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Client:
Project Manager:
Architect:
Structural Engineer:
Building Services Engineer:
Cost consultant:
Swiss Re
RWG Associates
Foster and Partners
Arup
Hilson Moran Partnership
Gardiner & Theobold
Presented By :
Akshay Aman
Charu Kumari
Manisha Nimesh
Sharda Bhagat
Vikram Bengani
Disclaimer
This is not an academic paper.
This is a case study performed as part of a High Rise Structures
Seminar as part of the B.Arch. Programme at School Of Planning
& Architecture.
The authenticity of the data/information cannot be guaranteed
with certainty. However, the information is fairly accurate and
has been collected from the internet while spatial analysis has
been performed by the authors. The various sources have been
cited in the Sources page.
This presentation is a condensed version of the authors
learnings and all the information available on the internet.
HISTORY
FROM BOMBING OF BALTIC EXCHANGE TO THE
BUILDING OF THE GHERKIN
The beginning of the Gherkin's birth starts in 1992 as an
explosion rocked the financial district of London. The
Provisional IRA detonated an explosive device near the Baltic
Exchange and catastrophically injured the building. The
building was torn down and city officials decided to put a
larger tower in its place.
The Gherkin began as a much larger building that was dubbed
the "Millennium Tower" but which failed to materialise. The
original design of the building raised fears that it could
negatively impact air traffic from Heathrow. There were also
concerns that it may interfere with the sight-lines of St. Paul's
Dome from certain parts of the city. Once the original design
was shot down, Norman Foster created the scaled-down
version that now sits at 30 St Mary Axe.
Construction began in 2001 and the Gherkin was finished in
December of 2003. It didn't open for the public until almost
half of a year later.
In response to Norman Foster's Millennium Tower and 30 St
Mary Axe Proposal, the English Heritage supported newer
buildings, but perceived threat of tall buildings. SAVE Britain's
Heritage also played a heavy opposition role over
construction of any new architecture.
With demand for space for new offices, Swiss Re claimed
that it should be allowed to build "the Gherkin" on the
site, with economic benefit of its jobs, and a huge
investment in the UK economy back to mainland Europe.
Entire project of the Millennium Tower abandoned when it was decided that
Swiss Re will buy the site from Kvaerner on condition that planning permission
to knock down Baltic exchange was granted. Late 1997
Total = 64,470 m
Office 46,450 m2
Retail 1,400 m2
Office floor-floor: 4.15 m
Gross superstructure floor area (incl. lightwells): 74,300 m2
Tower Structural Steelwork
Total weight of steel (from Arup Xsteel model): 8,358
tonnes of which:
47% beams
Total number of primary steel pieces: 8 348
Total length: 54.56 km
Diagrid column sizes:
SITE PLAN
INTRODUCTION
Ground floor and first floor consist of reception and a series
of shops at outer edge of the building with the arcade.
FRAMING PLANS
12
Diagrid nodes
(1) pin node
Not rigid pin connection can be used in the symmetrical structure since the
structure have balance load.
(2) Rigid Node
the needs of rigid nodes to assist the structure to support during the construction
process.
Diagrid Joint
(i) diagrid structure sit external and the envelope or curtain wall will clad on floor
structure,
(ii) diagrid structure sit internal and the envelope have to clad on the diagrid.
There are two main joint for the diagrid structure: welding or
bolting. This have to rely on the what appearance require for
the design. for example when the structure to be expose,
welding cans provides better aesthetic value.
In the contrast, if the structure will be expose to external
and cannot be visible, bolt and nut will be the better choice.
Awelding connection is needed if the diagrid structures
decided to architectural exposed it but required more skillful
workers .
Somehow, if the structure are to be clad or concealed like
Hearts Tower, the diagrid can choose to bolted on site for
speed erection.
Vertical Load
The gravity and vertical load from the building will distribute toward the apex of the
diagonal structure. Somehow, it will affected by the height and angle of the
diagonal.
The vertical forces will be divide/disperse into the other diagonal member.
Compression and tension result in the diagonal will transfer into the bottom
section.
Lateral Load
the lateral load happened toward the "flange" of the structure receiving directional
wind load. this will result the lateral load into two part; windward and leeward.
As a consequence, these diagonal members receiving two different direction of
force load. It will respond relatively. The structure able to resist both force and
achieve equilibrium.
