Structural Analysis and Seismic Performance Evaluation of Multi-Storied Commercial Buildings With Varied Plan Configurations Using ETABS

The structural stability and seismic performance of high-rise structures are greatly influenced by their plan layout and geometric regularity. This paper presents a comparative assessment of multi-storied reinforced concrete (RC) structures with various plan layouts, including rectangular, hollow-rectangular, Z-shaped, and V-shaped models and evaluated using ETABS 2022 in accordance with BNBC 2020 standards. The study evaluates major structural characteristics, such as storey displacement, storey drift, base shear, overturning moment, torsional irregularity and the P-delta effect, under seismic and wind loads. Regular configurations, particularly rectangular and V-shaped layouts, showed improved seismic resilience with minimum lateral displacements and drift, whereas irregular forms, such as the Z-shaped plan, were more vulnerable due to torsional irregularities and mass discontinuities. This study emphasizes the significance of structural regularity in seismic safety and offers practical advice for overcoming performance concerns in irregular building designs.