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4-1981
Centre of Rigidity Concept and its Application to
the Static and Dynamic Analysis of Multi-Story
Buildings
David Ngai Shing Chan
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Recommended Citation
Chan, David Ngai Shing, "Centre of Rigidity Concept and its Application to the Static and Dynamic Analysis of Multi-Story Buildings"
(1981). Open Access Dissertations and Teses. Paper 2856.
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CENTRE OF RIGIUITY CONCEPT AND ITS APPLICATION
TO ~ STATIC AND DYNAMIC ANALYSIS
OF MULTI-STORY BUILDINGS
,..
by
\..
Davi.d Ngal Shing Chan
B. Eng. (Civil)
A Thesis
Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies.
in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements
for the Degree
Master of ~ n g i n e e r i n g
McMaster University
April 1981
,
.
lr

--
MASTER OF (1981)
(Civil Engineering and
Engineering Mechanics)
McMASTER
Hamilton, Ontario
TITLE:
jt
"
Centre of Rigidity Concept and
Application to ,the Static and Dynamic
Analysis of
AUTHOR:
" I
"
David Ngai Shing Chan,
B.Eng. (McMaster University)
SUPERVISORS: Dr. W.K. Tso and Dr. Heidebrecht
NUMBER OF PAGES: xv, 125
, ,
ABSTRACT
. The pbject of this investigation is to establish
'-
a method of determining the locus of. centres of
rigidity of an asymmetric multi-story
structure, which can be applied to determine, with
, acceptable' accuracy, thE?, shea r .for c e sin the
in a static or dynamic analysis.
Based on a more general definition for the
centre of rigidity within a particular story of w
multi-story building structure, a method is develC?ped
for the evaluation of the of centres of rigidity
of a multi-story building structure.' Other existing
methods are also discussed. It has found that the
locus of centres of rigidity is not only a fupction of
the structural properties but also a function of the
distribution of lateral forces acting on the m.ulti-
story building structure. It has also been shown that
for a building structure of panels which are
dispropor.tional in stiffness, the traditional method
p
.. which only the structural elements in an isolated
story is considered for the determination of the centre
'
of rigidity within that story) do give a satis-
estimation of the locus of centres of rigidity.
f.
l\-
iii
\
...
The appl i cabi 1 i ty of the locus 'Of cen tres of
rigidity' to the evaluation of the shear forces in the
load-resisting' panels in a static, analysis is
'investigated. - Based on the results of this inve.sti-
,gation, methods of determining the panel. shear forces
in a static analysis are recommended for various types
of building structures.
The applicability of the locus of centres of
rigidity to the evaluation of the paner shear forces in
a anafysis using a three
model is also studied. The results of this study show
that the of the panel shear in a
frame buildin9 structure obtained by using the model,
agrees well with that obtained by using a three-
.
dimensional frame program. The model can only'
. d h'" f th . t d f h
provl e a roug estlmatlon 0 e magnl u e 0 t e
panel shear forces. \
iv
\.
I
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Q
The author wtshes to his sincere
gratitude tc his research supervisors"Dr. W.K. T50 and
, .
Dr. A.C. Heidebrecht, for their suggestions, guidance
and encouragement throughout the, course of this
"
research work.
The author also wishes to thank Dr. W.K. Tso,
former Chairman and Dr. R.G. Drysdale, Chairman of the
Department of Civil Eng ineering, for making available
to him the scholarship and teaching
Special thanks are due to Mr. E. Chu for his
invaluable advice on computer graphics, Miss K.A. 'Hugh
Sam for her useful suggestions on report-writing, and
Ms. N.M. Sine the Facufty of Engineering Word
Processing Centre for her skillful typing of this
thesis.
The. author wishes to dedicate this work to his
parents whose encouragement, -support and understanding
are gratefully appTeciated. Thank you, Mom and Dad.
v
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
ABSTRACT
iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF
!tIST OF TABLES
v
vi
v,i i i
xv
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER, 2
INTRODUCTION
1.,'1 General ,
1.2 Literature Review
1.3 Objective and Scope
-,
STRUCTURAL
1
1
3
7
10
2.1
2.2
Application of Meng's Model to
a Multi-Story Structure
Structural Modelling.
10
13
CHAPTER 3
LOCUS OF CENTRES OF RIGIDITY OF A
MULTI-STORY BUILDING STRUCTURE
25
3.1 Existing Methods of Evaluation 25
3.1.1 Traditional Methoa 25
3.1.2 Improved Traditional 28
Method
3.1.3 General Method Specified 29
in New Zealand Standard
NZS 4203:1976
3.2 Proposed Exact 30
3.3 Factors Affecting the Locus of 34
Centres of Rigidity
vi
..
. t
CHAPTER,4
TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont'd)
STATIC ANALY,SIS OF A MULTI-STORY
BUILDING STRUCTURE
53
4.1 Method of the Static Analysis 53
4.2 Panel Shear 'Forces by the . 57
S (3 tic A.n a1ysis .
CHAPTER 5 DYNAMIC ANALYSIS OF A MULTI-STORY
BUILDING STRUCTURE .
85
5.1 Modified Meng's Model - A Three 85
Degree-of-Freedom Dynamic Model
5.2 Panel Shear ForGes Obtained by 87
the Modified Meng's Model
5.3 Comparison Obtained 98
by Using the Static Analysis
--
CHAPTER 6 CONCLUSIONS

