Structural Developments in Tall Buildings: Current Trends and Future Prospects

Abstract

Tall building developments have been rapidly increasing worldwide. This paper reviews the evolution of tall building's structural systems and the technological driving force behind tall building developments. For the primary structural systems, a new classification -interior structures and exterior structures -is presented. While most representative structural systems for tall buildings are discussed, the emphasis in this review paper is on current trends such as outrigger systems and diagrid structures. Auxiliary damping systems controlling building motion are also discussed. Further, contemporary "out-of-the-box" architectural design trends, such as aerodynamic and twisted forms, which directly or indirectly affect the structural performance of tall buildings, are reviewed. Finally, the future of structural developments in tall buildings is envisioned briefly.

Towards sustainable urban development: the social acceptability of high-rise buildings in a Ghanaian city

“…Also, the study affirms the findings of (Ali and Moon 2007) pointed to the invention of high speed elevators as a major factor that has propelled the development of high-rise buildings. Similarly, majority of residents Kumasi metropolis attribute their nonpreference for high-rise living to the absence of elevators.…”

“…In accounting for the historical evolution of high-rise developments, it is important to place into context the significant role of elevators. The invention of high speed elevator during the period of industrial revolution catapulted the proliferation of high-rise buildings (Ali and Moon 2007). Vertical developments became a prominent feature of many cities in the twentieth century.…”

An analysis of the relationship between service cores and the embodied/running energy of tall buildings

“…Since the premium for height is an important issue for tall buildings, such 'classifi cation is based on the distribution of the components of the primary lateral load-resisting system over the building' (Ali and Moon, 2007). Interior structures are those where the service core satisfi es structural requirements; in order to achieve this, a core must exist.…”

“…Structural cores use a lot of material for a non-effi cient scheme; as a general principle, exterior structures should be preferred-they have more structural signifi cance since 'it is quite desirable to concentrate as much lateral load-resisting system components as possible on the perimeter of tall buildings to increase their structural depth and, in turn, their resistance to lateral loads' (Ali and Moon, 2007). External structures free the service core from load-bearing functions: the core could, therefore, be omitted, and greater design variance is possible.…”

Force chain and contact cycle evolution in a dense granular material under shallow penetration

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