
Vertical Support
Structural Patterns
Daniel Schodek, Structures
Diagonal
Cross
Bracing:
These
slender rod
bracing
members can
take only
tension, while
the heavier
members on
the opposite
corner can
work in both
tension and
compression.
Inverted K-Bracing:
The members in this
arrangement always resist
compression since they provide
a mid-span support for attached
beams. Lateral loads will either
add or subtract from that
compressive force depending
on the direction.
Diagonal Bracing:
This arrangement with heavy
diagonal members is capable of
resisting both tension and
compression.