Simplified Overview

The general concept is that a static solution in the direction of the seismic loading will form a
good basis for the approximate mode shapes of the structure which then leads to natural
frequency calculations.

This concept is nothing new. The Rayleigh-Ritz method for natural period calculations have
been used for many, many years as an excellent hand calculation method for estimating the
first fundamental period. That method results in ASCE 7s natural period equation 15.4-6:

This equation uses the mass distribution at each floor (wi), the static displacement of that
floor (i), and the lateral force applied to that floor (fi) to come up with a fairly accurate
estimate of the natural period. Ritz vectors can be viewed as an extension of this concept
where additional modes are calculated based on assumed modal forces derived from the
previous mode shape / Ritz vector.

It should be noted that the force vector used in this method does not need to closely match the
seismic force distribution for the first mode. A very approximate force vector (like a wind
load vector or structure weight applied laterally) works as well.

Practical Advantages of Ritz Vectors:

The use of Ritz vectors in a Response Spectra or Time-History analysis offers a number of
practical advantages over traditional mode shapes.

Ritz vectors will ignore modes that do not contribute to the response of the structure
in the direction of interest. Therefore, Ritz vectors require fewer modes to get to 90%
mass participation.
Ritz vectors automatically account for the residual rigid response of the structure.
A Ritz vector solution is faster and requires less memory than a dynamic analysis
using traditional eigen modes.

Limitations with Ritz Vectors:

Ritz vectors will closely resemble actual mode shapes, especially for the first few
modes. However, they are not true eigen modes.
When mass participation is low, the residual response can occur at frequency lower
than the actual rigid response, thereby resulting in lower spectral forces in the
Response Spectra analysis.

The (Painfully) Technical Details:

Its best to start with the basic dynamic equilibrium equation shown below. This has a
dynamic component based on the mass matrix (2*[M]*{u}) and a displacement component
based on the stiffness matrix ([K]*{u}).

The first Ritz vector is calculated as the static displacement vector of the structure when it is
subject to some initial force vector. This means the mass term from the equation above is
ignored. The above equation then simplifies down to the simpler equation, F = [K] {uo}.
where {uo} is the basis for the first Ritz vector / mode shape. This solution {uo} is then mass
normalized to take a form closer to a true eigen mode {o}.

In RISA-3D, the initial force vector is based on the load combination used in the definition of
dynamic mass with the load being applied only in the direction of the desired seismic
response. This is done automatically without requiring the users to derive their own force for
each direction.

Since the shape of that first displacement vector is purely static in nature ({uo} from the
equation F = [K] {uo}), the error in the estimate of the dynamic force can be represented as
being proportional to the mass matrix times the first mode ({uo} or {o}).

The second mode can then be solved for. Higher order modes are then approximated using
the same general concept, by estimating the dynamic force as being proportional to the mass
matrix times the previous mode shape.

The procedure can be viewed in more detail in Chapter 14 of Three Dimensional Static and
Dynamic Analysis of Structures by Ed Wilson. Specifically, section 14.8 (Generation of
Load-Dependent Ritz Vectors).

Using this procedure, it is clear that the modes found should only be modes that produce
displacement in the desired directions.