C4. Modeling the non-structural elements or equipment

C4. Modeling the non-structural elements or equipment

Non-structural elements and equipment are elements that do not play any structural role in the behavior of the structure. Three cases can be distinguished:

Equipment/Non-structural element

Negligible mass

Significant mass

Reliable stiffness 

Not considered

Mass to include

Significant stiffness

Stiffness to model

Mass and stiffness to model

For seismic analyses, it is important to ensure that the element will not resonate with the supporting structure. The following publications are useful references to identify when the element/structure interaction should be considered in the model.

AFPS proposal to know when to consider the dynamic interaction between non-structural elements/equipment and the structure (Recommendations AFPS90, 1993).

Legend :

Note: depending on the direction studied, the mass of the supporting structure may be limited to the support floor only (for more details, refer to the documents mentioned above).

For seismic calculations of buildings, non-structural elements (such as partition walls) must be considered when modeling the structure as they are likely to modify its transverse stiffness. These elements may be subjected to justifications such as in EC8-1, Article 4.3.6 for framing with masonry infill.

It may also be necessary to remove small elements in a model intended for modal analysis.

 


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Créé 19 September 2023 15:53:56 par Paul Terrasson Duvernon
Mis à jour 19 September 2023 16:07:23 par Paul Terrasson Duvernon