• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.13-20
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• 2017

High-rise building shapes are changing from orthogonal to irregular form and the current trend is to arrange members in geometric grid-patterns at the perimeter of buildings. This study proposes a simple model for the preliminary design of a hexagrid high-rise building. The size of the cross section is set to be different at each module and hexagrid unit, which is different from the previous studies in which all hexagrid members were the same. To examine the effect of hexagrid size on structural performance, 60-story hexagrid buildings with 1-, 2- and 4-story high modules are designed and analyzed. Maximum lateral displacement, steel tonnage, load carrying percentage of perimeter frame and combined strength ratio are compared for 15 buildings. As the lateral load carrying capacity of hexagrid structure was inferior to a diagrid structural system, proper lateral stiffness should be allocated to the core frame in a hexagrid structure. The best ratio of flexural to shear deformation was 4 and larger unit size was better in considering constructional cost and structural efficiency. As the maximum lateral displacements of the buildings were within 84%~108% of the limit, the proposed method seems to be applicable to preliminary design of hexagrid buildings.

• International Journal of High-Rise Buildings
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.251-262
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• 2016

Tall Buildings have been one of the most prominent symbols of economic growth for nearly a century. Yet, in the aftermath of the tragedies of September 11, "signature" Tall buildings have become the focus of much debate. The structural systems today are undergoing a major evolution to address the ability of providing flexibility in the design and use of the building together with sustainability (Green) and cost-effective system. This paper describes a new invented structural system, evolutionary structural analysis and design of Tall buildings, which involves the entire analysis process, including conceptual and design stages and comparison with the existing Tall building. This study presents an new innovative structural system, Beehive (Hexagrid), for Tall buildings. The final results are achieved by modeling an 80 story Tall building with the optimized angle and topology of hexagon members by using a computer analysis, ETABS finite element analysis. The objective function of this system is to use one structural system in order to both maximize Eigen frequency for resisting dynamic responses and minimize mean compliance for static responses. Finite element analysis is carried out by using standardized materials. Optimal Hexagrid topologies with the highest stiffness are finally determined to resist both static and dynamic behaviors. Holistic design integration approaches between structures and facades to save energy for environmental control are studied. Innovative design ideas to control structural motion as well as to utilize that motion to harness energy are discussed. Considering abundant emergence of tall buildings all over the world in recent years, the importance of the studies presented in this paper cannot be overemphasized for constructing more sustainable built environments.