Design Considerations for Medium-Rise Buildings

Slide 1: Introduction
"Good day, everyone! Now, I will be presenting Design Considerations for Medium-
Rise Buildings. One key aspect of this is Structural Load Analysis, which plays a
critical role in ensuring the safety and stability of buildings."

Structural Load Analysis

•Ensures safety and stability First, It helps prevent structural failure by ensuring that a
building can withstand various forces acting on it.
•Steel frames support dead, live, wind, and seismic loads As you can see from the
illustration, these are some of the forces or loads that act on a building, which I will
further discuss later on.

•Compliance with building codes prevents structural failure And of course, it is also
important to comply with the building codes.
Types of Loads on Structures

Static Loads

•Applied gradually, reaching peak value without sudden changes

•Structure responds slowly; deformation peaks at max load

•Example: Weight of building materials (dead load)

From the term itself, "static," which means stationary or unchanging, are gradually applied
forces that remain constant or change slowly over time, allowing structures to adjust without
sudden shifts. Deformation occurs steadily and peaks when the load reaches its maximum. For
example, a wooden floor compresses gradually under a heavy bookshelf without sudden
movement or vibration.

deformation - bending, compression, or stretching of materials

Dynamic Loads

Dynamic loads change rapidly, causing inertial forces that affect structural response. Since
structures take time to react, maximum deformation does not always occur when the force
is at its peak but rather often lags behind peak force. For example, a building may continue
swaying after an earthquake due to built-up momentum.

•Applied suddenly with rapid changes in magnitude and position

•Induces inertial forces; max deformation ≠ max force

Impact Loads

Impact loads are a type of dynamic load which are sudden, short-duration forces that cause
sharp structural responses. Since the structure has no time to adjust gradually, materials must
absorb and distribute the force to prevent failure.

•A rapid, short-duration force causing vibration

Classification of Loads on Structures

Dead Load (D): Permanent weight of fixed structural & non-structural components.

These elements do not move or change over time, making dead loads constant and
predictable.

Examples: Walls, floors, columns, beams, roofing, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and
airconditioning), elevators.

Calculation:

Their calculation is crucial for foundation design to prevent settlement (the gradual sinking or
downward movement of a building’s foundation over time).

•Based on material weight (e.g., concrete, steel).

•Affects foundation design to prevent settlement.

•Guidelines provided by AISC (Bergami & Nuti, 2013).

Live loads - more variable and are influenced by occupancy type, usage patterns, and local
building codes.

Unlike dead loads, live loads change over time and depend on how a building is used. These
loads vary based on occupancy, furniture, equipment, and local building codes.

Floor Live Load (L): Movable occupants, furniture, equipment

Example: Crowds in a stadium, desks in an office, or shelves in a store.

 Wind Load (W): Lateral and uplift forces from wind pressure

Effects:

•Deflection, vibration, or structural failure if not properly addressed.

•Significant for tall buildings, bridges, and transmission towers.

Design Considerations:

•Wind Tunnel Testing & Aerodynamic Analysis: Used to optimize wind-resistant designs.
•involves placing a scaled-down model of a building or structure inside a tunnel where
controlled airflows simulate real-world wind conditions.
•Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Simulations: Helps assess wind interactions with
structures.
•Computer-Based
•Dynamic Analysis: Predicts long-term structural response to fluctuating wind forces.
•considers how forces change over time and how the structure reacts
Types of Wind Load:

•Positive Wind Load (Compressive Pressure- outward to inward)

• Wind pushes against the structure (windward side).
Windward - The side facing the wind (where wind directly hits the structure).
•Common in coastal high-rises due to strong sea breezes & storms.
•Requires reinforced walls & cladding systems.
•Negative Wind Load (Suction Pressure - inward to outward)
• Wind pulls on the structure (leeward side or roof surface).
Leeward - The side opposite the wind (protected or sheltered from direct wind).
•Can cause roof uplift, window detachment, or instability.

•Critical in hurricane/typhoon-prone areas to prevent failures.

 Earthquake Load (E): Seismic ground motion effects

Design Considerations:

•Earthquake-Resistant Features:
• Flexible joints, base isolators, ductile materials.
• Seismic dampers & reinforced frames (Japan, California).
Flexible Joints: move slightly without breaking.
Base Isolators: Special shock absorbers
Ductile Materials: bend rather than snap under stress.
Seismic Dampers: reducing vibrations
Reinforced Frames: Strengthen the structure to resist shaking (used in earthquake-prone areas
like Japan & California).
•Structural Enhancements:
• Steel Frames: High ductility for energy absorption.
• Dissipative Braces: Provide additional resistance to lateral forces.
Load Combinations in Structural Design

Load combinations are mathematical formulas used in structural engineering to ensure

buildings can withstand realistic forces acting simultaneously. Instead of designing for each
load separately, engineers combine them to reflect real-world scenarios. This method helps
prevent structural failure while optimizing material use and reducing construction costs.

•Ensures structures withstand realistic conditions without excessive material use or cost.

•Based on ASCE 7 Standard, which determines appropriate load combinations.

Common Load Combinations (ASCE 7):

Each load combination considers different structural scenarios
 Building Codes & Standards

•Philippines: National Structural Code of the Philippines (NSCP) - the primary guideline for
structural design, including provisions for wind and seismic loads
•Global: ANSI (American National Standards Institute), Eurocodes, ISO 9001 (Quality
management systems), ISO 14001 (Environmental management systems)

•Ensures safety, sustainability, and best construction practices

Fire Safety Considerations

Structural materials, especially steel, must be designed to withstand high temperatures without losing strength.
•Steel loses strength at 350°C - 750°C
•Failure occurs at 500°C - 600°C, causing collapse risks.
•Fire resistance ratings: 60-240 minutes

Fire Protection Tecniques

•Active systems: Sprinklers, alarms (Detection & Suppression Systems)
•Passive systems: Fire-resistant materials (Built-in Resistance)
Advantages of Steel Frame Systems for Medium-Rise Buildings

1. Speed of Construction
Prefabrication allows for rapid on-site assembly, cutting project timelines, labor costs, and delays,
making steel frames ideal for urban projects with tight schedules.
2. Modular Construction
Off-site manufacturing ensures high-quality components, reduces material waste, and improves site
safety, streamlining project execution.
3. Durability and Maintenance
Steel resists rot, pests, and environmental wear, with protective coatings enhancing corrosion
resistance, leading to lower maintenance costs and longer lifespan.
4. Lifecycle Assessment (LCA)
Evaluates environmental impact from production to demolition, helping in sustainable decision-making
for long-term building performance.
5. Flexibility and Adaptability
Steel allows open layouts, future modifications, and vertical expansions with minimal foundation needs,
making it ideal for dynamic commercial spaces.
6. Sustainability
As a recyclable material with energy-efficient production, steel minimizes environmental impact and
supports green construction practices.
7. Green Building Certifications

Steel buildings contribute to LEED and BREEAM certifications due to their energy efficiency, sustainable
sourcing, and eco-friendly design, attracting green-conscious developers.

•Contributes to certifications like LEED, BREEAM, and HQE.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method)