How to ignore story stiffness (soft story) as per code (ASCE)

 

Structures having one or more of the irregularity types listed in Table 12.3-2 shall be designated as 

having a vertical structural irregularity. Such structures assigned to the seismic design categories listed 

in Table 12.3-2 shall comply with the requirements in the sections referenced in that table. There is exception Vertical structural irregularities of Types 1a (Soft story irregualrity), 1b(Extreme soft story irregualrity) do not apply.

1. No story drift ratio under design lateral seismic force is greater than 130 percent of the story drift ratio of the next story above. Torsional effects need not be considered in the calculation of story drifts.  The story drift ratio relationship for the top two stories of the structure are not required to be evaluated.
2. one-story buildings in any seismic design category or for two-story buildings assigned to Seismic Design Categories B, C, or D.