Week 5 Handout
Week 5 Handout
Efficient Design
Modeling the diaphragms (flexible, semi-rigid, rigid)
Week 5 Handout
2
Week 5: Modeling Diaphragms and Shear Walls
◼ Diaphragms
◼ Basic concepts of floor and roof diaphragms
◼ Classification of diaphragms as flexible, rigid, or semirigid
◼ Determining gravity, wind, and seismic loads on diaphragms
◼ Modeling semirigid diaphragms using shell elements
◼ Influence of finite element mesh density on efficiency and accuracy of analysis
◼ Shear Walls
◼ Basic shear wall concepts
◼ Modeling shear walls using frame and/or shell elements
◼ Single planar walls
◼ Coupled walls
◼ More complex wall layouts (L, T, and box shapes)
◼ Influence of finite element mesh density on efficiency and accuracy of analysis
3
Week 5: Learning Outcomes
24
Week 5: Significance on the Job
◼ Diaphragms and shear walls are a critical part of the load path and must be modeled and
detailed appropriately
◼ Modeling diaphragms and shear walls from a top-town full-system perspective creates the most
versatile analytical model without adding significantly to model development or analysis time
25
Next Scene: Basic Concepts of Floor and Roof
Diaphragms
6
7
Basic Concepts of Floor and Roof Diaphragms
9
Diaphragm Concepts
◼ In-plane axial and shear stiffness (or flexibility) of diaphragms is critically important for resisting
lateral loads
◼ In the past, classifying the in-plane diaphragm stiffness as rigid or flexible had certain
advantages. Currently, diaphragms are commonly (and easily) modeled as semirigid with shell-
type finite elements.
10
Actions Needed for Diaphragm Design
◼ Structural analysis results must provide the forces needed for the design and detailing of the
diaphragm. Typically, these forces are grouped into the diaphragm panel, diaphragm chords,
and diaphragm collectors (also called drag beams or drag struts).
◼ Structural analysis results must also include the design forces in the lateral load resisting system.
The force distribution can be highly dependent on the in-plane stiffness of the diaphragm relative
to the stiffness of the lateral load resisting system.
◼ Accurate calculation of the design forces requires modeling the diaphragm as semirigid.
Diaphragm Chord
Diaphragm Panel
Load Direction
Diaphragm Collector 11
Reasons Why a Semirigid Diaphragm is
Preferred for Analysis
◼ For most building systems under wind or seismic loading, a diaphragm cannot be classified as
flexible by ASCE 7. Hence, a 3D model is required, and diaphragms must be explicitly modeled.
◼ Wind Loading: Diaphragms can be considered as rigid to determine which load cases are
required for design (See Section 27.3.5 of ASCE 7-16). However, Section
27.4.5 requires that the structural analysis consider the relative stiffness of diaphragms and the
vertical elements of the MWFRS.
◼ Seismic Loading: Section 12.3.1.2 of ASCE 7-16 states that a diaphragm can be considered as
rigid if it consists of a concrete slab or concrete filled metal deck with a span to depth ratio of 3 or
less in structures that have no horizontal irregularities. However, most structures have at least
one horizontal irregularity so the diaphragm cannot be classified as rigid, and Section 12.7.3
requires that the analysis shall account for the participation of the diaphragm stiffness.
12
Modeling a Diaphragm as Semirigid
◼ The principal requirement is that the model allows in-plane deformations (axial, shear, and
bending)
◼ Use of a horizontal truss or strut and tie mode is possible but can be cumbersome. There are
some advantages for reinforced concrete diaphragms.
◼ Use of membrane elements is possible, but out-of-plane bending DOF will need to be restrained
if more than one element is utilized per rectangular bay.
◼ Use of plate bending elements is not applicable because in-plane deformation are not included.
◼ Use of shell elements is preferred. The number of DOF will generally increase significantly, but
solution times are not greatly affected. Where shell elements are used it may be necessary to
use a reduced bending stiffness to avoid unintended coupling of shear walls and other sources of
unintended stiffness.
13
Some Important Diaphragm Considerations (1)
14
Important Diaphragm Considerations (2)
Forces in the typical diaphragm
levels are highly dependent on
the relative in-plane stiffness of
the diaphragm and the stiffness
of the lateral load resisting
system.
