STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS OF

HIGH RISE BUILDINGS

(CONCRETE)
By
Eng. (Mrs.) Tharangika. J. Jayasundara
B. Sc. Eng. (Hons), M. Eng (Structural Eng)
C. Eng, M.I.E (SL)

Out line of the Presentation

1.0 Introduction

2.0 Classifications of Tall

Building Structural Systems(TBSS)

3.0 Typical Examples

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Primary structural skeleton of a tall building

can be visualized as a vertical cantilever
with its base fixed in the ground.

The Structure has to carry,

(1) Vertical gravity loads
(2) Lateral loads
(Wind & Earth Quake)

1.0 INTRODUCTION (Cont..)

As

the buildings become taller there

is a Premium for height due to
lateral loads.

Demand

on the structural system

is dramatically increased.

2.0 CLASSIFICATIONS OF TBSS

Tall Building Structural Systems can be broadly

categorized in to two;
(1) Interior Structures
Major part of the lateral load resisting
system is located within the interior of the
building.
(2) Exterior Structures Major part of the lateral load resisting
system is located at the perimeter of the building.

Interior Structures

Two basic types,

(1) Moment Resisting Frames (MRF)
(2) Shear Wall System

And,
(3) Shear wall frame interaction systems
(4) Core Supported Outrigger Structures

Interior Structures (Cont..)

(1). Moment Resisting Frames (MRF)

Horizontal and vertical members rigidly connected

together in a planar grid form.

Resist lateral loads primarily through flexural

stiffness of the members.

Size of the columns is mainly controlled by the

gravity loads.

Size of the beam is controlled by the stiffness of

the frame in order to ensure acceptable lateral
sway.

Interior Structures (Cont..)

Rigid Frames
Efficient Height limit

20

Advantages

Provide flexibility in
floor planning.
Easily moldable.

Disadvantages

Expensive formwork
Slow construction

Building Examples

Ingalls Building
(Cincinnati, USA, 16
stories, 65m)

Interior Structures (Cont..)

(2). Shear Wall System

Reinforced Concrete (RC) planar solid or coupled

shear walls have been one of the most popular
systems.
Efficient Height limit

35

Advantages

Effectively resists lateral

shear by concrete shear
walls.

Disadvantages

Interior planning limitations

due to shear walls.

Building Examples

77 West Wacker
Drive(chicago, USA, 50
stories, 203.6m),
Casselden Place(Melbourne,
Australia, 43 stories,160mm)

Interior Structures (Cont..)

(3). Shear wall frame interaction systems

Rigid frames may be combined with vertical shear

wall-frame interaction systems.

Efficient Height limit

70

Advantages

Effectively resists lateral loads by

producing shear wall frame
interaction system.

Disadvantages

Interior planning limitations due to

shear walls.

Building Examples

311 South Wacker Drive(chicago,

USA, 75stories, 284m), Cook
Country administration Building,
Former Brunswick building
(Chicago, USA, 38 stories,145mm)

Interior Structures (Cont..)

(4). Core Supported Outrigger Structures

Outrigger

systems have been

historically used by sailing ships to
help resist the wind forces in their
sails, making the tall and slender
masts stable.

Interior Structures (Cont..)

(4). Core Supported Outrigger Structures

Ship

Tall Building

Mast

Core

Spreaders

Outriggers

Exterior Columns

Stays

Interior Structures (Cont..)

Outrigger Structures
Efficient Height limit

150

Advantages

Effectively resists bending by

exterior columns connected to
outriggers extended from the
core

Disadvantages

Does not add shear resistance

Building Examples

Taipei 101 (Taipei, Taiwan,101

stories,509m) Jin Mao
Building(Shanghai, china, 88
stories,421m)

Exterior Structures

Exterior Structures (Cont..)

Tube

Three dimensional structural system

utilizing the entire building
perimeter to resist lateral loads.

Exterior Structures (Cont..)

