Challenge

Conceptual design of a building with columns and shear walls

Question 1:

The building shown, 20 x 35 m in plan, has columns on in m, 250 mm in thickness) in three alternative arrangements, (a), (b), (c), all with the same totala 5 x 5 m grid and shear walls (with dimensions shown cross-sectional area of the shear walls. Compare the three alternatives, taking into account the restraint of floor shrinkage, the lateral stiffness and the torsional one with respect to the vertical axis, the vertical reinforcement required for the same total flexural capacity at the base, the static eccentricity, the system's redundancy, foundation systems, architectural constraints etc.

Ans

Restraint of Floor shrinkage

Observations

Option A-Full restrains at the corners

Option B-Corners are left free but restrained at edges

Option C-Non uniform restrains

Conclusions

Option A will have higher restraint to shrinkage,thus lead

to cracks in the floor

Option B will have average restraint

Option C will not effectively restrained to shrinkage, so possibly less cracks

Lateral Stiffness

Observations

Option A-Comparatively lower lateral stiffness in bot and Y directions.

Option B-Uniform and comparatively higher lateral stiffness in Both X and Y directions

Option C-Non uniform lateral stiffness in both X and Y direction 

Conclusions

Option B will provide higher lateral stiffness for a pure

seismic acceleration in X and Y directions

Torsion with respect to vertical axis

Observations

Option A-Corner walls provide more resistance to twist

Option B-Edge walls provide good resistance to twist Option C-Inner walls provide very poor resistance to twist

Conclusions

Option A will be best option with respect to torsional resistance whereas Option C is worst one

Vertical Reinforcement for similar base capacity.

Observations

Option A-Walls are subjected to nominal flexural

moment and heavy twisting moment Option B-Walls are subjected to nominal twisting

moment

Option C-Walls are subjected to heavy flexural

moments and twisting moments.

Conclusions

Option C will require higher vertical reinforcement Option B will require less vertical reinforcement

Static eccentricity

Observations

Option A-Structurally symmetric

Option B-Structurally symmetric

Option C-Structurally unsymmetric

Conclusions

Only option C will have static eccentricity and it is

significant 

Question 2:

Discuss the suitability for earthquake resistance of the moment resisting framing plan of a three-storey building depicted here (cross-sectional dimensions in cm), the eccentricity of the centre of mass (as centroid of floor plan) to the centre of stiffness (from the moments of inertia of the columns) are shown. Suggest an alternative. Also, is there torsional flexibility? Are the two fundamental translational modes of vibration larger than the fundamental torsional mode of vibration. Discuss qualitatively. 

 Ans

Indirect Lateral Load Transfer in X and Y Directions

Beams are connected to another beams and it is ineffective during lateral load transfer.in such conditions The primary beams is subjected to shear failure

 Eccentricity

The longer the distance between the centre of mass and centre of stiffness the higher is the torsional moment in the building

As per the given building plan, the building is subjected to higher torsional moment in both X and Y directions

 Strong Beam Weak Column

The size of columns majorly mentioned is 25cmx25cm,but the beams are of depth 50cm

Inertia of beams is visually higher than columns If the reinforcement of the column is higher than that of

the beam, then it is ok.

Since we don't have any reinforcement details it is doubtful. And it is recommended to have slightly bigger columns 

Alternate Scheme

Question 3:

A multi-storey building with basement, with a quadrilateral (non symmetrical floor plan) plan as, has interior columns in an irregular (not in a grid) pattern in plan that serves architectural and functional considerations. Partition walls and interior beams supporting the slab have different layout in different stories. However, there is no constraint to the type, location and size of the lateral force resisting components and sub-systems on the perimeter. Proposals are to be made and justified for the choice of the lateral-load-resisting system and its foundation. 

Ans

Observations

Floor plan

The floor plan is not either uniform or symmetrical. So

naturally any lateral load acting in the building will not

take 100% influence in the same direction. So a special

lateral load resisting system for these torsional

moments needs to be accommodated.

Random Internal Columns

Since the internal columns are random, they are una to transfer the lateral load effectively. So we have to assume that the columns are designed only for grav. loads.

Floor to Floor Variations in Partition Walls

Partition walls are an important mass control element in 

the building and play a vital role in the transfer of shear force from floor to beam. All these elements are not in order,there is heavy distortion in the lateral load distribution.

Conclusions and suggestions

Heavy torsional forces should be controlled by the respective lateral load system. So corner shear walls are suggested

The proportion of floor area is greater on the left side than the right side.So corner shear walls on the left side should be heavier than right

Corner shear walls shall preferably supported over a box foundation,Shear walls should be connected by link to transfer shear from one to the other

The internal columns shall be supported by isolated

footings .Those isolated footings can be connected with

shear walls through tie beams

Proposed schematic plan

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