Abstract: “This paper assesses the reliability of applying a popular continuum method “Equivalent Column Theory” into investigating the static and dynamic performance of various tall reinforced concrete building systems. Analytical formulae of this method were used to explore many issues that relate to the local and global behaviours of tall buildings such as horizontal deflections and fundamental frequencies in x and y directions and about z-axis. Therefore, to confirm the accuracy of this method, the same models were simulated by using the commercial finite element software SAP2000 which is considered as an exact and reliable method for comparison.”

Keywords: tall building, global behaviour, finite element method, continuum method, equivalent column