Concrete Apartment Building Research Articles

Low-Carbon Emissions and Cost of Frame Structures for Wooden and Concrete Apartment Buildings: Case Study from Finland

To date, the existing literature lacks any studies that compare timber and concrete apartment buildings in the Finnish context regarding their carbon footprint, handprint, and the cost of frame structures. This study rigorously analyzes and calculates the carbon footprint, carbon handprint, and costs associated with various structural solutions in a proposed multi-story building located in Laajasalo, Helsinki, Finland. While the primary focus is on wooden frame construction, exploring both its challenges and opportunities, this study also includes a comparative assessment with concrete frame construction. In Finland, regulations require a sprinkler fire extinguishing system to be installed inside. Also, weather protection is typically added to the top of building in connection with the construction of wooden apartment buildings. When the costs of a sprinkler system and weather protection are taken into account, the cost of achieving positive climate effects through a concrete frame is 290% higher than that of a solid wood frame. Our findings will provide a robust basis for assessing the sustainability and feasibility of construction methods, offering valuable insights into environmental and economic considerations for decision-makers in Finland and beyond as regulations evolve and awareness of climate impacts grows.

The Effect of Seismic Design on Total Cost of Structural Work for Medium Rise Apartment Building

People believed Malaysia did not experience earthquakes because the country is not in the Pacific Ring of Fire. Then, an earthquake of magnitude M w 6.0 struck Ranau, Sabah, meaning Malaysia was no longer safe from seismic catastrophes. This is especially true when most buildings in Malaysia are not made to withstand the shaking that comes from earthquakes. Considering the seismic design will mean using higher steel reinforcement, immediately raising costs. Hence, this paper studies the cost effect on Sabah’s 6-story reinforced concrete (RC) apartment building. The study had three levels of reference peak ground acceleration: α gR = 0.08 g, 0.12 g, and 0.16 g, and the soil type was D which was classified as Ductility Class Medium (DCM). In the comparison between the non-seismic and seismic models, the findings suggested that the amount of steel reinforcement per 1 m3 of concrete increased by 7% and 31%, respectively. Other than that, the cost increment of structural work increased by 3.3% to 12.7% compared to the non-seismic model.

A Study on the Introduction of Factory Certification System to Revitalized Precast Concrete Apartment Buildings

A Study on the Introduction of Factory Certification System to Revitalized Precast Concrete Apartment Buildings

A New Perspective on Residential Building Ventilation from the Point of View of Achieving the Desired Indoor Air Quality using Different Ventilation Systems

Abstract The case study analyses a specifically described situation from the present and a summary of events from the past, finds alternative solutions, and decides on one of them. The target of such a detailed analysis was a concrete apartment building, which was still in the project phase; the efforts to change its proposed air conditioning system to a more energy-efficient one are the subject of the case study. Apartment buildings with modern technology installed in terms of sanitary equipment, heating, and simple methods of ventilation and cooling do not constitute part of the project. Through a detailed analysis of the calculation of the heat losses through ventilation in the case of local and decentralised ventilation applied to one apartment unit, this failure to address modern solutions is remedied.

Effectiveness of Damping Devices on Coupling Beams of 15-story Building Based on Nonlinear Analysis Procedures

In recent years, damping device has been experimentally studied to replace diagonally reinforced coupling beams, to mitigate rebar congestion problem. This study focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of various damping devices in a high-rise building. Type of damping devices evaluated are Viscoelastic Damper (VCD) and Rotational Friction Damper (RFD), with study case of a 15-story reinforced concrete apartment building with a dual system (column-beam and shear walls). The analysis used is a nonlinear time history analysis with 11 pairs of ground motions matched to the Indonesian response spectrum based on ASCE 41-17 and ASCE 7-16. In this analysis, each damper will be varied with a different position, namely the first model, the damper will be installed on the entire floor and in the second model, the damper will be installed on the 5th floor to the 9th floor, which is the floor with the largest drift. The results show that the model using both dampers increase the level of structural performance globally and locally in the building, reducing the level of damage to the structural elements. But between the two dampers, the coupling beam that uses RFD is more effective than using VCD in improving building performance. The damper on the coupling beam has a good role in dissipating earthquakes and in terms of ease of installation.

