Dynamic amplification factors for coupled shear walls and partially coupled

The National Building Code of Canada (NBCC) takes into account the effect caused by the higher order vibration modes using the dynamic amplification factor Mv. This factor depends on the types of systems used to resist seismic forces. However, for load-bearing partitions, the NBCC recommends using the Mv that pertains to moment-resisting structures when the level of coupling, DC ≥ 2/3 (coupled load-bearing partition system) or the Mv pertaining to walls and structure-wall systems when DC v factor specific to these important structural systems. The numerical investigations of this study analyse a large array of load-bearing wall systems and take into account the following parameters: (i) three building heights (10, 20, and 30 storeys), (ii) two levels of coupling (DC = 0.6 and DC = 0.7), (iii) five soil classes (A to E), and (iv) two cities, Montreal and Vancouver, representative of the seismic risk zones for Eastern and Western Canada. [Journal translation].