Distribution of Forces

in Lateral Load Resisting Systems

Part 2. Horizontal Distribution

and Torsion
IITGN Short Course
Gregory MacRae
Many slides from 2009 Myanmar Slides of Profs Jain and Rai

Reinforced Concrete Cast-in-Situ Slabs

The slab is subject to horizontal load.

t
b

Moment of inertial for bending in its own plane

tb3
( Very large quantity!!)
I
12

Practically, floor is infinitely stiff for bending

deformation in its own plane.

Sudhir K Jain

Floor Diaphragm Action

L

k
b

k/2

Plan of a one-storey building

with shear walls

Springs represent lateral

stiffness walls / frames

t = floor thickness; width of the beam representing floor diaphragm

b = floor width; depth of the beam representing floor diaphragm

L = span of the beam representing floor diaphragm

Sudhir K Jain

Floor Diaphragm Action

Lateral earthquake force, EL

Beam representing
floor diaphragm
Ibeam = tb3/12
K

K/2

Vertical load analogy for floor diaphragm action

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In-plane versus out-of-plane deformation of floor

In Plane Force

In Plane Deformation of
Floor

Out of Plane Force

Out of Plane Deformation

of Floor
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Floor Deformations

In-Plane Floor Deformation

Out of Plane Floor Deformation

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Rigid-body movements of a rigid floor diaphragm

Longitudinal
Translation

Translation in x-direction

Transverse
Translation

Translation in y-direction

Angle of
rotation

Resultant Translation

Rotation about z-axis

Combination of translations and rotation

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Example 1: Effect of floor diaphragm action

20 m

20 m

0.2k

8m

Slab thickness = 150 mm

E = 25,500 N/mm2
k = 2300 103 N/mm
I diaphragm

150 80003
12

6.4 1012 mm 4

I kN
1000

Force in Springs
1000 kN

Actual Analysis
EI

0.2k

Rigid Diaphragm 455 90

Tributary Area

440 120 440

455

250 500 250

Rigid Diaphragm
Assumption is generally
used for RC floors

Sudhir K Jain

Example 2: Centre of Mass

Given floor plan and lumped masses per unit area
Locate centre of mass of the floor
8m

5m

1000 kg/m2
700 kg/m2

10 m

Force in Springs
30 m
y

C
CM (A)

F
CM

B
Force
in Springs
CM (B)

CM (C)

z
X

Sudhir K Jain

Example 2: Centre of Mass

Locate centre of mass of segments A, B, C as:
CM(A) = (4.0, 7.5); CM (B) = (4.0, 2.5);
CM(C) = (19.0, 5.0)

Calculate centre of mass of floor x, y as

x
y

mi xi
mi
mi yi
mi

14.4 m
5.1 m

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Sudhir K Jain

Centre of Stiffness (of a Single-storey Building)

Point on the floor through which a lateral load should pass in
order to have only rigid body translation (i.e., no rigid body
rotation).
Use the above definition to locate the centre of stiffness.
Example:
1
2

1.5k

10m

0.5k

1.5k

1.2k
B
30 m
14 m
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Sudhir K Jain

Example 3. Centre of Stiffness

1.5k

0.5k

0.5k
1.5k
3k
Force equilibrium: F k
Moment equilibrium: F .x k 0 0.5k 14 1.5k 30 52k
x

52k
3k

17.3m

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Sudhir K Jain

Example 3. Centre of Stiffness

1.5k
1.2k

Force equilibrium: F 1.5k 1.2k 2.7k

Moment equilibrium: F . y 1.2k 0 1.5k 10
y

15k
2.7k

5.6m

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Lateral load distribution due to rigid floor diaphragm

(Symmetrical case no torsion)

Wall stiffness
k 1=k

k 2=0.3k

k 3=k

F
EL

Building Plan

F1

F3

F2

Wall stiffness k

Definition of lateral stiffness

EL

F1

k1 ,

F1

F2

F1

k1

F2
F3

k1
k2

k2 ,

F3

k3

EL
k3

EL; F2

k1

k2
k2

k3

EL; F3

k1

k3
k2

k3

EL
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Sudhir K Jain

Example 4: 200 kN applied along y-direction

y
4
1
10m k

2
0.5k

9m

k
3
1.2k

k
30 m

Locate centre of stiffness : (15m, 5m)