15
Important Diaphragm Considerations (3)
Forces in the typical diaphragm
levels are highly dependent on
the relative in-plane stiffness of
the diaphragm and the stiffness
of the lateral load resisting
system.
16
Diaphragm Loads due to Wind
◼ Wind loads develop as a result of pressures acting on the windward, leeward, and sidewalls of
the structure.
◼ Loads should be applied as distributed loads along the edge of the diaphragm. Element loads
and/or nodal loads may be used.
18
Diaphragm Loads due to Earthquakes
◼ Design of the diaphragm requires a separate loading than used for the design of the lateral
load resisting system.
◼ For the lateral load resisting system, the analysis is performed using either the Equivalent Lateral
Force method (ELF), the Modal Response Spectrum (MRS) method, or the linear Response
History (LRH) method. These procedures are described in Sections 12.8 and 12.9 of ASCE 7.
◼ ASCE 7 does not provide procedures for determining diaphragm design forces directly from MRS
or LRH analysis. Design of the diaphragm using forces obtained using MRS or LRH would not be
code compliant (NIST, 2011).
◼ For the design of the diaphragm the lateral forces are obtained using one of two procedures
available in Section 12.10. Note that these forces would be applied as static lateral loads
even if the lateral load resisting system is analyzed using MRS or LRH analysis.
19
ASCE 7-16 Requirements for Diaphragms under Seismic Loading
◼ Design and detailing of diaphragms, chords, and collectors is in accordance with Section 12.10.
These requirements are significantly more complex than that required by wind.
◼ Most structures will be designed based on Sections 12.10.1 and 12.10.2. Precast concrete
diaphragms in SDC C, D, E, and F must be designed using Section 12.10.3.
◼ The structural analysis used to determine forces within the diaphragm, chords, and collectors
is based on lateral loading that is different than that used to design the lateral load resisting
system.
◼ Design of the diaphragm, chords, and collectors may require the use of the redundancy factor r,
or the overstrength factor Wo.
20
Determining Lateral Seismic Loads for use in Designing Diaphragms
140
120
100
Height, ft
80
60
40
20
0
0.0 50.0 100.0 150.0 200.0 250.0 300.0
Diaphragm Force Fpx, kips
Lateral Force F Diaphragm Force Fpx Minimum Diaphragm Force
21
Use of Response Spectrum or Response History for Determining
Diaphragm Forces
164.3 k 10 164 k 253 k 164.3 k
ELF Lateral forces Computed lateral Minimum lateral Suggested lateral forces
for designing MSFRS diaphragm forces diaphragm forces for designing diaphragm
Eq. 12.8-12 determined from determined from at Level 5 (NIST 2011a)
Eq 12.10-1 Eq 12.10-2
22
Application of Diaphragm Loads in 3D Analysis
◼ Where the diaphragm is modeled as semirigid the loads should be distributed throughout the
diaphragm in accordance with the distribution of mass.
◼ This is true for the analysis used for designing the lateral load resisting systems (Section 12.8
and 12.9) and for designing the diaphragms (Section 12.10)
Adams (2020) 24
25
Basic Diaphragm Modeling Concepts:
Flexible, Semirigid, and Rigid
27
Diaphragm Classifications
Fully Flexible:
Diaphragm essentially has no in-plane stiffness. Forces in
the lateral force resisting systems are based on tributary area.
Fully Rigid:
Diaphragm is of sufficient in-plane stiffness that forces in
lateral force resisting elements are based only on the stiffness
and location of these elements.
Semirigid:
A diaphragm that is not classified as either Flexible or Rigid.
Note: This test is required for determining the classification of the diaphragm's
rigidity under seismic loads. The same test could be used for wind loads. 29
Calculated Diaphragm Flexibility
Depth
Span
30
Example for Diaphragm Flexibility
Depth=
Span=
Note: ASCE 7 does not provide a clear definition for the diaphragm
span. The span shown is the most logical interpretation.
31
SAP 2000 Model
0.0425”
0.0295”
0.0216”
0.0136”
ADVE=(0.0136+0.0295)/2=0.0216 in.
MDD=(0.0425-0.0216)=0.0209 in.