MERITS OF DIAGRIDS:
1) The Diagrid structures have mostly column free exterior and interior, hence free and
clear, unique floor plans are Possible.
2) The Glass facades and dearth of interior columns allow generous amounts of day lighting
into the structure.
3) The use of Diagrids results in roughly 1/5th reduction in steel as compared to Braced
frame structures.
4) The construction techniques involved are simple, yet they need to be perfect.
5) The Diagrids makes maximum exploitation of the structural Material.
6) The diagrid Structures are aesthetically dominant and expressive.
DEMERITS OF DIAGRIDS:
1) As of yet, the Diagrid Construction techniques are not thoroughly explored.
2) Lack of availability of skilled workers . Construction crews have little or no
experience creating a DiaGrid skyscraper.
3) The DiaGrid can dominate aesthetically, which can be an issue depending upon
design intent.
4) It is hard to design windows that create a regular language from floor to floor.
5) The DiaGrid is heavy-handed if not executed properly.
Diagrid (diagonal + grid) is a design for constructing large buildings with steel that
creates triangular structures with diagonal support beams. It requires less structural
steel than a conventional steel frame.Hearst Tower in New York City, designed by
Sir Norman Foster, reportedly uses 21 percent less steel than a standard design.
The Diagrid also obviates the need for large corner columns and provides a better
distribution of load in the case of a compromised building.
The perimeter diagrid structure The perimeter steel structural solution was developed
specifically for this building in order to address the issues generated by the unusual geometry in
a manner that was fully integrated with the architectural concept and generated the maximum
benefit for the client.
The final solution was one of a number of approaches that were assessed in detail for overall
structural efficiency, internal plannning benefits, buildability, cost and risk. The design avoids
large cantilevers and keeps the light-wells free of floor structure by inclining the perimeter
columns to follow the helical path of the six-fingered floors up through the building.
A balanced diagrid structure is formed by generating a pattern of intersecting columns spiralling
in both directions. The addition of horizontal hoops, which connect the columns at their
intersection points and resist the forces arising from the curved shape, means that the
perimeter structure is largely independent of the floors.
The hoops also turn the diagrid into a very stiff triangulated shell, which provides excellent
stability for the tower. This benefit of the diagrid means that the core does not need to resist
wind forces and can be designed as an openplanned steel structure providing adaptable internal
space.
Foundation loads are also reduced compared with a building stabilised by the core.
STRUCTURAL ELEVATION
41
DIAGRID SYSTEM
INTERLOCKING DETAILS
A-frame Aluminum coated tube steel series
of two-stories-high, end to end arrangement.
one full diamond is four-stories tall.
There is a special connector that transfers
loads, both vertically and horizontally at the
nodes which are rigid monolithic and welded
together.
The diagonals are CHS members, with cross
section between 508 x 40 mm at the lowest
floors and 273 x 12.5 mm at the top, while the
chord members have RHS, 250 x 300 mm with
wall thickness of 25mm. The circular central
core, which has constant diameter along
elevation, does not contribute to the lateral
resistance and rigidity, being a simple frame
structure.
The elements of the facade.:
Openable glass screen.
Perforated aluminium louvers (internal
sun-screen).
A column casing of aluminium.
Faade frame of extruded aluminium.
43
DIAGRID SYSTEM
INTERLOCKING DETAILS
44
Fine
soils
M
SILT
coarse
0.02 - 0.06
mm
medium
0.006 - 0.02
mm
fine
0.002 0.006 mm
CLAY
< 0.002 mm
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
Month of year
09
10 11
12 1-12
34
31
35
31
37
28
32
35
27
30
28
33
31
10
10
10
13
15
19
21
20
18
14
13
COMPUTER SIMULATION OF
WIND FLOW FLOWS AROUND THE
BUILDING
DIVERSE OCCUPANTS
In the past couple of years, the Gherkin has changed from a
bespoke owner-occupied London headquarters for insurance
company Swiss Re, to a prime multi-let office building, with all
but one floor occupied.
On the downside, the building is not very spatially efficient.
The central lift, services core and six spiralling light wells
around the perimeter mean that only 63% of its gross floor
area is useful space.
