34.7 - Vertical Distribution of Base Shear
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Practice Questions
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What does lateral force mean in the context of seismic design?
💡 Hint: Think about how buildings respond when shaken.
Define storey shear in simple terms.
💡 Hint: Consider what happens to weight and force at different heights.
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Interactive Quizzes
Quick quizzes to reinforce your learning
What is the primary purpose of calculating lateral forces in seismic design?
💡 Hint: Think about why we need buildings to withstand earthquakes.
True or False: Storey shear is only a concern in buildings above 10 stories.
💡 Hint: Recall that all structures need to withstand lateral forces.
1 more question available
Challenge Problems
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A six-storey building has the following weights and heights: Storey 1: 50 kN (2m), Storey 2: 70 kN (3m), Storey 3: 80 kN (4m), Storey 4: 90 kN (4m), Storey 5: 100 kN (5m), Storey 6: 110 kN (5m). Calculate the lateral force at Storey 4 given a base shear of 350 kN.
💡 Hint: Remember to sum the forces properly.
Discuss the implications of ignoring storey shear in a tall building. What failure modes might occur?
💡 Hint: Consider how well the bottom can support the top.
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