Effective Width of Floor Systems for Application in Seismic Analysis

Effective width coefficients for floor systems have been developed for use in the analysis of frames subjected to lateral seismic loads. The results cover a wide range of the governing nondimensional parameters, and are applicable to floor slabs with supporting beams as well as to flat slabs. The effective width coefficients were derived from a parametric study of typical interior panels of floor systems using elastic finite element analysis. An example of the application of the use of the results in seismic analysis of low-rise building frames is presented.National Science Foundation Grants ENV 77-07190 and PFR 80-0258