A Statistical Approach for Predicting Airtightness in Residential Units of Reinforced Concrete Apartment Buildings in Korea

In this study, a model equation is derived that uses a statistical analysis based on empirical models to predict the airtightness of reinforced concrete apartment buildings popular in Asian regions. Airtightness data from 486 units personally measured by the authors in the past eight years are used. As major variables used in the prediction model, two groups of variables are configured for the geometric components of the envelope, which is a major path of airflow in a building and is where air infiltration and leakage occur. The two groups of variables represent (1) the areas of the individual components forming the envelope and (2) the connection lengths between different components of the envelope. For the effective prediction of airtightness, correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis were applied step by step in this study. The results of the correlation analysis indicated that the areas of the slab and the window are the area variables that present the greatest impact, whereas the perimeter length of the window is the connection length variable that presents the greatest impact. Using a multiple linear regression analysis method, airtightness prediction model equations can be derived, and it is found that the model with variables for area is able to predict airtightness more accurately compared to the two models derived from variables for connection length and all variables for area and connection length. Although the statistical approach in this study shows a limitation in that the prediction results may vary depending on the attributes and type of data collected by countries, the methodology and procedure in this study contribute to similar studies for making prediction models and finding the influence of variables in the future with high applicability and feasibility.

Seismic Performance of High-Rise Condominium Building during the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake Sequence

On 25 April 2015, a strong earthquake of magnitude 7.8 struck central Nepal including the capital city, Kathmandu. Several powerful aftershocks of magnitude 6.7, 6.9 and 7.3 together with hundreds of aftershocks of local magnitude greater than 4 hit the same area until May 2015. This earthquake sequence resulted in considerable damage to the reinforced concrete buildings apart from brick and stone masonry constructions. High-rise buildings in Nepal are mainly confined in Kathmandu valley and their performance was found to be in the life safety to collapse prevention level during the Gorkha earthquake sequence. In this paper, seismic performance assessment of a reinforced concrete apartment building with brick infill masonry walls that sustained life safety performance level is presented. Rapid visual assessment performed after the 12 May aftershock (MW 7.3) highlighted the need for detailed assessment, thus, we carried out nonlinear time history analysis using the recorded accelerograms. The building was first simulated for the recorded acceleration time history (PGA = 0.16 g) and the PGA was scaled up to 0.36 g to assess the behaviour of building in the case of the maximum considered earthquake occurrence. The sum of results and observations highlighted that the building sustained minor damage due to low PGA occurrence during the Gorkha earthquake and considerable damage would have occurred in the case of 0.36 g PGA.

Analysis of Thermal Bridges in Loggias of Pre-Cast Concrete Apartment Buildings

The issue of complex regeneration of old pre-cast concrete apartment buildings is still a current task of everyday construction practice in the Czech Republic. When designing a new thermal insulation for the envelope of these buildings, we often encounter with critical assembly details. The correct solution of these details requires a detailed assessment in terms of the requirements of thermal protection of buildings. A correct assessment of these critical details is often very challenging and the ordinary designer is virtually unable to do it himself. This paper presents a practical and theoretical example of the design, solution and assessment of additional insulation of loggia loadbearing structures. Using the Ansys software platform, the critical details in 3D were designed and the influence of new thermal insulation on removal of the building defects was assessed. In conclusion, several proposals for possible rehabilitations and their expected efficiency were summarized.

