2. Slenderness Effects and Sway or Nonsway Frame Designation

Columns and stories in structures are considered as non-sway frames if the increase in column end moments due to second-order effects does not exceed 5% of the first-order end moments, or the stability index for the story (Q) does not exceed 0.05.     ACI 318-19 (6.6.4.3)

Pu is the total vertical load in the first story corresponding to the lateral loading case for which ∑Pu is greatest (without the wind loads, which would cause compression in some columns and tension in others and thus would cancel out).     ACI 318-19 (6.6.4.4.1 and R6.6.4.3)

Vus is the factored horizontal story shear in the first story corresponding to the wind loads, and Δo is the first-order relative deflection between the top and bottom of the first story due to Vu.     ACI 318-19 (6.6.4.4.1 and R6.6.4.3)

From Table 2, load combinations (2.3.2-4 No. 5 and 6) provide the greatest value of ∑Pu.

    ASCE 7-10 (2.3.2-4)


    ASCE 7-10 (2.3.2-6)


    ACI 318-19 (Eq. 6.6.4.4.1)

Thus, the frame at the first story level is considered sway.