Locate centre of mass
: (15m, 5m)
Hence, no torsion

Wall 1, 2, 3 share load proportional to stiffness

F1

k 200
k 0.5k 1.2k

74.1kN ;

F3

1.2k 200
k 0.5k 1.2k

88.9kN

F2

0.5k 200
k 0.5k 1.2k

The centre of stiffness

(CS) is at the centre
of the building. If the
centre of mass is also
here then the building
undergoes translation
but no torsion

37.0kN

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Eccentric Systems
Load at centre of mass = Load at centre of stiffness + Twisting
moment about the centre of stiffness

CM

CS

e.EL
EL
EL

M = e.EL

EL

CM
EL
CS

CM
CS
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Sudhir K Jain

Analysis of force induced by twisting moment

(rigid floor diaphragm)
r1

r5

r3

r3

5
4

r5
1
r2

r4

CS

2
r2
r1

ki = Lateral stiffness of the ith element

ri = Perpendicular distance of the ith element from centre of stiffness
= Rotation of the floor diaphragm in its own plane

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Sudhir K Jain

Analysis of force induced by twisting moment

(rigid floor diaphragm)
Displacement of ith element, in its own plane,
due to rotation about centre stiffness

Resisting force in ith element

Restoring moment by force in ith element

Mi

By moment equilibrium

Force in the ith element

Fi

ri

Fi

ki ri

Fi ri

ki ri 2

Mt

ki ri2

ki ri
Mt
2
ki ri
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Sudhir K Jain

Example 5: Load distribution in eccentric system

y

17.33m
15m

1.5k
1
10m k

0.5k

1.5k

1.2k 5

CS

CM

5.56m 5m

ey=0.56m

14m
30 m
(a) Walls

ex=2.33m
(b) CS and

466kNm = 200kNx 2.33m

CM CS
200kN

CM
200kN

(c) Forces
1
F1

2
F2

CS

CM 200kN
5

Translational Forces

F4

F1

F3

2
F2
5

(d)

CM

CM

466kNm
CS

3
F3

F5

Torsional Forces

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Example 5: Load distribution in eccentric system

Analysis for 200 kN force acting at centre of stiffness
This force is resisted by walls 1, 2, and 3 in proportion to their
lateral stiffness. This gives:
F1

k 200
k 0.5k 1.5k

66.7 kN

F2

0.5k 200
k 0.5k 1.5k

33.3 kN

F3

1.5k 200
k 0.5k 1.5k

100 kN

Analysis for 466 kN-m moment acting on the diaphragm at CS:

The twisting moment of 466 kN-m is resisted by all the walls
(including walls 4 and 5).
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Sudhir K Jain

Example 5: Load distribution in eccentric

system
Wall k
i

ri

ki ri

ki ri 2

F1

ki ri
Mt
2
ki ri

17.33

17.33k

300.3k

13.2

0.5k

3.33

1.67k

5.5k

1.3

1.5k

12.67

19.00k

240.8k

14.4

1.5k

4.44

6.66k

29.6k

5.1

1.2k

5.56

6.67k

37.1k

5.1

613.3k

Sudhir K Jain

Example 5: Load distribution in eccentric

system
F4
1
F1

2
F2

CS

CM 200kN
5

4
F3

F1

CM

F2
5

Translational Forces

466kNm
CS

3
F3

F5

Torsional Forces

The total force resisted by the walls (= translational force + torsional force):
F1 = 66.7+13.2 = 79.9 kN
F2 = 33.3+1.3 = 34.6 kN
F3 = 100 14.4 = 85.6 kN
F4 = 5.1 kN = 5.1 kN
F5 = 5.1 kN = 5.1 KN

F4

1
F1

2
F2

CS

CM
5
F5

Total Forces

F3

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Multistorey Frames
(a) Without Torsion
F4

All frames must follow through

the same displacements at each
level.

F3

(CS)i
F2

(b) With Torsion

F1

All frame displacements at each

level must be compatible with
level translational and torsional
displacements.

