Interstory Drift effect on multi-story wall panels
Interstory Drift effect on multi-story wall panels
(OP)
Can anyone elaborate on the effects of interstory drift on multi-story wall panels, i.e. "components and cladding"? I am involved in the design and fabrication of prefabricated wall panels (generally light gage steel frames with a variety of finishes, i.e. brick, EIFS, GFRC, etc.) that typically measure 10' wide by 30'-40' tall. Our projects are generally east coast USA.
The effects of interstory drift over multiple floors is of concern, but this information is often not provided in the plans, nor even calculated for the Eastern US. Performing a complex analysis is out of the question for a subcontractor such as us.
ASCE 7-98 9.5.3.7 and BOCA 1996 1610.4.5.1 both touch on the subject, but I am not sure how to best apply this to a wall panel system system. The full effect of following this procedure is very difficult to apply to a wall panel without becoming prohibitively expensive.
Has anyone experienced similar design problems and can you elaborate on a way to address this? Has anyone seen how multi-story wall panels respond to a seismic event?
The effects of interstory drift over multiple floors is of concern, but this information is often not provided in the plans, nor even calculated for the Eastern US. Performing a complex analysis is out of the question for a subcontractor such as us.
ASCE 7-98 9.5.3.7 and BOCA 1996 1610.4.5.1 both touch on the subject, but I am not sure how to best apply this to a wall panel system system. The full effect of following this procedure is very difficult to apply to a wall panel without becoming prohibitively expensive.
Has anyone experienced similar design problems and can you elaborate on a way to address this? Has anyone seen how multi-story wall panels respond to a seismic event?





RE: Interstory Drift effect on multi-story wall panels
If you absolutely cannot get this info from the engineer, then you are stuck with presuming the building will drift the maximum allowed by the code.
RE: Interstory Drift effect on multi-story wall panels
RE: Interstory Drift effect on multi-story wall panels
Thus if your story height is 10 ft, then the panels should be able to accomodate a shear deformation of 0.6 inches in their plane. I think this would be enough.