Distribution of shear to the columns of short multistorey building frames subjected to lateral loads

Approximate solutions for multistorey buildings subjected to lateral loads are accepted in lieu of exact analysis by some Engineers. For short building frames in which panel distortion (shear mode) is predominant, the approximate method used is the Improved portal method. This method has been propounded for finding column shears based on a principle widely accepted on its intrinsic merit. However, this maxim has a minor defect, i.e., it gives rise to zero axial forces in the interior columns which is contrary to the actual physical lateral deformation behaviour of the building. In this paper, a new approach is put forward for the determination of shear in columns, which eliminates the flow of the Improved portal method and at the same time yields results close to that of the Improved portal method. The proposed method is scientific as it is founded on a principle depending on the principal flexibility influence co-efficients. It is a valid and useful addition to the Improved portal method.