Flat-slab building structures exhibit significant higher flexibility compared with traditional frame structures, and\r\nshear walls (SWs) are vital to limit deformation demands under earthquake excitations. The objective of this study is\r\nto identify an appropriate finite element (FE) model of SW dominant flat-plate reinforced concrete (R/C) buildings,\r\nwhich can be used to study its dynamic behavior. Three-dimensional models are generated and analyzed to check\r\nthe adequacy of different empirical formulas to estimate structural period of vibration via analyzing the dynamic\r\nresponse of low- and medium-height R/C buildings with different cross-sectional plans and different SW positions\r\nand thicknesses. The numerical results clarify that modeling of R/C buildings using block (solid) elements for\r\ncolumns, SWs, and slab provides the most appropriate representation of R/C buildings since it gives accurate results\r\nof fundamental periods and consequently reliable seismic forces. Also, modeling of R/C buildings by FE programs\r\nusing shell elements for both columns and SWs provides acceptable results of fundamental periods (the error does\r\nnot exceed 10%). However, modeling of R/C buildings using frame elements for columns and/or SWs overestimates\r\nthe fundamental periods of R/C buildings. Empirical formulas often overestimate or underestimate fundamental\r\nperiods of R/C buildings. Some equations provide misleading values of fundamental period for both intact and\r\ncracked R/C buildings. However, others can be used to estimate approximately the fundamental periods of\r\nflat-plate R/C buildings. The effect of different SW positions is also discussed.
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