Simplified Analysis of Staggered Wall-beam Frames

Simplified analyses of wall-beam frames, based on previously determined equivalent member stiffnesses, are given. The analyses are based on two approaches: (i) using the methods of difference calculus and (ii) using the continuum method, commonly used in shear wall analysis, in which the beams connecting the columns are replaced by a continuous connecting medium. It is shown that the analyses using difference and differential calculus are equivalent if an approximation of the column bending is introduced. Comparison of the proposed approximate methods with exact skeletal analysis shows excellent agreement. One conclusion of practical importance is that many analyses applied to shear walls, and available in the literature, may be applied to wall-beam frames as well. It is suggested that in many cases it is possible in practice to neglect the column bending stiffness altogether and details of an analysis based on this assumption are also given.