(CS)i

(CS)i

None of the floors undergo

any rotation as forces pass
through the CS (i.e. CS =
CM)
Sudhir K Jain

Multistorey Frames
Important:
First calculate lateral load at different floors for
the entire building
Then distribute to different frames/walls as per
floor diaphragm behavior
Do Not
Calculate seismic design force directly for
individual frames of the building
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Sudhir K Jain

Multistorey Frames
A

y
3

Plan

Plan of a building with space frame: this may be thought of as

four 2-bay frames in the y-direction, and three 3-bay frames in the
25
x-direction
Sudhir K Jain

Example 6: 3-storey symmetric building

Missing column
Symmetric system
1

1000

400

100

C
Plan

Frames 1&3 same

Frame spacing same

Design force in y-direction

on the entire building

The requirement is:

(a) Displacement in frames 1, 2 & 3 are equal at floor 1.
(b) Displacement in frames 1, 2 & 3 are equal at floor 2.
(c) Displacement in frames 1, 2 & 3 are equal at floor 3.
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Sudhir K Jain

Example 6: 3-storey symmetric building

1000
400
100

3
2
1

12

15

11

14

10

13

5
9

Frame A

Frame B

18

21

17

20

16

19

29
23
28

Frame C

Impose the conditions

9

12

15

18

11

14

17

10

13

16

This will ensure proper load distribution.

27

Sudhir K Jain

Example 6: 3-storey symmetric building

Think of the translational problem as:
1000

400
100

Imaginary rigid
links
to ensure floor diaphragm action

Simple calculate the member forces

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2-D Frame with Rigid Lines

A

E
1
2

Direction of
Earthquake force

3
4
5
(a)

Link bars
Frame 1

Frame 2

Frame 3

Frame 4

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Sudhir K Jain

Approximate Lateral Load Distribution

Exact distribution requires computer analysis
How do we carry out approximate hand calculations for
buildings up to 4 stories without torsion?
Assume that all 2-D frames have same displacement profile
(shape only) for lateral loads
Now match roof displacement only
If assumption is exactly valid, analysis will still be exact

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Sudhir K Jain

Example 7. Approximate Distribution, No Torsion

1000

400
100
A

Design force in y-direction

on the entire building

Plan

1000

30

1000

15

1000

400

400

400

100

100

100

30

C
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Sudhir K Jain

Example 7. Approximate Distribution, No Torsion

1500
50 units
30
1500
100 units
15
1500
50 units
30

kA
kB
kC

ki

50 100 50

250

400

100

100

25

200 units

kA
f
k

50
f
200

0.25 f

fB

kB
f
k

100
f
200

0.50 f

fC

kC
f
k

50
f
200

0.25 f

fA

1000

Building

Frames A and C
500
200

50

Frame B
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Sudhir K Jain

Example 7. Approximate Distribution, No Torsion

(No Torsion Case)

1000
400
Entire Building

Plan

100
A

B
EQ

. 1000

. 1000

. 1000

. 400

. 400

. 400

. 100

. 100

. 100

A
B
Evaluate , , such that roof displacement is same
+ + = 1.0

C
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Sudhir K Jain

Example 8. Approximate Distribution, No Torsion

Illustration
Parts of building in double height
Symmetric
1

1000
700

400
50

Portion in double
height

Plan

Elevation

1000

700
400
50

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Sudhir K Jain

Further Simplification
For load distribution, relative lateral stiffness is
needed
1

k1

k2

1
2

k3

1
3

Relative terms only are required

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Sudhir K Jain

Approximate Lateral Load Stiffness of Frames

Number of approximate methods, e.g.,
McLeods Method
Computer methods for analysing frames

Caution
12EI
!!
3
L

Do not believe in storey stiffness as

This assumes beams are infinitely rigid!
Never happens

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Sudhir K Jain

Torsion in Multistory Buildings

Centre of stiffness at different floors

Number of definitions
Depends on usage
Implementation

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Sudhir K Jain

Centre of Stiffness for multistory buildings

F3

(CS)i
F3

F2

(CS)i
F2
F1
F1

(CS)i

None of the floors undergo

any rotation

Design lateral load profile

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Sudhir K Jain

Torsion in Multistory Buildings . . .

