ABSTRACT
The preliminary design of multi-story building structures to resist lateral loads due to earthquake and wind is investigated. It is attempted to gain a qualitative understanding of the influence of bending and shear stiffness distribution on the response of such structures. It is observed that the conventional stiffness distribution, dictated by strength constraints, is not the best to satisfy deflection criteria in the case of flexible braced frames. This suggests that a new approach to the design of such frames may be appropriate when serviceability governs.