Framed Tube
Efficient Height limit

60

Advantages

Effectively resists lateral loads

by locating lateral systems at
the building perimeter.

Disadvantages

Shear lag hinders true

tubular behavior.
Spacing obstruct the view.

Building Examples

Water Tower place (Chicago,

USA, 74 stories,262m)

Exterior Structures (Cont..)

Braced Tube
Efficient Height limit

100

Advantages

Effectively resists lateral

shear by axial forces in the
diagonal members.
Wider column spacing possible
compared with framed tubes.
Reduced shear lag.

Disadvantages

Bracings obstruct the view.

Building Examples

Water Tower place (Chicago,

USA, 74 stories,262m)

Exterior Structures (Cont..)

Bundled Tube
Efficient Height limit

110

Advantages

Reduced shear lag.

Disadvantages

Interior planning limitations due

to the bundled tube
configuration

Building Examples

Camegie Hall Tower (New

york,USA, 62 stories,230.7m)

Exterior Structures (Cont..)

Diagrid
Efficient Height limit

60

Advantages

Efficiently resists lateral shear

by axial forces in the diagonal
members.

Disadvantages

Expensive formwork
Slow construction

Building Examples

O -14 Building (Dubai)

Exterior Structures (Cont..)

Super frames
Efficient Height limit

100

Advantages

Could produce suppertall

buildings.

Disadvantages

Building form depends to a

great degree on the structural
system.,

Building Examples

Parque central Tower (Caracas,

Venezuela,56 stor

Aero Dynamic Forms

GENERAL INFORMATION
THE BURJ TOWER

CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN DUBAI

AIMS TO BE THE TALLEST BUILDING IN THE WORLD BY
COMPLETION IN 2008
HEIGHT IS 700m
RESIDENTIAL TOWER
PROJECT CONSULTANT BEING SOMs ASSOCIATE IN THE
US AND HYDER CONSULTANT IS THE LOCAL CONSULTANT
ESTIMATED PROJECT COST IS $ 1bn.

SHAPE OF THE TOWER

RISING IN A SERIES OF ELLIPSES, WITH THE 24 TIERS

NARROWING TOWARDS THE TOP WITH STEPPED,
SPIRALLING TERRECES

THE SHAPE LENDS ITSELF WELL TO RESIDENTIAL USE

AS 3 RESIDENTAIL BLOCKS ATTACHED TO THE CENTRAL
CORE MAXIMISING THE RATIO OF LIGHT AND DEPTH FOR
EACH.

IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THE SPIRAL FORM DERIVED FROM

WIND TESTING, AT EACH MODULAR TERRACE SETBACK

STRUCTURAL FORM

THREE LEGGED TOWER

VERY STABLE IN SHAPE LATERALLY

LATERAL STABILITY MAINLY THOROUGH THE SHEAR WALLS

FORMING A BUTTRESSED CORE

X WALLS CREATED BY RESIDENTIAL UNITS CELLULAR

FORMS GAVE AN ADDITIONAL LATERAL RESISTANCE AND
STABILITY

LATERAL STABILTY IS ENHANCED BY CHANGING ITS SHAPE

WITH THE HEIGHT

Engage Nose columns for

Increased moment of Inertia
Engage Nose columns for
Increased moment of Inertia

exagonal Central core

igh Torsional Stiffness

Web Walls
Resist Shear

ENHANCED DYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS

OF THE STRUCTURE

WIND TUNNEL TESTING BEFORE DECIDING THE SHAPE

THE TERRACES STEP UP IN A SPIRAL PRESENTS

ASYMETRIC FORM TO THE WIND AND REDUCES
SYMPATHETIC RESONANCE WITH THE WIND.

AS THE SHAPE CHANGES IT REDUCES THE VORTEX

SHEDDING AND ASSOCIATED LATERAL DISPLACEMENT
AND PEAK ACCELEARTION

3D VIEW OF SINGLE STOREY COMPUTER MODEL

THANK YOU