Statistical analysis of second order effects variation with the stories height of reinforced concrete buildings

Abstract In this paper the simplified method to evaluate final efforts using γ z coefficient is studied considering the variation of the second order effects with the height of the buildings. With this purpose, several reinforced concrete buildings of medium height are analyzed in first and second order using ANSYS software. Initially, it was checked that the (z coefficient should be used as magnifier of first order moments to evaluate final second order moments. Therefore, the study is developed considering the relation (final second order moments/ first order moments), calculated for each story of the structures. This moments relation is called magnifier of first order moments, "γ", and, in the ideal situation, it must coincide with the γ z value. However, it is observed that the reason γ /γ z varies with the height of the buildings. Furthermore, using an statistical analysis, it was checked that γ /γ z relation is generally lower than 1.05 and varies significantly in accordance with the considered building and with the presence or not of symmetry in the structure.