ARE Exam Prep: Torsion for PPD & PDD | ARE Lab

An overview of structural torsion, defining it as the twisting or rotation that occurs when lateral forces cause a misalignment between a building's Center of Mass and its Center of Rigidity. It explains that symmetric buildings avoid torsion because the load and resistance centers align, resulting only in pure shear, while non-symmetric buildings experience eccentricity and rotational moment. Furthermore, the text introduces the IBC code requirement to account for "accidental torsion" by assuming a minimum misalignment of 5% of the building width in calculations. Finally, it outlines key strategies to prevent torsion, such as designing symmetric structural systems and using rigid diaphragms, noting that this information is critical for architectural licensure exams.