MDD/ADVE=0.0209/0.0216=0.967<2.0 Diaphragm is NOT Flexible
33
Distribution of Forces in Walls for 4” Slab
34
Analysis Results for 2” Thick Slab
0.0595
0.0297
0.0134”
ADVE=(0.0134+0.0297)/2=0.0215 in.
MDD=(0.0595-0.0215)=0.0380 in.
MDD/ADVE=0.0380/0.0215=1.767<2.0 Diaphragm is NOT Flexible
35
Summary for SAP 2000 Analysis
36
Classification of Diaphragms in IBC
Depth
Span
Note: Section 1604.4 of IBC states that the diaphragm can be considered as rigid for analysis if the deflection
MDD is less than 2(ADVE). This would mean for that almost all diaphragms can be analyzed as rigid. In many
cases, the use of a rigid diaphragm would not be suitable, and the IBC provision should be used with caution.
37
Influence of Diaphragm Modeling on Efficiency
of Calculations and Computed Behavior
◼ Slides in this scene are based on a paper by Allen Adams Chief Structural Engineer at Bentley
Systems (developers of STAAD and Ram Structural System)
◼ Building is 4-Story structural steel with moment resisting frames as the lateral load resisting
elements
◼ Diaphragms are 3-1/4” light weight concrete over metal deck. They are modeled as semirigid
using shell elements
◼ Analyses performed:
◼ Varying the mesh density for shell elements
◼ Reanalysis with braced frames instead of moment frames
◼ Varying the mechanical properties of the shell elements
(not discussed here)
Ram Structural System Model 38
Influence of Mesh Density on Run Times
▪ There is a significant
difference in frame shears
between semi-rigid and rigid
diaphragm results (differences
as high as 11.2% in upper level)
40
Results for Braced Frame Shears
for Loading in Y direction 2 3
41
Results for Braced Frame Story Drift
for Loading in Y direction 2 3
▪ Significant differences in
Diaphragm stresses not diaphragm stresses for
available from rigid diaphragm lowest resolution model
model (2x2 mesh), particularly axial
stress due to chord action in the
bridging diaphragm.
▪ 4x4 mesh has results similar
to the 30x30 mesh.
43
Summary of 4-Story Building Example
◼ The sensitivity of meshing density is more significant for the braced frame building than for the
moment frame building. This is due to the the stiffness of the diaphragm relative to the frames
being lower for the braced frame building.
◼ The significance of the differences in results would be less if the building was rectangular in plan
(did not have the narrow connecting diaphragm).
◼ The highest resolution mesh with 900 elements per bay did not produce significantly better (or
different) results than the model with 16 elements per bay.
◼ Some of the the results using a rigid diaphragm were considerably different than obtained using
semrigid elements. The rigid diaphragm also had the disadvantage of not reporting diaphragm
forces.
◼ For this building, the run time for the analysis with 16 elements per bay (4x4) was only 4 seconds.
Hence, there is no consequential loss in analysis efficiency relative to the rigid diaphragm model
(1 second).