APPENDIX I MENG'S MATHE,ATICAL MODEL
vii
106
110
115
LIST OF FIGURES
Page'
FIGURE 2.1
FIGURE 2.2
Comparison of the Deflection Shapes
of the Example Frame Described in
Tabl'e 2.1
DeformedInterior Intermediate St6iy
of a Frame Subjected to a
Load at Top
12
14
FIGURE 2.3 beformed Beam AB, $ubjected
to a Bending Moment at B
FIGURE 2.4' Deformed Interior Bottom Story of a
Frame SUbjepted to a Point Load
at Top
14
18
FIGURE 3.1
FIGURE 3.2
FIGURE 3.3
Plan View of the ith Story of a
Multi-Story Frame Building Structure
Force-Resisting Panels Connected
by Rigid Bars for the Determination
of the Locus of Centres of Rigidity
\
Coeffi,cients for the ith'
Floor Level, Obtained by
a Un i t Fo r ceor a ,Un i t Momentat
the Reference Point of ith Floor
Level
26
26
31
FIGURE 3..4
FIGURE 3.5
'"\IGURE 3.,6
The Lateral Force and Torsional 31
Moment at the Reference Axis,or the
Centre Qf Rigidity Within the ith

Sketch of the Ten-Story Building 37
Structure with Set-Backs Referenced
in Table 3.1

Comparison of Loci of Centres of 38

Rigidity Obtained by Various MethOQS
of Evaluation for Case 1 in Table 3.1
viii
LIST OF FIGURES (cont'd)
FIGURE 3.7 Comparison of Loci of Centres of 39
Rigidity Obtained by Various Methods
of Evaluation for Case 2 in Table 3.1
FIGURE 3.8 Comparison of Loci of Centres of 40
Rigidity Obtained by Various Methods
of Evaluation for Case 3 in Table 3.1
3.9 Comparison of Loci of Centres of 41
Obtained by Various
of Evaluation for Case 4 in Table 3.1
I '
FIGURE 3.10 Comparison of-Lcci of of 42
Rigidity Obtained by Various Methods
of ,Evaluation for Case 5 in Table 3.1
FIGURE 3.11 of Loci of Centres of 43
Rigidity Obtained by Various,Methods
of Evaluation for Case 6 in Table 3.1
FIGURE 3.12 Comparison of ,Loci of Centres of 44
Rigidity Obtained by Various Methods
of, Ev a 1 uat ion for Ca s e 7 in Ta b1e 3. 1
FIGURE 3.13 Comparison of of of 45
Rigidity Obtained by Various Methods
of Evaluation for Case 8' in Table 3.1
51
50 Comparison of Lociof Centres of
Rigidity by Using the New Zealand
Standard (Extensible Columns Assumed)
and Various Distributions of Lateral
Forces for Case 6 in Table 3.1
Comparison of Loci of Centres of
- Rigidity by Using the New'Zealand
Standard Assumed)
and Various Distributions of Lateral
Forces 'for Case 7 in Table 3.1
\
FIGURE 3.15
FI GURE 3.14
FIGURE 4.1 The Lateral Force and Torsional I
Moment at the Centre of Rigidity
Within the ith Story
54
ix
FIGURE 4.2
FIGURE 4.3
.
LIST OF FIGURES (cont'd)
Comparison of Panel Bhear Forces
Obtained by Various Methods of
Evaluation of Locus of Centres of
Rigidity aQd Relative Panel
Stiffnesses for Case 1 in Tabie 3.1
. ,
Comparison of Panel Shear Forces
Obtained by Various Methods of
Evaluation of Locus of Centres of
Rigidity and Relative Panel
Stiffnesses for Case 2 in Table 3.1
58
5!l
4.4 Comparison of Panel Forces
-Obtained by Various Methods of
Evaluation_ Q.I_LoGUs _Qf .Centres of
Rigidity and Relative Panel
Stiffnesses for Case 3 1n Table 3.1
60
0'
FIGURE 4.5 Comparison of Panel Shear Forces 61
Obtained by Various Methods 'bf )
Evaluation of Locus of Centres of
Rigidity and Relative Panel
Stiffnesses for Case 4 in Table 3.1
FIGURE 4.6 Comparison of Panel Shear Forces 62
Obtained by Various Methods of
Evaluation of Locus of Centres of
Rigidity and Relative Panel
Stiffnesses for Case 5 in Table 3.1
FIGURE 4.7 Comparison of Panel Shea'r Forces 63
Obtained by Various Methods of
of Locus of Centres of
Figidity and Relative Panel
Stiffnesses for Case 6 in Table 3.1
FIGURE 4.8 Comparison of Panel Shear Forces 64
Obtained oy Various Methods of
Evaluation of Locus of Centres of
Rigidity and Relative Panel
Stiffnesses for Case 7 in Table 3.1
FIGURE 4.9 Comparison of Panel Shear Forces 65
. Obtained by Various,Methods of
Evaluation of Locus of Centres of
Rigidity and Relative Panel
Stiffnesses Eor Case 8 in Table 3.1
r
LIST OF FIGURES (cont'd)
FIGURE 4.10 Comparison of Panel Shear Forces 66
Obtained by various Methods of
Evaluation of Locus of Centres of
Rigiditt Relative Panel
Stiffnegses for, Case 1 in T!-ble 3.1
FIGURE 4.11 Comparison, of Panel Sh-ear Forces 67
Obtained by Va r ious 14ethods' of
Evaluation of Locus of Ce'ntres of
')
Rigidity and Relative Panel
"-
Stiffnesses for Case 2 in Table 3.1
, ,
----
FI GURE
---4-;-:1 "2 Comparison of Panel Shear Forces 68
Obtained by of -
Evaluation of of Centres of
Rig id i ty and Relative Panel
Stiff(lesses for Ca$e 3 in Table 3.1
of'
FIGURE 4.13 Comparison of Panel Shear Forces 69
Obtained by Var ious Methods of
Evaluation of Lo..e-us of Centres of
Rig id i ty and Relative P.anel
Stiffnesses for Case 4. in Table 3.1

