Wind Forces on Structures: Fundamental Considerations

Recent research efforts utilizing high-speed digital computers and electric analogs have indicated vast differences between design and code values for structures and their actual earthquake shears and behavior. This paper attempts to reconcile these differences with the aid of comprehensive structural and dynamic analyses and research efforts on two office buildings–one the traditional filler-wall type and the other a modern glass-wall structure. Included are strengths, rigidities, and energy-absorption values for the former building under various distortions up to failure and also the results of a comprehensive series of analog tests for the modern 20-story structure using four complete earthquake records with 16 various systems of damping and rigidity values. Certain inconsistencies and pitfalls in present-day design practice are demonstrated and new considerations are suggested for resisting the occasional but extreme energy releases of Nature.