Flexible Diaphragm Shear Wall Analysis

Description of Software Tool:

The above referenced Excel Software Tool is provided for the determination (analysis) of lateral loads (Wind or Earthquake) transferred at Lateral Force Resisting System (LFRS) Gridlines by floor diaphragms to Shear Walls (or steel SMRF’s, steel panels, or other LFRS elements) assuming Flexible Diaphragm Assumptions (FDA). These lateral loads are transferred from the roof down to the foundation at building lines of resistance, to determine LFRS element and collector loads at every floor level.

Flexible Diaphragm Assumptions (i.e. wood framed floor, untopped steel deck, etc) assume that each LFRS Gridline (line of resistance) takes half the load to the adjacent LFRS Gridline on either side of it (analogous to beam reactions, where interior supports take 2x that of exterior supports), independent of wall stiffness. The lateral forces at each floor level are distributed by wall segments per floor level from one floor level to the one below, down the building until walls end on a stepped foundation or at the ground (lowest) floor. Gravity loads are not considered in this software tool.

Results shown for the chosen LFRS Gridline includes shear wall demands, drag strut or collector loads, diaphragm shear, and Drifts at all specified floor levels of the building cross section chosen.

The following Software Tools are included:

• FDA Shear Wall Loads (4 Story Template);

• FDA Shear Wall Drifts (4 Story Template);

• FDA Shear Wall Loads (6 Story Template);

• FDA Shear Wall Drifts (6 Story Template);

Users Guide to Software Tool - Page 1 (Brief Description)