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I need help with my confusion about modal mass participation ratios. 3

AzzA16

Civil/Environmental
Oct 18, 2024
2
Dear everyone,

I am modeling a five-story building and I am confused because I keep getting similar modal mass participation ratios along the x and y directions in the first mode. 26% along the x direction and 44% along the y direction. While these numbers are not exactly the same, the difference is usually quite large. Is this normal, or is there something I need to address?
Screenshot_2024-10-18_163504_qvlpw0.png
 
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I think it is kinda normal, but I would suggest to reduce your number of modes.
 
Having different modal mass participation ratios along x and y directions can be normal depending on various factors related to your building’s design and modeling approach. It’s essential to ensure that your model is accurate and reflects real-world conditions while also considering both directional responses during any dynamic analysis.

 
Those modes with small mass participation factors are local vibrations. The local vibrations do not affect dynamic analysis and design f the structure as a whole. You can not model those members in your FEA to facilitate dynamic analysis.

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Shu Jiang, SE (Nevada). PE(Michigan, South Dakota,Missouri,Oregon), PEng (Ontario)
 
Thank you for all the help, guys!!. but maybe out of the subject a little bit, how do I know if my model is accurate and reflect real world condition
 
AzzA16 said:
Thank you for all the help, guys!!. but maybe out of the subject a little bit, how do I know if my model is accurate and reflect real world condition

Show the details of your building and its lateral system to a trusted, senior engineer and see if your results matches their expectation.
 
X and Y are your two horizontal directions, right?

When you have a mode that has similar mass participation in BOTH direction, it just means that this mode is probably something of a Torsional mode rather than being a pure flexural model in the X or Y direction. Pure flexural modes, of course, would have mass participation that is almost entirely in one direction.

It's not necessarily anything to worry about.

FWIW, I always find it helpful to view the mode shapes to get a better sense of what's happening with that mode.
 

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