FIGURE 4.14 Comparison of ,Panel Shear Forces 70

Obtained by Various Methods of
Evaluation of Loc !-IS of Centres of
Rig id i ty and Relative Panel
Stiffnesses for Case 5 in Table 3.1
FIGURE 4.15 Comparison of Panel Shear Forces 71
Obtained by Various Methods of
Evaluation of Locus of Centres of
Rigidity and Relative paneJ
Stiffnesses for Case 6 in Table 3.1
<,
t FIGURE 4.16 Comparison Pan-el Shear Fo rces 72
Obtained by Various Methods of" .
Eval ua t-i on of Locus of Centres of
Rigidity and Relative Panel
Stiffnesses for Case 7 in Table 3.1
FIGURE 4.17 Comparison of Panel Shear Fo rces 73
Obtained by 'Various Methods of
Evaluation of Locus of Cen.tres of
Rigidity and Relat ive
Stiffnesses for Case 8 in'Table 3.1
xi
LIST OF FIGURES (cont'd)
FIGURE 4.18 Comparison of Fanel Shear Forces 79
for the Case in which the Moments
of Inertia of the Columns in Panel 3
Equal Two Times those 01 the
Corresponding Columns in 1
FIGURE 4.19 Comparison of Panel Shear Forces 80
for the Case in which the Moments
of Inertia of the Columns in Panel 3
Equal ,Two Times thpse of the
Corresponding Columns in.... Panel 1
FIGURE 4.20 Comparison 'of Panel Shear Forces 81
Obtained by Various Methods of
Evaluating the Moment
Within a Story for Case 6 in
* 3.1

FIGURE 4.21 Comparison of Panel Shear Forces

Obtained by Various Methods of
Evaluating the Torsional Moment
Wit h ina Stor y for Ca s e 4' i. n
Table 3.1

