A sound and more modern Eurocode-based approach to design is the global approach, where the structures are considered as whole units, rather than to use traditional element-based design procedures. Although large frameworks and even whole buildings are now routinely analysed using computer packages, structural engineers do not always understand complex three-dimensional behaviour and thus manipulate the stiffness and the location of the bracing units to achieve an optimum structural arrangement.

This guide deals with two categories of multi-storey structures. It can be used for the plane stress, stability and frequency analysis of individual bracing units such as frameworks, coupled shear walls and cores. In addition, and perhaps more importantly, it can be used for the three dimensional stress, stability and frequency analysis of whole buildings consisting of such bracing units. The closed-form solutions in the book may also prove to be useful at the preliminary design stage when quick checks are needed with different structural arrangements. Their usefulness cannot be overemphasized for checking the results of a finite element (computer-based) analysis when the input procedure involves tens of thousands of items of data and where mishandling one item of data may have catastrophic consequences.

In addition to the critical load, the fundamental frequency, the maximum stresses and the top deflection of frameworks, coupled shear walls, cores and their spatial assemblies, a very important new piece of information is the "safety factor" of the structure (either a single unit or a whole building), which also acts as the performance indicator of the structure.

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