BRACED OR UNBRACED FRAME

 Alternative approach: use concept of stability index, Q

Σ𝑃Δ
Column braced if 𝑄=
Σ𝑉ℎ
< 0.05

 ∑P = ∑floor ultimate vertical loads

 Δ = interstorey drift
 ∑V = ∑ultimate shear at the storey
 h = storey height
EXAMPLE- Stability index
The plan of a 10 storey building is shown, with total height=37.5m
(inter-storey height, h=3.75m). fy=460MPa, fcu=37MPa.
Determine if the ground floor columns are braced or unbraced.
Column=300x300mm
Beam=300x500mm

Wind pressure=0.75kPa
Building density = 3.4kN/m3

2@7m
=14m

8@5m=40m
Lateral load comb: 1.2𝐺𝑘 + 1.2𝑄𝑘 + 1.2𝑊𝑘
∑P ∑V

Vertical load, ∑P building density

𝐺𝑘 /𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦 = 0.8 × 3.4𝑘𝑁/𝑚3 × 40𝑚 × 14𝑚 × 3.75𝑚 = 5712𝑘𝑁

80% due to DL story height

𝐺𝑘 /𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦 = 0.2 × 3.4𝑘𝑁/𝑚3 × 40𝑚 × 14𝑚 × 3.75𝑚 = 1428𝑘𝑁

20% due to DL

Σ𝑃 = 1.2𝐺𝑘 + 1.2𝑄𝑘 = 1.2 5712 + 1428 𝑘𝑁/𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦 × 9𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦

Σ𝑃 = 77112𝑘𝑁
Lateral load comb: 1.2𝐺𝑘 + 1.2𝑄𝑘 + 1.2𝑊𝑘
∑P ∑V

Wind load, ∑V
wind pressure

Σ𝑉 = 1.2𝑊𝑘 = 1.2 0.75𝑘𝑁/𝑚2 × 40𝑚 × 3.75𝑚/𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦 × 9𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦

Σ𝑉 = 1215𝑘𝑁 windward width

Horizontal displacement @ 1st story due to wind, Δ

12𝐸 12 27.6𝑥106
𝐺𝐴𝑣 = = = 0.268𝑥106 𝑘𝑁
1 1 1 1
ℎ 𝐺+𝐶 3.75 +
8.04𝑥10−3 4.86𝑥10−3

𝑉𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑟 = 0.75𝑘𝑁/𝑚2 × 40𝑚 × 10 × 3.75𝑚 = 1125𝑘𝑁

𝑉𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑟 ℎ 1125 × 3.75

Δ1 = = = 0.016𝑚
𝐺𝐴 0.268𝑥106

Stability index, Q for ground floor column

Σ𝑃Δ 77112 × 0.016

𝑄= = = 0.27 > 0.05
Σ𝑉ℎ 1215 × 3.75