Seismic design lateral force distributions based on elastic analysis of structures

It has been often observed, as outcome of non-linear dynamic analyses that structures designed according to the force distribution proposed by Eurocode8, i.e. proportional to first mode shape, show a displacement demand at the top storey higher than those occurring at other intermediate storeys, thus increasing the probability of premature failure at this very storey. The scope of this work is to propose a new force design distribution that allows for the higher mode effects and therefore further structural dynamic characteristics