Cost effective lateral force resisting concrete frame designs for low, mid and high rise buildings

With high demand for concrete material in the building market, the goal of Portland Cement Association has be-en to increase the market share of concrete usage by promoting lateral force resisting (LFR) framing systems (moment-resisting and shearwall) in concrete structures. The selection criteria of LFR framing should be based on the importance factors and cost estimation, as cost-effectiveness has become a benchmark in the design indu-stry. In the review, the parameters (column dimensions, slab thickness, floor systems, live loads, bay sizes and aspect ratio) for developing cost-effective LFR framing model are discussed. In addition, the variables, constra-ints, properties of structural members, designs and cost estimations of the framing systems associated with apar-tment buildings are also analyzed. The preferred LFR framing system should meet drift requirements at lower cost. Moment resisting frames are commonly used for low-to mid- rise buildings, while shearwalls are best suit-ed for high-rise structures.