ETABS placing wind load on line elements or on each diaphragm pros and cons.

[serrojo]

Hello everyone,

I am working with a structural engineer form other company and I am having a hard time to convince him to place the wind loads as concentrated in the diaphragm.

I have the impression that there are losses of load when the horizontal load is defined on lines.

Could you give some insight based on your experiences, is it same or there are great/small differences?

Thanks in advance.



MSc. Eng. Serguei Joa
Structural Engineer
Bouygues Batiment International, Cuba.

 

[JasonMcKee71]

If diaphragms are rigid, then the global behaviour of the structure by applying the loads on diaphragm centers is exactly same as to apply them on lines.
Global behaviour = floor drifts and displacements
The only difference would be in case of designing each column separately (local behaviour) so in that case individual checks may be required.

Jason McKee
proud R&D Manager of
Cross Section Analysis & Design
Software for the structural design of cross sections
Moment Curvature Analysis
Interaction Diagrams
Reinforcement Design etc.

 

[serrojo]

@JasonMcKee71

Thank you for your response, additional to you statement: In case of designing the cladding or glass curtain-wall, I would place the wind load of the edge of the slab to get the wind forces locally.

Best regards!


MSc. Eng. Serguei Joa
Structural Engineer
Bouygues Batiment International, Cuba.