CELLULAR OFFICES FOR LAWYERS
The building is extremely popular with law firms, because the
rectangular spaces can take cellular offices Originally, the
circular floor plates were conceived of as open-plan spaces,
but this was not practical for lawyers, who need to have
confidential one-to-one discussions with clients. In addition,
the open lightwells allow sound to travel between six floors at
a time, which could compromise confidentiality.
SHARED FLOORS
The 19th floor is shared by four companies, the smallest of
which is the five-strong Primus Guaranty, which has a tiny
dealing floor and three cellular offices in one rectangular
finger.
Sharing this floor called for an internal corridor to be wrapped
around the central core of the building to reach the lift lobby.
RESTAURANTS AND RECEPTION DOME
Tenants make regular and enthusiastic use of the restaurants
and glass dome at the peak of the building to entertain clients.
The 65-cover restaurant and five private dining rooms are
reserved for tenants and members of the exclusive London
Capital Club. The reception room in the dome can be hired by
outsiders.
ELEVATORS
There are 18 passenger lifts in the building.
378 people can be vertically transported
through the building at speeds up to 6m
per second at any time.
In addition, there are goods and firefighter
elevators, as well as a car park elevator to
the reception from the basement.
Two special shuttle elevators serve the top
floors of the building.
KONE Alta fulfilled the architects
requirements for customized elevator cars and
signalization.
3 different levels:
Low rise go from lobby to level 12.
Medium rise lifts go from lobby to
22 stopping from level 11.
High rise lifts go from lobby to 34
stopping from level 22.
Shuttle lift goes from level 34 to
level 39.
ELEVATORS IN BUILDING
ELEVATORS
IN THE CORE
Natural ventilation is used for smoke clearance for the light wells and the accommodation.
The building is sprinkle red, including arrays of window sprinklers on part of the faade of levels 2 and 3, to protect a glazed opening in the
compartment floor of level 4, directly above.
However sprinklers have not been fitted in the 12m high domed space that forms the very top of the building.
The Tower has two firefighting shafts with dedicated lifts.
The use of dedicated smoke detectors in each lobby which cause the vent to open in that lobby, as well as at the top of the smoke shaft and the
top of the stair.
During a fire temperatures can be such that the window glazing may break and thus allow cool air to enter and hot gas to escape.
Alternatively, temperatures may be such that the fire has not engulfed a large area and is not severe enough to actually break the glass.
In both cases the temperature reached in the compartment and the duration of a fire is dependent on the amount of ventilation, and it is
assumed that sprinkler activation has not prevented the fire from growing.
Appearance: The frame structure and the top box is normally galvanized,
powder coated in any desired RAL colour. Can be mounted also above
suspended ceilings.
Applications: factories, warehouses, shopping centres, buildings with lobby
and atria
Architectural style
21st century contemporary iconic design
The glass panels in the atriums are also tinted to reduce glare
and solar gain
THE SERVICE
CORE
THE ELEVATORS- 18
PASSENGER LIFTS
THE OFFICE
AREA
THE CORE
The core takes a portion of the
vertical gravity loads and is a
secondary structure to the diagrid.
The core acts as a tie back to the
hoop structure preventing splay. The
structure system of the core is rigid
using moment frames.
Provides rigidity
Resists torsion
Increases stiffness
This building has a core 9 meters wide and 36 meters long split into
five separate sections to provide additional strength
MATERIALS
SITE TEMPERATURE
Temperature range:
22 degrees in December
94 degrees in June
The change in temperature effects the
expansion of the steel members.
Gherkin London.
Windows open on the
outer skin to allow air
to enter the cavity
between the inner and
outer skin.
47% beams
Steel in foundation:
Faade material:
WIND
SHAPE
Wind load
The overall cylindrical shape allows for the wind
to move around the building.
How does this shape effect the horizontal wind
loads?
Decreased buffeting
Reduced vibrations
Diminished fluttering
CONNECTIONS
Diagrid
There is a special connector that transfers
loads, both vertically and horizontally at
the nodes which are rigid monolithic
and welded together.
Rigid node connections at intersecting
members.
Core
Rigid connections of steel beams and
columns.
Differing air pressures and double skin faade allow for natural ventilation
Six spiralling light wells allow daylight to flood down onto the floors
Windows and blinds are computer controlled
Solar blinds to reclaim or reject heat
Windows open when external temperature is between 20C and 26C and
wind speed is less than 10 mph
The shafts are essentially light wells in that light travels through these
wells and naturally light the six radial fingers of the building.
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