44
Next Scene: Modeling the Podium and Basement
Diaphragms
1000
500
0
F
-1000
-1500
H
-2000 Basement Wall 2
Basement Wall 1
-2500
-3000
0.0001 0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000 100000
Slab 1
h Wall 1
Slab 2
h Wall 2
45
46
Modeling Diaphragms as Rigid
1000
500
-1000
-1500
H
-2000 Basement Wall 2
Basement Wall 1
-2500
-3000
0.0001 0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000 100000
h Wall 1
Slab 2
h Wall 2
48
Influence of Podium Slab and Shear Wall
Properties on System Response
Slab 1
h Wall 1
Slab 2
h Wall 2
49
System Analyzed: 20-Story Reinforced Concrete Shear Wall Building
Slab area contributing to spring
stiffness (next slide)
F H=240 ft
LW
h=15 ft
F
L=100 ft F
b=25 ft
H Lw=25 ft
tw=1.0 ft (12 in) F b
(2/3)H ts=0.5 ft (6 in)
EW=ES=5000 ksi
GW=GS=2000 ksi
F
F=180 k
Slab 1 F
h Wall 1
Slab 2 tW
h Wall 2
L
50
Podium Slab Influence on System Response (Frame Element Mathcad Model)
180 k
180k
Slab 1 KS1
h Wall 1
Slab 2
h Wall 2
KS2
180 k
180 k
H
5x110 mesh of
thin shell elements
Slab 1
h Wall 1
Slab 2 Grade Level
h Wall 2
500
180 k
0 • Basement wall shears
Shear Force (kips)
are dependent on
-500 in-plane diaphragm
flexibility
-1000 • Probable wall shears
are as much as 3 times
-1500 shear just above grade
• Modeling slabs as rigid
-2000 Basement Wall 2 in plane produces
Basement Wall 1 unrealistic forces
-2500
-3000
0.0001 0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000 100000
Podium slabs Podium slabs
very flexible Slab Stiffness Modifier very rigid
53
Forces in Wall for Analysis (Shear Deformation in Wall)
180k 180
V=180k V=180k
V=-1438k V=-661k
V=-265k V=-650k
54
Lateral Displacement Results(Shear Deformation in Wall)
Range of probable
12 behavior
-3000
0.0001 0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000 100000
Podium slabs Podium slabs
very flexible Slab Stiffness Modifier very rigid
56
Forces in Wall for Analysis (No Shear Deformations in Wall)
180k 180k
V=180k V=180k
V=-2469k V=-817k
Floor slab in
Floor slab in 149k
3291k compression
tension
V=822k V=-1005 k
57
Lateral Displacement Results(No Shear Deformation in Wall)
Range of probable
12
behavior
Similar to analysis
including shear def.
10
Droof=10.8” Droof=8.8”
Roof Displacement (inches)
0
0.0001 0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000 100000
Podium slabs Slab Stiffness Modifier Podium slabs
very flexible very rigid
58
Comparison of Wall Shears With and Without Shear Deformation
500 500
0 0
Shear Force (kips)
-1000 -1000
-1500 -1500
-3000 -3000
0.0001 0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000 100000 0.0001 0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000 100000
59
Comparison of Displacements with and without Shear Deformation
10 10
8.81in.
8 8
6 6
4 4
2 2
0 0
0.0001 0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000 100000 0.0001 0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000 100000
Slab Stiffness Modifier Slab Stiffness Modifier
60
Example Summary
◼ 20-Story reinforced concrete shear wall analyzed using a simple model that varies in-plane
diaphragm stiffness and either includes or ignores shear deformations in the wall. The principal
finding are as follows:
1. It is essential to include in-plane deformations in the podium-level and basement slabs.
Using rigid diaphragms significantly overestimates basement level wall shear forces.
2. Including shear deformation in the shear wall also reduces the subgrade shears in the shear walls
3. Other modeling behaviors not explored here could also produce significant differences in
the behavior of the structure. F
• Including cracking (bending and shear) in the
subgrade levels of the wall. Here, the
diaphragm is becoming more rigid relative
to the wall.
• Including flexibility of the soil behind the basement wall. Here
the diaphragm is effectively becoming more flexible relative
to the wall
Added spring for
It would take several trial analyses to establish the appropriate soil flexibility
modeling details. Where there is considerable uncertainty a KS1
KSoil
bounding analysis should be used to capture the most critical Cracking in
effect. subgrade wall
KS2
61
Next Scene: Modeling Diaphragms with Shell
Elements
5 6
Shell 1
a, r b,s c,t
r s t
3 4
a b c 3
Shell 2
Y
r s t
1 2
Z (up) X
62
1000
500
-1000
-1500
H
-2000 Basement Wall 2
Basement Wall 1
-2500
-3000
0.0001 0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000 100000
h Wall 1
Slab 2
h Wall 2
63
Modeling Diaphragms as Semirigid using
Shell and Membrane Elements
5 6
Shell 1
a, r b,s c,t
r s t
3 4
a b c 3
Shell 2
Y
r s t
1 2
Z (up) X
65
Modeling Diaphragms with Shell Elements
◼ In almost all cases the diaphragm should be modeled with shell elements
◼ Materials may be isotropic (same in the two orthogonal directions) or orthotropic (different
properties in the two orthogonal directions). For a concrete slab or concrete slab over metal deck
the use of isotropic properties is recommended
66
Material and Section Properties Needed for Thin Shell Element
◼ Material properties include:
◼ Modulus of elasticity
◼ Poisson’s ratio
◼ Coefficient of thermal expansion
◼ Mass and weight density
Property modifiers are typically used to account for cracking, where typical values are in the range of 0.25
to 0.50. Modifiers can also be used to reduce bending stiffness to reduce unintended coupling provided
by the diaphragm. This is primarily an issue in seismic design.
