Research Information System
Proceedings of 3rd International Civil Engineering and Architecture Congress (ICEARC’23), Trabzon, Turkey, 12 - 14 October 2023, vol.1, pp.1203-1208, (Full Text)
Purpose: Since there exist several methods to determine the rigidity center of buildings, the aim of this study is to
understand the difference between the methods and determine the reliable method via experiment.
Study design/methodology/approach: 4 buildings were taken into account: 2 symmetrical and 2 asymmetrical. All
the buildings were scaled and built in the laboratory. Columns were built from balsa wood whereas slabs and
foundations were of MDF. Each building was rotated 90 degrees and tested under its own weight using a specially
designed test setup. Displacements at each floor level were recorded and rigidity centers of the buildings were
calculated accordingly. Following the experimental study buildings were 3d modeled and analyzed with the common
software used in structural analysis.
Findings: No significant difference was observed in experimental results and analytical results although they follow
different approaches. However, in asymmetric buildings significant differences were observed. The approach
considering the resultant shear force of the vertical load carrying members seem to be consistent with the experimental
results.
Originality/value: There is no significant experimental study regarding the rigidity center of buildings. Considering the
significant difference of the rigidity center location in asymmetrical buildings, the reliable method to evaluate the
rigidity center was sought. To find the reliable method a special test setup was prepared. This test setup is original, and
it is successful because experimental results were found to be consistent to the analytical method taking the resultant
shear force into account.