A review of the diagrid structural system for tall buildings

Abstract

Unlike vertical columns of traditional structure, diagrid structural systems for tall buildings have special inclined columns. Due to the inclined columns, a diagrid structural system for tall buildings produces axial force along the column direction under horizontal load, which has the advantage of resisting horizontal wind load and seismic load and gives more freedom to architectural design, so a diagrid structural system for tall buildings becomes an effective new structure style for tall and super-tall buildings. Theories and tests regarding the diagrid structural system for tall buildings have been intensely researched since the exterior tube of diagrid structural system for tall buildings was first proposed by Torroja in his seminal book. At present, studies for mechanical characteristics, joint form, theories, and tests have been systematized. This paper systematically summarizes existing research achievements of the diagrid structural system for tall buildings and confirms that the structure has larger lateral stiffness and good seismic performance. Based on the favourable performance of concrete-filled steel tubes, this paper advises the use of concrete-filled steel tube columns as the columns in diagrid structural systems for tall buildings. KEYWORDS calculation theory, diagrid structure, integral test, joints, mechanical characteristics, review 1 | INTRODUCTION Diagrid structural systems for tall buildings are known as diagrid structures. The system is different from the traditional structure, which is also called an orthogonal structure ( Figure 1a) and has vertical columns and horizontal beams. A diagrid structure has inclined columns and ring beams ( Figure 1b). [1] Under horizontal load, the inclined columns of a diagrid structure mainly bear horizontal lateral force and mainly produce axial force along the column direction, which avoids the second-order bending moment and makes full use of the bearing capacity of the component. However, the beams and columns of orthogonal structures bear horizontal lateral force and produce significant bending moment and axial force, which can produce second-order bending moments. The triangle formed by ring beams and inclined columns is more stable than the quadrilateral formed by vertical columns and horizontal beams. In the shape design, a diagrid structure has advantages of more freedom of shape design, higher internal space utilization, and more material savings. [2,3] The ideal prototype of a diagrid structure was derived from the sketch proposed by Torroja in his seminal book (Figure 2a) in 1960. Then, Hirschmann built the 13-story IBM Pittsburgh building (Figure 2b) in the 1960s, which brought the ideal prototype into an engineering practice. [4] The 100-story John Hancock Center (Figure 2c) built in 1968 became the second tallest building in the world, and whereas it is a braced tubular structure, it reflects the great potential of the diagrid structure. Due to higher costs of handling joints and the reduced demand for tall and super-tall buildings at tha...

Quantification of seismic performance factors of steel diagrid system

“…Elastic beam column elements were used to model horizontal beams. This type of modeling for horizontal beams is justified by the results of Kim and Lee, which showed that they do not dissipate earthquake energy . Also, some simplified models in this research, which showed that even for the large lateral deflections, these elements remain in elastic range.…”

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Performance‐based plastic design and collapse assessment of diagrid structure fused with shear link

“…This structural system utilizes diamond‐shaped grid units to create diagonally integrated megastructure. Many high‐rise diagrid structures have been built and recognized as landmarks in major cities worldwide, and this kind of structural system has not been well implemented in high seismic zones due to the lack of robust energy dissipation mechanism . Conventional steel diagrid structural system relies on large inelastic deformation of structural components to dissipate the sudden surge of earthquake energy.…”

Shaking table test and numerical simulation of a superimposed reinforced concrete shear wall structure

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