What type of construction is designed to resist lateral wind and earthquake forces without additional braces or walls?

The steel moment frame is designed specifically to resist lateral forces such as those caused by wind and earthquakes. This construction style utilizes the strength and ductility of steel to create a framework that can withstand bending and shear forces without the need for additional braces or walls. Moment frames are composed of beams and columns connected in such a way that they can bend under load without failing, allowing the structure to absorb and dissipate energy during seismic events.

In this context, the other types of construction do serve their own purposes but do not provide the same level of lateral resistance without the use of additional supports. Concrete shear walls, for instance, are effective in resisting lateral loads but require additional wall structures to do so. Wood frames, while common in residential construction, are generally less capable of handling significant lateral forces without added reinforcements. Similarly, reinforced masonry, while strong, also relies on additional structural elements to resist lateral forces effectively. Thus, the steel moment frame stands out as the structure engineered specifically to handle these challenges on its own.