Uniform Shear Buildings under the Effect of Gravity Loads

Abstract

Gravity loads play an important role in the linear and nonlinear behavior of buildings during earthquakes. They can also be the cause of ultimate collapse of the structures. In this study, the governing equation of continuous uniform shear buildings under the effects gravity loads is derived and eigenfrequencies, displacement, and drift mode shapes are obtained by eigenanalysis. It is shown that how the geometric properties of the structure affect the fundamental oscillation period and response of the building. Inclusion of the effects of the gravity loads makes the solution of the governing differential equation dependent on the Bessel functions of the first and second kind. The modal load and mass equations are solved using the orthogonality relations of Bessel functions. Effects of gravity on displacement and drift behavior of shear buildings on soft soils and rock subjected to limited near-fault earthquake excitations are shown.