Equivalent Lateral Force Method (ELF) and Response Spectrum Analysis (RSA) are the two most popular methods of seismic design of structures. This study aims to present a comparative study of the two methods using hand-calculated approach as well as computer analysis according to ASCE 7-10 Standards. The two methods have been compared in terms of base shear and story forces by analyzing various models for different number of stories and different support conditions. It was found that ELF gives conservative results in comparison to RSA. This result was more obvious in case of four-story frames. Hence, for structures of increased elevation, the analysis from ELF may not be sufficient.

Metal buildings account for over 40% of low-rise construction in the US. Despite this, predictive fundamental period equations that were obtained empirically for mid-rise construction are used in seismic design. Analytical modeling of metal building frames implied that these equations significantly underpredict the period, which led to the development of a new predictive equation. However, experimental tests showed that these models may overestimate the measured period. In this work, further tests were carried out in order to single out possible causes. Buildings were tested during different stages of construction to evaluate how non-structural elements could affect the behavior. Both planar and three-dimensional models were developed to determine if design assumptions are accurate for the purpose of estimating the period. The results from tests showed that, unlike other single-story buildings, non-structural components seem to have negligible effect on the structural behavior. However, several buildings seemed to exhibit signs of fixed conditions at the column base. This assertion was corroborated by updating the analytical models. The two modeling approaches showed good agreement with each other as well, validating the use of planar models to predict the period. Finally, new predictive equations are proposed that take into account the type of cladding, as it was found to be an important variable not previously considered. However, low mass participation ratios coupled with the stiffness provided by the secondary framing put the use of the equivalent lateral force procedure into question. / Master of Science / When designing buildings for earthquake loads it is necessary to know their dynamic properties in order to define the equivalent forces that must be applied. Building codes provide predictive equations that were obtained empirically for typical mid-rise construction. Metal buildings do not fall within the range of buildings tested for their development, and so a new equation was proposed for them based on a database of planar models. However, previous tests implied that this equation was predicting larger periods than those obtained experimentally. In this work, further tests were carried out during different stages of construction to evaluate how non-structural elements could affect the behavior. Models were also created for each building in order to determine if the approach used to develop the metal building database was adequate for estimating the period. The results from tests showed that, unlike other single-story buildings, non-structural components seem to have negligible effect on the structural behavior, and the modeling assumptions within the database were validated. Further analysis showed that the type of cladding (concrete or metal sheeting) had a large influence on the properties of metal buildings. In consequence, a new set of predictive equations is proposed that takes this into account.