Energy Renovation of Typical Concrete Apartment Building in Estonia by Using Wooden Modular Element

Energy Renovation of Typical Concrete Apartment Building in Estonia by Using Wooden Modular Element

Modern antiquity: An introduction to Athenian metropolitan modernity

Abstract This essay discusses the ways in which an idealized image of classical Athens contributed towards the formation of a city in which the coexistence between the ancient and the modern, old and new convey a unique urban experience. This ‘modern antiquity’, or the socially constructed and aesthetically perceived image of the city’s past as exclusively classical was promoted by a number of different actors, from German classicists who never visited Greece, English and French travellers, to Greek governments and communities of city dwellers. The essay focuses on the role of the latter two categories in the building of modern Athens and explores three spheres where the emphasis on antiquity redefined the city’s past and hindered its modernization, namely royal decrees, local and national governmental obstructions to an organized city plan, and the various perceptions of the city’s concrete apartment buildings.

<i>F<sub>c</sub></i> 200 N/mm<sup>2</sup>の超高強度コンクリートを用いたRC造集合住宅の設計・施工─西富久地区第一種市街地再開発事業─

東京都新宿区の西富久地区第一種市街地再開発事業は，住民主導による再開発として注目され，山手線内では最大高さとなる55階建て約180mの超高層住宅と，中層住宅および低層棟の最上階にペントハウス住戸を有する大型再開発物件である。今回，超高層棟の地上階柱に，Fc 200 N/mm2 の超高強度コンクリートを採用し，現場打込みコンクリートとして国内初の施工を行った。本稿では，本再開発の超高層棟の設計概要，基準階で採用したプレキャスト工法および超高強度コンクリートの概要と施工結果について報告する。

Traditional and viscous dissipative steel braced top addition strategies for a R/C building

A study concerning a double-storey extension on top of an existing reinforced concrete (R/C) apartment building is carried out for two different steel structural solutions. A traditional bracing configuration, and a dissipative bracing technology incorporating pressurised fluid viscous spring-dampers, are selected for the two hypotheses. The gravity load-bearing system is assumed to be coincident, in order to directly compare the seismic response capacities of the bracing systems. Furthermore, the following mutual design objectives are fixed: attaining operational, and immediate occupancy non-structural performance levels at frequent design earthquake and serviceability design earthquake levels, respectively; and limiting strengthening interventions on the R/C structure to jacketing maximum 20% of columns, and adding a thin R%C slab over the foundations. These objectives are reached at virtually coinciding costs. On the other hand, the viscous-dissipative bracing design shows substantially higher seismic performance at basic design and maximum considered earthquake levels, as well as lower architectural intrusion, as compared to the traditional bracing solution.

공동주택 바닥완충재의 재하시간에 따른 장기처짐 및 동탄성계수 평가

In reinforced concrete apartment buildings, the floor impact sound from the floor above can easily transfer to the house below. The number of environmental grievances due to floor impact sound occurring in apartment buildings is rapidly increasing in Korea. In order to reduce floor impact sound in apartment buildings, resilient damping materials placing between slab and finishing material offer a simple but effective solution. Korean standards association have established several standards on resilient damping materials to control their material qualities. This paper presents the test results of the properties of resilient damping materials subjected to long-term load. The experimental program involved conducting twenty four material tests under short-term load and thirty two specimens under long-term load. Three main parameters were considered in the experimental investigation: the eight types of resilient materials, weight of load, and loading periods. This experimental test focused specifically on the observation of the deflection and dynamic elastic modulus of resilient materials subjected to long-term load. Test results indicated that the duration of load strongly effects on the properties of resilient materials for reduction of floor impact sound.