67
Using Property Modifiers for Shell Elements (SAP 2000)
0.50
0.50 In-plane axial and shear. Value of 0.5 is
0.50 used to represent cracking.
0.01 Out of plane bending (m11 and m12)
0.01
and drilling torsion (m12). Value of 0.01 is
Caution: Using a low bending stiffness can cause used to eliminate unintended coupling
unrealistic high-period vertical vibration of the diaphragms. Out of plane (thru-thickness) shear
This can be a consideration in dynamic analysis and is
addressed in more detail in Weeks 7 and 12.
68
Meshing the Diaphragm
◼ Rectangular elements are preferred. Some programs that perform automatic meshing may use
triangular or trapezoidal elements in some regions.
◼ The preferred element aspect ratio is between 0.5 and 2.0. Ideally the ratio should be as close
to 1.0 as possible.
◼ The mesh density to use depends on the application and on the information desired from the
analysis.
◼ If no stresses or forces are to be obtained from the diaphragm, a 2-by-2 or 3-by-3 mesh per rectangular
bay is likely acceptable.
◼ If stresses or forces are required a finer mesh is appropriate. In most cases a 5 by 5 mesh per
rectangular bay is sufficient but for odd geometries a larger number may be required. Trial and
error may be needed to determine the most appropriate mesh.
◼ The procedure used for meshing the diaphragm depends heavily on the program used. Also,
there may be numerous methods to create the same mesh using a given program.
69
Meshing the Diaphragm
Frame 10
Frame 7
Frame 8
Frame 9
identified here)
4. Draw full-bay shell elements in desired
Frame 4 Frame 5 Frame 6
locations (only elements 1 and 2 shown here). B
5. Mesh the shell elements into a 4-by-4
arrangement. Shell 1
6. If the frame elements are not automatically
meshed (into 4 segments each) this C
should be done manually.
7. The vertical deflections in the frame should Shell 2
be compatible with those in the shell element.
Y D
Note:
Steps 1-4 may be automatic.
E
Z (up) X 70
Joining Elements with the Same Mesh
1 2
Z (up) X 71
Make Sure the Frame Elements Go Along
for the Ride
5 Shell 1
6
a, r b,s c,t
3 4
r s
t
3 c 4
Y a b
r s t
Incorrect: The frame element deforms
1 2 inconsistently with the shells
Shell 2
Z (up) X 72
Joining Elements with a Different Mesh
74
Postprocessing After Analysis
◼ When the analysis is complete the following items may be required for design:
◼ Forces within the panel of the diaphragm
◼ Forces in the chords
◼ Forces in the collectors
◼ Many programs make the postprocessing easy by allowing the analyst to “cut” through the
diaphragm and report axial forces, shears, and moments at the cut location.
75
Next Scene: Basic Concepts for Modeling
Shear Walls
76
5 6
Shell 1
a, r b,s c,t
r s t
3 4
a b c 3
Shell 2
Y
r s t
1 2
Z (up) X
77
Modeling Flexible Diaphragms
Fixed supports at base
79
Reinforced Concrete Shear Wall Modeling
◼ Emphasis on “slender” walls (i.e., walls with height to width ratio greater than 4)
◼ Modeling isolated wall systems, frame-wall systems, and coupled wall systems
◼ Modeling with frame elements, shell elements, or a combination of frame and shell elements
◼ Analytical models should be 3D for final design. Planar models are appropriate for preliminary
design.
80
Factors Strongly Affecting Computed Behavior
of Structures Incorporating Walls
◼ “Backstay” influence of in-plane diaphragm flexibility in grade-level and below grade diaphragms
Note: There is often considerable uncertainty in including the above effects in analysis.
All realistic ranges of behavior should be explored to ensure that the critical effects
and associated demands are captured.
