Walls offset vertically

[SLawlor]

I am modelling a buidling which has an irregular shape and many offset walls both parallel to each other and along their length (i.e. a wall which is longer or shorter than a wall above or below for the second case). Does ETABS automatically understand a connection between two walls of 300mm width offset by 100mm parallel to each other or is it required to use some method to "tell" ETABS of the connection such as using wall offsets. if anybody could help it would be appreciated.

Steven

 

[slickdeals]

ETABS has a line constraint that works very well. However, I personally like to mesh my walls so that there is nodal connectivity between the various offsets and a defined path for load transfer.

For walls offset in plan, you need to make sure that the slab connecting them is properly meshed in order for shear transfer to take place properly. I would recommend using a semi-rigid diaphragm instead of a rigid diaphragm.