83
FIGURE 5.1 Comparison of Panel Shear 88
Obtained by 'Applying Various "
of Evaluation in the Modified Meng's
and Normalized with Respect to
the Stor Shear Force by
Three-Dimensional Dynamic Frame Program
in SAP IV for Case 1 in Table 3.f
'FIGURE 5.2 Comparison of panel Shear Forces 89
Obtained .by Applying Various Methods
of "Evaluation in the Meng's
Model and Normalized with Respect tQ
the Story Shear Force Obtaihed by the
. Frame Program
in SAP 'IV for Case 2 in Table 3.1 '
FIGURE 5.3 Comparison of Panel Shear 90'
Obtained by Applying Various Methods
'of Evaluation in the Modified Meng's
Model and with Respect to
the Story Shear Obtained by the
Three-Dimensional Dynamic Frame Program
in SAP IV for Case 3 in Table 3.1
xii
FIGURE 5.. 4
FIGURE 5.5
FIGURE 5.6
fIGURE 5.7
FIGURE 5.8
,
..
LIST OF FIGURES (cont'd)
-
of Panel Shear 'Forces 91
Obtained by Applying Various Methods
of in the-Modified Meng's
Model and Normalized with Respect to
the Story Shear Force Oatained by the
Three-Dimensional Dynamic Frame Program
in SAP IV Case 4 in Table
Comparison of Panel Shear Forces 92
Obtained by Applying Various Methods
of Evaluation in the Modified Meng's
Model and Normalized with Respect to
the Story Shear Force Obtained by the
Three-Dimensional Dynamic Frqme Program
in SAP IV for Case 5 in Table 3.1
Comparison of Panel Shear Forces' 93
Obtained by Applying Various Methods
of Evaluation in the Modified Meng's
Model and Normalized with Respect to
the Story Shear Force Obtained by the
Three-Dimensional Dynamic Frame .program
in SAP IV for Case 6 in Table 3.1
Compa rison of Panel Shear Forces, 95
Obtainea by Applying Various Methods
of .Evaluation in the Modified Meng's
Model and Normalized with Respect to
the Story Shear Force Obtained by the
Same Method of Evaluation in the
Modified Meng's Model for Case 1 in
Table 3.1
Comparison of Panel Shear Forces 96
Obtained by Applying Various
of Evaluation in the Meng's
Model and Normalized with to
the Story Shear Force Obtained by the
Same Method of Evaluation in the -
Modified Meng's Model for Case 6 in
Table 3.1
x-i ii
/
,,'
/
\
LIST OF FIGURES (cont'd)
FIGURE ~ Comparison of Panel Shear Forces 100
Obtained. by Applying Various Methods
of Evaluation in t ~ e Static Analysis
and Normalized with Respect to the
Story Shear Forc Obtained by the
Same Method of Evaluation in the
Static Analysis for Case 1 in Table 3.1
FIGURE 5.10 Comparison of Panel Shear Forces 101
Obtained by Applying Various Methods
of Evaluation in the Static Analysis
and Normalized with Respect to the
Story Shear Force Obtained by the
Same Method of Evaluation in .the
Static Analysis for Case 3 in Table 3.1
FIGURE 5.11 Comparison of Panel Shear Forces 102
Obtained by Applying Various Methods
of Evaluation in the Static Analysis
and Normalized with Respect to the
Story Shear Force Obtained by the
Same Method of Evaluation in the
Static Analysis for Case 6 in Table 3.1
FIGURE 5.12 Comparison of Panel Shear Forces 103
Obtained by Applying Various Methods
of Evaluation in the Static Analysis
and Normalized with Respect to the
Story Shear Force Obtained by the
Same Method of Evaluation in the
Static Analysis for Case 7 in Table 3.1
FIGURE I.l Flexural and Shear Springs 116
FIGURE I.2
FIGURE I.3
FIGURE I.4
FIGURE I.5
FIGURE I.6
Shear and Flexural Deformations
of Wall Structure

Shear and Flexural Deformatlons
of Frame Structure
Relationship of Geometry and Forces
of Multi-Degree-of-Freedom Unit
Spatial Spring Model
Geometric Relations of Arbitrary
Point and Centres of Mass and
Rigidity
xiv
118
118
120
123
124
LIST OF TABLES
Page
TABLE 2.1 Properties of the Example Frame '11

TAgLE 2.2 Applied Lateral Forcesfor Different 21

Values of r
TABLE 2.3 Deflection Characteristics of the 22
Example Frame for Different Values
of r (Cl. = 2/3 h Assumed)
TABLE 2.4 Deflection Characteristics of the 23
Example Plane Warl for Different
Values of r
TABLE 3.1 Member Propertie$ of Panel 3 of the 36
Types of Building Structures Studied
TABLE 4.1 Recommended Methods Used in the Static 84
Ana1ysis for' the Eva1ua t ion 0 f the
Panel Shear Forces in Various Types
of Building Structures SUbjected to
Static Lateral Forces
TABLE 5.1 Recommended Methods used in 105
Conjunction with the Modified Meng's
Model for the Evaluation of the Panel
Shear Forces in Various Types of
Building Structures Subjected
Earthquake Excitation
,;
xv