LATERAL LOAD RESPONSE OF SETBACK SHEAR WALL BUILDINGS

The effect of setbacks on the lateral load response of symmetric and asymmetric high-rise shear wall buildings is investigated. It is shown that the shear deformation of walls and in-plane flexibility of floor slabs appreciably affect the distribution of lateral loads among the walls in the vicinity of the setback. On the whole, these effects are beneficial in that they slow the transfer of moments and shear forces from the tower walls to the base end walls. Simple strength of materials models and procedures are used, which are shown to be in satisfactory agreement with finite element analyses. The results of a parametric study are presented in graphical form together with several numerical examples. Finally, plane grid models are used to analyse setback buildings since they can easily consider most of the important parameters, including lesser effects such as the torsional rigidity of walls and slabs.