Seismic Performance and Cost Evaluations of Reinforced Concrete Buildings with Various Ductility in Moderate Seismic Zone

This study is focused on the effects of the new standard of the building design under seismic loading in Thailand (DPT 1302-52) on cost estimates and the seismic performance of nine-story reinforced concrete apartment buildings with various ductility in moderate seismic zone and a gravity load designed (GLD) building. Both the nonlinear static pushover and nonlinear dynamic analyses are applied. Comparisons of performance point (PF) evaluation of studied frames are investigated by three different methods, namely, capacity spectrum method (CSM), inelastic demand diagram method (IDDM), and nonlinear time history analysis (NTHA) method. Five selected ground motion records are investigated in the analyses. In order to examine the influence of design ductility classes, the seismic forces on moment resisting frame buildings are defined according to the new standard of the building design under seismic loading in Thailand with ductility from 8, 5, and 3, corresponding to special ductile frame (SDF), intermediate ductile frame (IDF), and ordinary ductile frames (ODF), respectively. For the cost estimates, ODF is the most expensive among ODF, IDF, and SDF. Costs of SDF and IDF in Chiang Mai are quite similar. The results show that SDF is more ductile than that of ODF, however, the strength of SDF is less than ODF. The results indicate that all frames including GLD are able to withstand a design earthquake. The study also found that the average ductilities at the failure state for SDF, IDF, ODF, and GLD are 1.45, 1.42, 1.28, and 1.17, respectively. The average PGAs at the failure state for SDF, IDF, ODF, and GLD are 0.85 g, 0.83 g, 0.63 g, and 0.35 g, respectively when these buildings have the volumetric ratio of horizontal confinement within joint panel greater than 0.003. Moreover, at the failure state of GLD with volumetric ratio of horizontal confinement within joint panel less than 0.003, the average PGA is only 0.17 g which is lower than the design earthquake of PGA of 0.39 g in the draft DPT. The SDF and IDF are the two best options in consideration of cost and seismic performance.

Tower Neighborhood Revitalization in Toronto and Canadian Environmental Justice Politics

Abstract In 2008, Toronto's City Council agreed to support the Tower Renewal Project, an ambitious proposal to renew over 1,000 aging concrete high-rise apartment buildings constructed largely between the 1960s and 1980s in socially and economically marginalized areas across Toronto, Canada. Over 500,000 residents live in these comparatively affordable high-rise buildings. These structures now require significant environmental upgrades to conserve energy and reduce carbon emissions. In addition to proposing structural retrofits, the Tower Renewal Project is concerned with addressing environmental justice issues in high-rise neighborhoods such as the spatial organization of inequalities, transportation concerns, health inequalities, problems with existing zoning bylaws, and public participation. Despite the challenges to naming, framing, and applying the concept of environmental justice in Canada, this article argues that the Tower Renewal Project addresses environmental justice concerns and politics uniqu...

Seismic Performance of Building Structures with Spatial Variability

In this study the seismic performances of reinforced concrete apartment buildings with Y-shaped plans having central core are investigated. Three types of model structures are designed for each shape depending on the amount of shear partition walls: structures with all shear walls, structures with all columns except the core walls, and structures with shear walls and columns combined. The required amount of concrete is the largest in the all shear wall structures, and decreases as more and more shear walls are replaced with columns. According to nonlinear static and dynamic analysis results, the structures with all shear walls and all columns turn out to have the largest and the smallest strengths, respectively. Index Terms—Seismic performance evaluation, fragility analysis.

Seismic Performance Evaluation of Reinforced Concrete Moment Resisting Frames with Various Ductility in Low Seismic Zone

