Efficient three-dimensional modelling of high-rise building structures

A multi-storey building is habitually modelled as a frame structure which neglects the shear wall/slab openings along with the inclusion of staircases. Furthermore, the structural strength provided by shear walls and slabs is not precisely incorporated. With increasing building height, the effect of lateral loads on a high-rise structure increases substantially. Inclusion of shear walls and slabs with the frame leads to improved lateral stiffness. Besides, their openings may play imperative role in the structural behaviour of such buildings. In this study, 61 multi-storey building configurations have been modelled. Corresponding analyses are performed to cope with the influence of shear walls, slabs, wall openings, masonry walls and staircases in addition to frame modelling. The finite element approach is used in modelling and analysis. Structural responses in each elemental combination are evaluated through equivalent static and free vibration analyses. The assessment reveals that inclusion of only slab components with frame modelling contributes trivial improvement on structural performance. Conversely, the presence of shear wall slabs with frame improves the performance noticeably. Increasing wall openings decreases the structural responses. Furthermore, it is not recommended to model staircases in addition to frame–slab–shear wall modelling, unless the effect of wall openings and slab openings is adequately considered. First published online: 24 Oct 201

Analysis of Integral Bridges by Finite Element Method

AbstractAs temperatures change daily and seasonally, the spans of integral bridges increase and decrease, pushing the abutment against the approach fill and pulling it away. As a result the bridge superstructure, the abutment, the approach fill, the foundation piles and the foundation soil are all subjected to cyclic loading, and understanding their interactions is important for effective design and satisfactory performance of integral bridges. In this study, a finite element analysis has been performed to gain insight into the interactions between integral abutments, approach fills, foundation piles and foundation soils. The finite element analyses indicate appreciable rotations occur in integral abutments, resulting in the shear and moment reductions in the piles

Loading PCM Into Buildings Envelope to Decrease Heat Gain-Performing Transient Thermal Analysis on Nanofluid Filled Solar System

The high share of buildings in energy consumption and carbon dioxide emission has led researchers to seek techniques to reduce energy consumption in this sector. In this study, considering a hot and arid climate region, the wall’s heat gainwas investigated. To reduce energy demand, three techniques of adding PCM, combining absorption chiller with a solar system and dispersing nanoparticleswere used and the results were evaluated transiently. In July, the addition of PCM to the building’s walls reduced the heat exchange between interior and exterior spaces up to 21%. To cool the interior spaces, the combination of absorption chiller + fan coil was used and several flat plate collectors were integrated with it to reduce energy demand. By collecting energy in solar collectors and using a stratified tank, energy consumption in the generator section was reduced by 450 kWh. Nanoparticles were used to improve the solar system performance and it was found that loading ZnO and Al2O3 nanoparticles is useful. Dispersing ZnO into water increased the energy-saving by 9.5% while the second nanoparticle improved it by 14.5%