Final Thesis Report

Structural Depth

The purpose of this study is to redesign the existing structural system of the building, while determining whether or not the existing design is the most efficient.  The proposed gravity system of the structure consists of a two way flat plate slab supported by reinforced concrete columns.  This system allows for little change in the buildings column grid and floor plans.  The planned lateral system of the building originally consisted of reinforced concrete shear walls located around the stair and elevator shafts of the building.  However, after initial design analysis the design was updated to include exterior concrete moment frames.  These moment frames will add stiffness to the building along with reducing the torsional effects of the lateral forces.

The shear walls in the building were designed as ordinary reinforced concrete shear walls because of the seismic design category that the building falls in.  In contrast, the concrete moment frames of the building are designed as intermediate moment frames so more in depth detailing, reinforcement and design could be explored as part of the study.  Overall, the new lateral system is designed to comply with all code requirements as laid out in ASCE 7-05 and ACI 318-08. 

Breadth Studies

Ttwo breadth studies will be completed as a way to see how the change in structure impacts other systems within the building.  The acoustics study to be performed was requested by the owner because of concerns stemming from the amount of sound transmission that would occur from noisy spaces into the apartment units.  Finally, an architectural detailing study will be completed in order to determine the impact that changing the structure has on the placement of the mechanical systems of the building. 

To view the entire Final Thesis Report as a PDF please click here 
To view the Executive Summary as a PDF please click here 
To view the Appendices only as a PDF please click here