81
Modeling Individual Shear Walls Using Frame Elements:
Beams and columns contribute to lateral resistance
Structure Model
For cases where the beams and columns do not
contribute to the lateral resistance end releases
may be used.
End Releases
Fixed supports at base
83
Frame elements must be included to carry gravity loads that are stabilized by the lateral system
Coupled Wall Systems Modeled with Frame
Elements
Structure Model
84
For all frame elements include axial, bending, and shear deformations
Cracked Section Properties (ACI 318)
No information is provided
in ACI 318 regarding cracking in shear for
the walls nor for the coupling beams.
See Scene 4 of Week 4 for guidance.
85
Effective Flange Width (ACI 318)
beff
Frame Analyzed
87
Example Modeling Assumptions
Soil spring
Assumed as rigid
Z
Y
Note: Beams and columns
Columns and wall assumed
X fixed at base
in this frame are part of
the lateral load resisting system
Total lateral force = 335k
Total Overturning Moment (at grade level)= 363393 in-k 90
Checking Equilibrium on the Computed Response
Values Check
91
Computed Lateral Drift
180
160
140
Height Above Grade, ft
120
100
80
H/500
60
Deflected Shape
40
Cracked Sections
20
As expected, cracking has a significant
Uncracked Sections
0
effect on the computed displacements
0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50 4.00
Lateral Displacement, inches
92
Computed Shears in Beams
Shear in Beam
◼ For both cracked and uncracked
Level Cracked (k) Uncracked (k)
sections the shears in the stories,
R 10.31 9.38 working from the top, increase until
12 11.76 11.49 mid-height of the structure and then
Increase
11 12.11 11.83 decrease. This is due to the beams
10 12.74 12.42 acting as an outrigger.
9 13.35 13.02
◼ The shears are affected by cracking
8 13.88 13.54
but not to a large extent
7 14.22 13.87
6 14.27 13.95
Decrease
5 13.94 13.65
4 13.11 12.88
3 11.65 11.51
2 9.41 9.35
G 4.85 5.20
93
Moments in Shear Wall ◼ For both cracked and uncracked
sections the moments in the upper
Moment in Wall at Bottom of Story levels of the wall are negative and
Story Cracked (in-k) Uncracked (in-k) are positive in the lower stories
12 -12772 -11516
◼ The change in sign is due to the
11 -21237 -17403
outriggering provided by the frame
10 -27492 -18872
elements
9 -18248 -16119
8 -11808 -9248 ◼ The moments are affected by
7 -1280 1735 cracking but not to a large extent
6 13439 16924
Structure Analyzed
5 32561 36505
4 56401 60757 Maximum outrigger
influence
3 85202 89975
Minimal outrigger
2 120385 125106 influence
1 179520 185224
B 176132 204281
Original node Shell elements Shell elements Common nodes Foundation nodal
layout added meshed constrained Restraints added
95
Fixed supports at base
96
Analysis of a Structure with Different
Diaphragms Models and Comparison of Results
Original node Shell elements Shell elements Common nodes Foundation nodal
layout added meshed constrained Restraints added
98
Modeling Walls with Shell Elements
◼ Keep the aspect ratio of elements within the range of 0.5 to 2.0 with values closer to 1.0
preferred.
◼ Use property modifiers to model cracking, where needed. The modifiers would generally be
applied independently to in-plane axial and shear stiffness.
99
Modeling Individual Shear Walls Thin Shell Elements:
Beams and columns contribute to lateral resistance
• Beams
• Simple frame element
• End zones set to half column depth on exterior
and half of wall width on interior
• End zone reduction factors as appropriate at
exterior connections
• Special properties for grade level beam
to ensure proper backstay behavior
• Wall
• 4-node thin shell elements
• Boundary elements or flanges must be
included separately using frame or shell
elements as appropriate
• Soil Spring
Fixed supports at base • Spring support or simple frame element
All frame elements include axial, bending, and shear deformations 100
Creating the Shell Element Mesh
Original node Shell elements Shell elements Common nodes Foundation nodal
layout added meshed constrained restraints added
Note:
Beams and columns
on panel boundaries
(where they exist)
should be meshed
consistently
with the panel
101
Note: Procedure may depend on specific software package used.
