This study presents a comprehensive analysis and design of a multistoried G+16 L-shaped building using structural analysis software under different seismic zones (II to V), focusing on the impact of shear wall inclusion on structural performance. Five models were developed: one without shear walls and four with shear walls placed in zones of increasing seismic intensity. The investigation evaluates storey drift and storey shear parameters to assess lateral load resistance. Results reveal that the model without shear walls (Model-1) exhibits the highest storey drift and lowest shear resistance, indicating poor seismic performance. In contrast, models with shear walls (Models 2–5) show substantial improvements in both drift control and shear resistance, with Model-3 (Zone III) demonstrating the most balanced performance. The study confirms that the inclusion of shear walls significantly enhances the structural stability and seismic resilience of multistoried buildings, with increased efficiency in higher seismic zones.
Introduction
With rapid urbanization and limited horizontal space, vertical expansion through multi-story buildings has become essential for meeting rising residential and commercial demands. These structures enable efficient land use while supporting dense urban activities.
2. Key Design Considerations
Designing multi-story buildings requires an integrated approach, focusing on:
Structural Integrity: Ability to withstand vertical (dead/live loads) and horizontal forces (wind, seismic).
Safety: Use of reinforced concrete frames, shear walls, and bracing—especially critical in seismic or extreme weather-prone zones.
Functionality: Optimal internal layouts with well-placed columns, beams, and load-bearing elements to ensure efficiency and usability.
3. Earthquake-Resistant Design Principles
In seismically active areas, structures must be designed to:
Withstand dynamic seismic forces
Include ductility (controlled deformation beyond elasticity) and flexibility (swaying ability without collapse)
Absorb and dissipate seismic energy through deformation and yielding, minimizing damage and preventing collapse
4. Literature Review Highlights
Research on multi-story seismic design covers:
Regular vs. Irregular Structures: Irregular plans show more deformation; symmetrical buildings perform better under seismic loads.
Software Tools: ETABS, STAAD-Pro, and SAP2000 are commonly used for static and dynamic seismic analysis.
Design Methods: Includes equivalent static analysis, response spectrum analysis, and time history analysis.
Parameters Analyzed: Story drift, displacement, base shear, stiffness, torsional irregularity.
Soil and Zone Impact: Building performance varies by soil type (hard, medium, soft) and seismic zone (Zone II–V in India).
Key Finding: Structures with symmetrical shear wall placement outperform those with none or asymmetric configurations.
5. Methodology
The study uses STAAD-Pro to model and analyze an L-shaped G+16 irregular building under different seismic conditions.
Model Specifications
Building Height: 30 m
Base Area: 25 m × 25 m
Grid Spacing: 5 m
Beam & Column Sizes: Vary by storey; larger at base, smaller toward top
Support Type: Fixed
Live Load: 3 kN/m²
Seismic Design Parameters (per Indian Code IS 1893)
Seismic Zones: II–V with respective zone factors (0.10 to 0.36)
Response Reduction Factor: 5
Importance Factor: 1
Damping Ratio: 0.05
Soil Site Factor: 2
Models Created for Analysis
Irregular G+16 without shear wall
With shear wall in Seismic Zone II
With shear wall in Seismic Zone III
With shear wall in Seismic Zone IV
With shear wall in Seismic Zone V
Conclusion
Based on the analysis and design of a G+16 irregular L-shaped multi-story building across different seismic zones using advanced structural analysis software, the following conclusions are drawn:
1) Effectiveness of Shear Walls
The inclusion of shear walls significantly enhances the seismic performance of the structure. Model-1, which lacks shear walls, exhibits the highest storey drift and the lowest shear resistance, indicating inadequate lateral stability. In contrast, Models 2 to 5 (incorporating shear walls) demonstrate greatly improved performance, particularly in drift control and shear capacity.
2) Storey Drift Observations
o Model-1 shows maximum storey drift across all levels, highlighting its poor resistance to seismic lateral loads.
o The introduction of shear walls in Models 2 to 5 results in a considerable reduction in drift values.
o Model-3 (Seismic Zone III) records the lowest overall drift, suggesting optimal structural behavior under moderate seismic intensity.
o Although Models 4 and 5 (Zones IV and V) show a slight increase in drift compared to Model-3, they still maintain acceptable performance and demonstrate improved resistance over Model-1.
3) Storey Shear Trends
o Storey shear values increase progressively from top to bottom in all models, consistent with expected seismic behavior.
o Model-1 records the lowest shear values, underscoring its limited ability to resist lateral forces.
o Models 2 to 5 show significantly enhanced shear resistance, with Model-5 (Zone V) experiencing the highest shear values due to higher seismic demand.
o Model-3 displays peak shear values at lower levels, indicating effective lateral force transfer through shear wall action in a moderate seismic zone.
4) Impact of Seismic Zone Variation
o As the seismic zone intensity increases from Zone II to Zone V, both storey drift and shear values reflect corresponding changes in structural demand and response.
o The trend confirms the importance of adapting design strategies according to regional seismicity to ensure structural resilience.
5) Structural Stability and Design Implications
The strategic placement of shear walls proves to be a critical factor in enhancing structural stability. The study confirms that properly designed and positioned shear walls are highly effective in reducing drift and increasing shear resistance, thereby contributing to the overall seismic resilience of multi-story buildings in various earthquake-prone regions
References
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