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G.17.4.1.8 Lateral Load Distribution

Lateral loads can be applied by any one of the following three methods per Section 3.3.3.2.3 of FEMA 356.

Method 1

The vertical distribution of the base shear shall be as specified in this section for all buildings. The lateral load applied at any floor level x shall be determined in accordance with equation (1-8-1) and equation (1-8-2):

Fx = CvxV(1-8-1)

where
Cvx
=
w x h x k i = 1 n w i h i k (1-8-2)

Method 2

A vertical distribution proportional to the shape of the fundamental mode in the direction under consideration is performed. Use of this distribution shall be permitted only when more than 75% of the  total mass participates in the fundamental mode in the direction under consideration, and the uniform distribution is also used.

F x = w x ϕ x i = 1 n w i ϕ i (1-8-3)

Method 3

A vertical distribution is performed consisting of lateral forces at each level proportional to the total mass at each level .

F x = w x i = 1 n w i (1-8-4)
where
Cvx
=
Vertical distribution factor
k
=
Linear interpolation shall be used to calculate values of for intermediate values of k for intermediate values of T.

= 2.0 for T ≥ 2.5 seconds

= 1.0 for T ≤ 0.5 seconds

V
=
User-defined base shear
wi
=
Portion of the total building weight W located on or assigned to floor level i
wx
=
Portion of the total building weight W located on or assigned to floor level x
hi
=
Height (in ft) from the base to floor level i
hx
=
Height (in ft) from the base to floor level x
Fx
=
Amplitude of mode a floor level x