Authors: RAMMOHAN SAINI, ANKITA SINGHAI, RAHUL KUMAR SATBHAIYA
Abstract: The geometric configuration of a building plays a pivotal role in determining its seismic response. As urban environments demand both architectural creativity and structural safety, understanding how plan shape affects performance under seismic loading is increasingly critical. This review paper synthesizes existing research focused on the comparative structural behavior of residential buildings with identical floor areas but varying plan geometries—including Rectangular, Square, Triangular, and Circular configurations. Analytical studies using ETABS, a widely adopted structural analysis and design software, form the basis of this comparison, with performance metrics such as base shear and lateral displacement under seismic loads examined. Findings across multiple studies suggest that geometry significantly influences seismic resilience, with triangular plans often demonstrating better base shear resistance, while regular shapes such as squares perform more uniformly in terms of displacement control. These insights reinforce the necessity of integrating geometric considerations into the early stages of structural design. The review also highlights the limitations of current linear static analyses and emphasizes the need for future research involving nonlinear dynamic methods, soil-structure interaction, and irregular high-rise forms. Ultimately, this paper contributes to the evolving discourse on shape-based seismic optimization and supports the development of safer, code-compliant residential structures in seismically active regions.
DOI: https://zenodo.org/uploads/16750644
