Steel LFRS - Rigid Diaphragm Analysis - Wind Loads

Description of Software Tool:

Excel Software Tools (Primary and Secondary) are provided for determination of Wind loads to Steel Lateral Force Resisting System (LFRS) elements in Simple Buildings assuming Rigid Diaphragm Analysis (RDA) assumptions, where loads are distributed to resisting elements according to their relative stiffness and location away from the Center of Rotation (COR) of the rigid diaphragm.

Wind loads are assumed transferred by a Rigid Diaphragm (RC Slab or topped steel deck) at Floor Levels in a building per RDA assumptions to up to 32 Steel MWFRS elements in both orthogonal directions within the specified diaphragm; steel elements can be Braced Frames whose stiffness is derived elsewhere (SCBF’s, EBF’s, etc), or Wide Flange (WF) Columns in a Special Moment Resisting Frame (SMRF) whose stiffness is derived internally.

The Primary software tool consists of eight separate worksheets, for which data is provided by the User in the first three worksheets to define the Steel building and wind loads in both orthogonal directions; results are then provided (for a single Floor Level) in the last five worksheets (column shear forces, displacements, over-turning forces, summary, member forces, roof uplift).  A second software tool is used to verify ASCE Drift requirements for the entire building.

The Primary Software Tool consist of the following Analysis Worksheets included within:

• 1. Wind Story Forces - Lateral;

• 2. WF Shapes and Columns Splices;

• 3. Wind RDA Shear Forces;

• 4. RDA Displacements;

• 5. RDA Axial OT Forces;

• 6. RDA Results Summary;

• 7. SMRF Member Demands;

• 8. Roof Axial Forces;

The Secondary Software Tool consist only of a single Worksheet:

• Bldg Deformations;

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