In-Plane Floor Deformations in RC Structures

It is noted that the influence of in-plane deformations on the distribution of stresses in a building structure is dependent on the stiffness of the lateral load-resisting system relative to that of the floor. To quantify this relationship, a number of buildings were analyzed first using the rigid floor assumption and then using an accurate finite element model. The lateral loads were based on earthquake equivalent loads, except in one case in which wind loads were studied for the sake of comparison The details of the study are described, and the results are presented and discussed.