Problem statement: Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is at moderate risk for distant earthquake due to the ability of soft soil to amplify ground motion about 3-4 times although it locates in low seismic zone. In addition, before the enforcement of seismic loading for buildings in the Ministerial Law in 2007, many existing reinforced concrete buildings in Bangkok may have been designed without consideration for seismic loading and did not incorporate the special detailing provisions that required for ductile concrete frames. Now, guidelines for seismic loading of buildings of Thailand (DPT 1302-52) have been recently improved by adopting ASCE7-05. Approach: This study is focused on the effects of the new guidelines on cost estimates and the seismic performance of a nine-story reinforced concrete apartment building with various ductility by the nonlinear static and nonlinear dynamic analyses compared with a Gravity Load Designed (GLD) building. Five selected ground motion records are investigated in the analyses. In order to examine the influence of design ductility classes, the seismic forces on moment resisting frame buildings are defined according to the newly proposed seismic specifications of Thailand with ductility from 8, 5 and 3, corresponding to Special Ductile (SDF), Intermediate Ductile (IDF) and Ordinary Ductile (ODF) frames, respectively. The various frames are assumed to have collapsed if the local drift exceed of 3, 2.5, 2 and 1% for SDF, IDF, ODF and GLD, respectively. Results: SDF is more ductile than that of ODF, however, the strength of SDF is less than ODF. For inelastic designs, SDF decreases stiffness and increases deflection of structures. As for the effect on cost estimates, ODF is the most expensive among ODF, IDF and SDF. Costs of SDF and IDF in Bangkok are quite similar. The study found that the average PGAs for the failure state for SDF, IDF, ODF and GLD are 0.76, 0.60, 0.50 and 0.29g, respectively. Moreover, for the failure state of GLD with volumetric ratio of horizontal confinement within joint panel less than 0.003, the average PGA is only 0.15g. Conclusion/Recommendations: These various frame designs are predicted to just achieve the Immediate Occupancy (IO) performance level. The results also indicate that all frames including GLD are able to withstand a design earthquake. The SDF and IDF are the two best options in consideration of cost and seismic performance.

Earthquake loss estimation for reinforced concrete buildings: some problems

Capacity spectrum procedures developed for the assessment and strengthening of existing buildings have become the basis of methods for estimating potential post-earthquake losses which are today widely used in the insurance industry, and for urban risk mitigation programmes. The areas to which these methods are applied often contain (or largely consist of) reinforced concrete (RC) apartment buildings, which were built either before today's ‘ductile’ codes were introduced, or without benefit of them. Evidence from the performance of RC structures in recent earthquakes indicates, however, that failure very commonly occurs in a non-ductile manner, which makes such calculated vulnerability approaches of questionable validity. On the other hand, the alternative purely statistical approach to performance is unable to take account of many aspects of real building behaviour. This paper discusses the performance of RC buildings in recent earthquakes and compares this with the assumptions of the calculated vulnerability models commonly in use.

Ronan Point Apartment Tower Collapse and its Effect on Building Codes

In the early morning hours of May 16, 1968, the occupant of apartment 90 on the 18th floor of the 22-story Ronan Point apartment tower, in London, lit a match to brew her morning cup of tea. The resulting gas explosion initiated a partial collapse of the structure that killed four people and injured 17 (one of whom subsequently died). On investigation, the apartment tower was found to be deeply flawed in both design and construction. The existing building codes were found to be inadequate for ensuring the safety and integrity of high-rise precast concrete apartment buildings. The Larsen–Nielson building system, intended for buildings with only six stories, had been extended past the point of safety. The tower consisted of precast panels joined together without a structural frame. The connections relied, in large part, on friction. The apartment tower lacked alternate load paths to redistribute forces in the event of a partial collapse. When the structure was dismantled, investigators found appallingly poo...

Design-Construction of The Paramount — A 39-Story Precast Prestressed Concrete Apartment Building

At 39 stories and 420 ft (128 m) high, The Paramount (located in San Francisco, California) is the tallest concrete structure in addition to being the tallest precast, prestressed concrete framed building in Seismic Zone 4 (a double record). It is the first major high rise building to be braced by an architecturally finished exposed precast concrete ductile frame. The reinforcement used to create this seismic ductile frame includes post-tensioning and high strength reinforcing steel. All this represents a major milestone in the development of precast/prestressed concrete. The building is basically an apartment complex, although the lower floors accommodate retail space, vehicle parking and recreational amenities. This article presents the design considerations, construction highlights, research and development, and code approval process that led to the realization of this structure.