Seismic Evaluation Of Tall Buildings With Shear Walls And Soft Stories

Abstract

This study evaluates the seismic response of a G+15 reinforced concrete framed commercial building under different shear wall and soft-storey configurations using ETABS. Eight structural models were examined, including a fully infilled baseline frame, shear wall configurations at corners and along principal directions, a corner-plus-core wall system, soft-storey arrangements at lower and intermediate levels, and a combined soft-storey model retrofitted with shear walls and a core wall. Equivalent Static Method, Response Spectrum Analysis and Time History Analysis were used to compare fundamental time period, design seismic base shear, inter-storey drift and storey displacement under Seismic Zone IV conditions. The results show that structural configuration strongly influences stiffness and lateral response. The corner-plus-core wall configuration showed the shortest fundamental period, while soft-storey arrangements increased deformation demand. Model 6 recorded the highest storey displacement, and soft-storey cases concentrated drift at irregular levels. The study confirms that strategic shear wall placement and core wall integration improve lateral stiffness, control drift and reduce the vulnerability associated with vertical stiffness irregularities in tall RC framed buildings.