Distribution of Forces

in Lateral Load Resisting Systems

Part 1. Vertical Distribution

and Load Paths

IITGN Short Course

Gregory MacRae

1
Many slides from 2009 Myanmar Slides of Profs Jain and Rai
Gravity Forces
 Gravity Forces

• Gravity forces are from MASS going through a

vertical acceleration (gravity)

Modified from Rai, Murty and Jain

 Gravity Load Path

• Consider a box on the slab

The box has mass

so it is subject to
gravity force

If that force is not

resisted, the box
will fall to the
ground
 Gravity Load Path

We can say that:

The box
is subject to force
from
gravitational attraction
by
gravity
causing
bearing
and is supported by
slab
 Gravity Load Path

We can say that:

The slab
is subject to force
from
the box
by
bearing
It acts in
bending/shear
We must provide the slab with enough
bending/shear strength. and is supported by
Reinforcing
steel beams
 Gravity Load Path

We can say that:

The beams
are subject to force
from
the slab
by
bearing
They act in
We must provide the beams with enough bending/shear
bending/shear strength. and are supported by
Reinforcing
steel
columns
 Gravity Load Path

We can say that:

The columns
are subject to force
from
the beams
by
shear/bending.
P
They acts in
M compression & b/s
We must provide the columns
with enough compressive and Reinforcing
and are supported by
steel
bending/shear (b/s) resistance. footings
 Gravity Load Path

We can say that:

The footing
is subject to force
from
the columns
by
compression and b/s.
It acts in
P bending/shear
We must provide the footing with M V
enough steel to resist the bending
and is supported by
and shear. Reinforcing soil.
steel
 Gravity Load Path

We can say that:

The ground
is subject to force
from
the footings
by
shear/compression.
It acts in
compression
We must provide the footing with enough area
so that the bearing capacity of the soil is not
and is supported by
exceeded. deeper soil.
 Building Structures…

• Structural Systems…

Rai, Murty and Jain

• Tooth-pick columns, if gravity designed!!

Rai, Murty and Jain

Seismic Forces Points
 Gravity Load Path

• Consider a box on the slab

The box has mass

so it is subject to
gravity force

If that force is not

resisted, the box
will fall to the
ground
 Vertical Loads: EQ versus Gravity
• Factor of safety on gravity load design
– Earthquake induced vertical inertia forces
are generally small !!
Vertical component of
earthquake-induced inertia
force

Gravity Load
Rai, Murty and Jain
 Earthquake-Induced Force
• EQ shaking generates inertia forces
– At every location where mass is (e.g., at floors, in
beams, walls, contents, etc)

F = ma

• Lateral accelerations are the primary concern.

Load paths are needed.
Rai, Murty and Jain
 Earthquake-Induced Force
• EQ inertia forces tend to be greater with height

Wind forces Earthquake Forces

Lateral Load Transfer Path

Rai, Murty and Jain

 EQ Induced Horizontal Inertia Force…
• Significant mass (and hence inertia force) is at
floor level

Rai, Murty and Jain

 Lateral Load Path

We can say that: Depends on slab stiffness

The slab
is subject to force
from
the earthquake
by
shaking.
It acts in
in-plane bending/shear
We must provide the slab
with enough in-plane and is supported by
Reinforcing
enough bending/shear steel frames
strength.
 Lateral Load Path

The SF connection
is subject to force
from
the slab
by
shear.
It acts in
shear
We must provide the slab-frame and is supported by
(SF) connection with enough shear
frame
strength. Drag struts needed?
 Lateral Load Path

The frame
is subject to force
from
the SF connection
by
shear.
It acts in
moment frame action
We must provide the frame and is supported by
with enough bending/shear
footings
reinforcement.
 Lateral Load Path

The footing
is subject to force
from
the slab
by
shear, axial/bending.
It acts in
moment frame action
We must design the footing and is supported by
to transfer forces to soil.
footings
 Building Structures…

• Structural Systems…

Rai, Murty and Jain

 Challenges of Steel Structures…

• Tooth-pick columns, if gravity designed!!

– Seismic columns need more bracing
• To develop plastic moment hinges

Rai, Murty and Jain

 Bracings In Steel Structures…

• Seismic structures
– Large amount of bracing required

Rai, Murty and Jain

 Bracing In Steel Structures…

• Seismic structures
– Bracing needed even in low rise buildings
• Columns are very flexible

Rai, Murty and Jain

 Bracings In Steel Structures…

• Seismic bracing
– Not slender
– Much like structural members

Rai, Murty and Jain

 Bracing In Steel Structures…

• Seismic bracing…
– Can be architectural features

Rai, Murty and Jain

Thank you!!

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