Modeling Link Beams in Coupled Walls
x
x
x
x x
103
Example: 12-Story R/C System
Modeled Using Frame Elements
Frame Analyzed
104
Gross and Effective Section Properties
Gross Properties
Element Area (in2) Av (in2) I (in4)
Exterior Column 784 653* 51211
Wall Boundary Element Column 616 - -
Typical “T” beam (bf=84 in) 856 600** 75666
Grade level “T” beam (bf=84 in) 984 600** 79869
Wall thickness=12” *Area/1.2 ** Web area
Soil spring
Assumed as rigid
106
Section Cut for Obtaining Overall Model Equilibrium
120
element model with beams in
100 the wall panel are close to, but slightly
greater than the displacements for the
80 frame model
60
◼ The differences in the results for the frame
Shell w/o Beams model and the shell model without beams in
40
Shell with Beams the wall panel is due to excess flexibility at
20 Frame Model
the beam connecting point in the shell
model and excess stiffness at the same
0 point in the frame model
0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50
Lateral Displacement, inches
◼ The results shown in the next few slides are
for the shell model with beams in the wall
Note: the lateral displacements for the shell model and the frame model panel. It is assumed that these beams are
are virtually identical when only the wall is modeled present in the actual structure.
108
Computed Lateral Drift
180
160
140
Height Above Grade, ft
120
100
80 Deflected Shape
H/500
60
As expected, cracking has a significant
40 effect on the computed displacements.
Cracked Sections
20 Values are similar to those obtained using
Uncracked Sections frame elements for wall.
0
0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50 4.00
Lateral Displacement, inches
109
Computed Shears in Beams
Shear in Beam
◼ For both cracked and uncracked
Level Cracked (k) Uncracked (k)
sections the shears in the stories,
R 10.24 9.13 working from the top, increase until
12 11.72 11.28 mid-height of the structure and then
Increase
11 12.02 11.74 decrease. This is due to the beams
10 12.62 12.10 acting as an outrigger.
9 13.19 12.62
◼ The shears are affected by cracking
8 13.67 13.05
but not to a large extent
7 13.95 13.32
6 13.97 13.33 ◼ Values are similar to those obtained
Decrease
110
Section Cut for Obtaining Wall Moment (Uncracked System)
◼ In terms of displacements and internal forces the results for analysis using frame elements
and using shell elements for the wall are similar
◼ For the analysis using shell elements there is some uncertainty regarding the analysis where
beam elements are not extended through the wall. Analysis without these elements seemed to
produce considerably more displacement than analysis without the beams extending into the wall.
◼ Where analysis with cracking is performed it is not possible to independently set cracking
factors for axial forces and bending moments where shell elements are used.
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Next Scene: Overview of 3D Model
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Original node Shell elements Shell elements Common nodes Foundation nodal
layout added meshed constrained Restraints added
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Important considerations when rigid
diaphragms are modeled
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3D Model of Reinforced Concrete Structure
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Three-Dimensional Model with Semirigid Diaphragms
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Diaphragm Modeling
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Shear Wall Modeling
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Next Scene: Summary of Week 5
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Conclusion
Plan view of one floor of 12-story building
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Recap of Week 5
◼ Diaphragm Behavior
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Week 5 References
1. Sabelli, R., Pottebaum, W, and Dean, B. (2009). “Diaphragms for Seismic Design”, Structural Engineer,
(January Issue).
2. NIST (2011a). Seismic Design of Steel Deck and Concrete-filled Diaphragms, [NIST GCR 11-917-10],
National Institute for Science and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD.
3. NIST (2011b). Seismic Design of Cast-in-Place Concrete Special Structural Walls and Coupling Beams
[NIST GCR 11-917-11REV-1], National Institute for Science and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD.
4. NIST (2016). Seismic Design of Cast-in-Place Concrete Diaphragms, Chords, and Collectors
[NIST GCR 16-917-142], National Institute for Science and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD.
5. Adams, A. (2020). “Study on the Sensitivity of Mesh Size and Properties in the Analysis of Semirigid
Diaphragms”, Proceedings of the 202 SEAOC Convention.
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What’s Coming in Week 6?
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Plan view of one floor of 12-story building
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