Abstract:
The growing demand for high-rise buildings in urban areas, particularly in seismically active zones, has intensified the need for efficient structural design and seismic safety. Building configuration, especially the plan shape, plays a vital role in determining the structural response to seismic forces. This study investigates the seismic and structural performance of multi-storied reinforced concrete (RC) buildings with three different plan configurations—Rectangular, Hollow Rectangular, and Z-shaped—using ETABS 2018 software. A G+10 store RC frame structure was modeled for each configuration, and analyzed under static and seismic loading conditions as per BNBC 2020 guidelines. Key structural parameters including base shear, axial force, shear force, bending moment, and torsion were evaluated and compared across the different configurations. The results indicate that the rectangular plan exhibited the most favorable seismic response with uniform stress distribution and minimal torsional effects. The hollow rectangular configuration, while providing some spatial advantages, showed increased torsion and shear concentration at re- entrant corners. The Z-shaped configuration demonstrated the poorest seismic performance due to irregular geometry, leading to higher stress concentrations and torsional instability. This research highlights the importance of plan regularity in seismic design and underscores the need for careful consideration of geometrical configuration during the design phase. The findings aim to guide structural engineers and architects in optimizing both the functional and seismic aspects of multi- storied buildings for improved safety and performance.
