Analysis of spatial real buildings by discrete force method

A discrete force approach is presented for the analysis of a three-dimensional tall building structure that consists of assemblies of complex shear walls. Both static and elasto-plastic analyses of the buildings of non-uniform sections on either rigid or flexible foundation are considered. The soil and structure were coupled by imposing compatibility conditions along the discrete force method interfaces. The solution of the compatibility conditions provides the redundant shear forces at the assumed contraflexural positions and the stress resultant solution is completed by statical considerations. The displacement solution corresponding to the stress resultants is then evaluated using the linear elasticity assumption. The elasto-plastic condition is restricted to the connecting beams using a convenient bi-linear model for the force formulation. Numerical solutions of examples are presented at the end to demonstrate the accuracy of the proposed technique