Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
7.8 Summary
A multi-storey building is a complex three-dimensional multi-
disciplinary object. Development of the optimal structural solu-
tion requires the orderly investigation of concepts, the selection
of the appropriate scheme and development of the required
details for construction. It is vital to understand the client's
brief, the mix of spaces, the requirements of the other design
disciplines and to work towards a fully coordinated design that
has appropriate future flexibility without overdesign.
Early communication of the key features and requirements
of the structure will allow other disciplines to understand
and coordinate with it appropriately. Sketches, drawings and
visualisations are all tools that help achieve an agreed multi-
disciplinary scheme, enabling the development of later detail
to proceed efficiently and with confidence.
Within the multi-disciplinary systems of the building it is
important that there is a clear and robust structural diagram.
Gravity and horizontal forces should flow to the ground along
direct and understood paths.
The spacing of columns and the positions of cores and move-
ment joints are key decisions to be agreed. Both architects and
building service engineers place great emphasis on the cores
due to vertical people circulation and service risers. If these
are also the structural elements that provide horizontal stability
through bracing or walls they become a vital focus for coord-
ination within the wider team. The column spacing is naturally
the primary influence on the structural sizes required for the
beams and slabs. As these will probably represent the major-
ity of structural material and cost in the building, the engineer
must work to achieve an optimal solution.
The floor systems are often key drivers for the height of
the building. The zone they will occupy within the multi-
disciplinary section through the building needs to be under-
stood and coordinated at an early design stage to allow other
disciplines to proceed with confidence. Pinch-points, where all
disciplines and systems come together, often occur at cores
and facades and along the primary service route. These areas
should be studied in detail early in the design process. If col-
umns are interrupted through the height of the building the
local disruption to the rhythm of building components caused
by the transfer structures needs to be appreciated.
The structural engineer's input extends beyond just the pri-
mary structure. There are a variety of components and issues
where it is important to understand whether they are the struc-
tural engineer's, architect's or others' responsibility. Cladding
systems, finishes and partitions are natural interfaces with the
architect, and support of major plant and suspended services
with the building services team. Primary responsibility for fire
and corrosion protection, cold bridging and waterproofing will
probably lie with the architect, but the engineer has a key role
to play in their success.
Last, but not least, and with increasing emphasis, the chosen
structure needs to be optimised to reduce the overall environ-
mental impact of the building over its life-cycle. As improve-
ments to the operational energy efficiency of our buildings
continue we will increasingly require the embodied carbon
of our structures to be assessed and minimised - an emerging
challenge for the future.
7.9 Conclusions
This chapter began by noting that the success of multi-storey
buildings must be judged across all design disciplines and be
seen through the client's and user's eyes. All the requirements
subsequently discussed are best achieved by teams where the
structural engineer is a key participant, striving for the min-
imum loads, efficient structural layout and the appropriate
structural system, working within and contributing to the suc-
cess of a multi-disciplinary whole.
7.10 Note
1
Please note the artwork for these chapters feature the author's hand
drawings as would be done in practice during the design stage.
7.11 References
Construction Industry Council (2007).
Scope of Services
. London:
CIC.
Network Rail (2012).
Guide to Railway Investment Projects
. GRIP
Policy Standard (NR/L1/INI/PM/GRIP/100). London: Network
Rail.
Phillips, R. (2008).
Plan of Work: Multi-Disciplinary Services
.
London: RIBA Publishing.
Strelitz, Z. (ed.) (2005).
Tall Buildings: A Strategic Design Guide
.
London: RIBA Publishing/British Council for Offices.
Taranath, B. S. (1997).
Steel, Concrete & Composite Design of Tall
Buildings
. New York: McGraw-Hill.
7.11.1 Further reading
Millais, M. (2005).
Building Structures: From Concepts to Design
,
2nd edn. London: Spon. [An illustrated guide that shows how
structural engineering principles and clarity of thought contribute
to the success of all buildings].
