Lateral Displacement in Walls with Openings: Importance of Floor System Stiffness

Abstract

Approximations obtained with the equivalent frame method and the equivalent shear-connection method to assess the elastic average lateral displacement profiles of walls with symmetric and asymmetric openings are compared to results obtained with the finite-element method using reasonably fine meshes. Multistory walls were studied and the contribution of slabs in the lateral stiffness was considered through an equivalent flange, as recommended in several building codes. Different stiffnesses were considered for the walls and the slabs. From the obtained results it is confirmed that approximations obtained with the studied methods increase as the number of stories of the wall increases, and that they are reasonable for an equivalent opening eccentricity parameter up to 40%. Slab stiffness had a reduced impact on the studied walls with openings, but it was important for low-rise walls, impacting more average lateral displacements of walls when they are more flexible and when openings are asymmetric.