Structural Framing Systems - Yifan Guo

Architectural Model:

Structural Modeling Strategy:

1. A central core with radial beams characterizes the structural plan for this building. The plan incorporates a dual system of columns: an outer ring and an inner ring for vertical load-bearing. The outer ring of columns would be along the building’s exterior wall while connecting with the inner ones through the system to ensure load sharing and structural integrity.
2. All the girders would be located at the perimeter of each floor to carry the edge loads and transfer them to the columns. Some girders would be curved to incorporate with special floor opening design.
3. Beam systems would be designed to ensure sufficient load transfer to the girders and are integrated with the floor slab in the composite design.

Grids

Structural Model:

2nd Floor

4th Floor

Top Floor

Structural Elements

Structural Walls & Floors

Structural Floor

Shear Wall

Load Bearing Wall

Beams & Column System

Columns

Girders

Beams

Structural Foundation

Isolated Foundation at Columns:

Wall Foundations:

Design Challenges

1. This building had 3 categories of floor plans: 1st - 3rd floors, 4th and 6th floors, 5th floor. Each floor plan has different wall arrangements and room locations, which required different thinking of the structural frame plan and the structural wall plan.
2. Center stairs have a special floor opening and wall around it, which makes it hard to think of a column and beam placing plan in this area. I used a combination of curved girders and straight beam system:

3. The special circular shape of the building made it harder to place the beam systems well organized.