Structural floor shape efficiency of circular and square high rise structure towards lateral loadings

Abstract

The building shape is one of the most important considerations in the conceptual stage of building design. Since the building shape determines the size and the orientation of the exterior envelope exposed to the outdoor environment, it can affect building performance in many aspects: energy efficiency, cost and aesthetics. The shape and exterior structure of a house play major roles in determining its energy efficiency and the comfort of residents. The shape is comprised of the building’s height, width, and depth-also known as the footprint. The determination of the structural shape of a high-rise building would preferably involve only the selection and arrangement of the major structural element to resist most efficiently the various combinations of gravity and horizontal loading. Based on the above considerations, this study focuses on the responses by analysing the effects of the lateral loads on two 20 storied high rise structures having edge supported floor systems each of which one with square floor shape and another with circular floor and finally, presents a comparative result.