ex

.
CM
.CS
.
CM
.CS

ey

CM = centre of mass
CS = centre of stiffness

1.5ey

ELx

.
CM
.CS

ELy
1.5ex

The requirement on design eccentricity can be fulfilled by applying

earthquake force away from centre of mass by a distance 0.5 times the
calculated eccentricity, such that eccentricity between centre of stiffness and
the load becomes 1.5 times the calculated.
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Sudhir K Jain

Torsion in Multistory Buildings

Typical building code specifies design

eccentricity in terms of

Static eccentricity esj

Accidental eccentricity bj

bj

Q1
Q2

edj

esj

bj

esj

bj

is typically 1.5
is typically 0.05 to 1.0
(5% to 10% of plan dimension bj)

Q3
Q4

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Sudhir K Jain

Torsion in Multistory Buildings . . .

CM

CS

Goel and Chopra

(ASCE, Vol.119; No:10)

Can Conduct Analyses Directly Using Computer

Program with Rigid Diaphragm (e.g. ETABS)
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Sudhir K Jain

Approximation in Torsion Calculations

For buildings generally uniform with height

Centre of stiffness for different floors on the same
vertical line
Treatment similar to that for single storey building
Example: Earthquake force in X-direction
333

6m

287
141

3m

All columns 400x400

Exterior Beams 250x600
Interior Beams 300x450

48

4m
4.5m 4.5m 4.5m 4.5m

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Sudhir K Jain

Example 9. Approx. Analysis Torsion

Earthquake force in X-direction

333

A
6m
3m
4m

1 2 3 4 5

5
287

141

48

All columns 400x400

Exterior Beams 250x600
Interior Beams 300x450

4.5m 4.5m 4.5m 4.5m

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Sudhir K Jain

Example 9. Approx. Analysis Torsion

k

kA

kD

16,220 kN / m

kB

kC

10,390 kN / m

10,390 4 10,390 7 16,220 13

53,220
6.1m

Eccentricity e = 6.5 6.1 = 0.4m

Design eccentricity = 1.5e = 0.6m

(Dynamic eccentricity)

Design force profile V acting at CM

= Force profile V at CS
+ Twisting moment profile (Mt = 0.6m x V)
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Sudhir K Jain

Example 9. Approx. Analysis Torsion

Force profile V at CS
16,220
Frames A, D =
V
53,220
10,390
Frames B, C =
V
53,220

0.305V
0.195V

Twisting moment profile Mt

ki ri
M
t
2
k j rj
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Sudhir K Jain

Example 9. Approx. Analysis Torsion

Frame

ki
(x 103)
(kN/m)

ri

ki ri

(m)

(x 103)
(kN)

k i ri

(x 103)

k i ri
k i ri

Fd
(torsion)

Fd
(Direct)

FTO
(Total)

16.22

6.9

111.92

772.23

0.0293

0.0170V

0.304V

0.321V

10.39

0.9

9.35

8.42

0.0024

0.0014V

0.195V

0.196V

10.39

-2.1

-21.82

45.82

-0.0057

-0.0034V

0.195V

0.195V

16.22

-6.1

-98.94

603.55

-0.0259

-0.0156V

0.304V

0.288V

12.70

-9.0

-114.30

1028.70

-0.0299

-0.0180V

....

....

8.18

-4.5

-36.80

165.65

-0.0096

-0.0057V

....

....

8.18

4.5

36.80

165.65

0.0096

0.0057V

....

....

12.70

9.0

114.30

1028.70

0.0299

0.0018V

....

....

From frame
analysis with
point load at
roof

Dist from
CS

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Sudhir K Jain

Example 9. Approx. Analysis Torsion

Level

Total Level
Design Force
(kN)

Design Force For Frame

A
(kN)

B
(kN)

C
(kN)

D
(kN)

333

106.90

65.27

64.94

101.20

287

92.13

56.25

55.97

87.25

141

45.26

27.64

27.50

42.86

48

15.40

9.41

9.36

14.60

From beginning
of example

47

Sudhir K Jain

Thank you!!
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