Determination of the first n modes of a tall building from a reduced eigenvalue problem

The first n natural frequencies and mode shapes of an N degree of freedom structure (n < N) are derived from the solution of a reduced eigenvalue problem of order smaller than N. The reduced eigenvalue problem is formulated by using experience to select approximations to the first n modes desired. Accuracy is improved when more than n modes are selected. The method is illustrated by a study on an 18 story building.