Design of Large Scale Building Structures

SPRING 2015
Columbia Faculty:
Richard L. Tomasetti, P.E., NAE, Hon. AIA, Founding Principal
Eli B. Gottlieb, P.E., Senior Principal
Elisabeth Malsch, PhD., P.E., Vice President
Thornton Tomasetti, Inc.
Modern challenges in the design of large scale building structures will be studied. Tall
buildings, large convention centers, and major sports stadiums present major
opportunities for creative solutions and leadership on the part of engineers. This course is
designed to expose the students to this environment by having them undertake the
complete design of a large structure from initial design concepts on through all the major
design decisions.
The students work as members of a design team to overcome the challenges inherent in
major projects. Topics include overview of major projects, project criteria and interface
with architecture, design of foundations and structural systems, design challenges in the
post 9/11 environment, and roles, responsibilities, and legal issues.
The course includes ten homework assignments, weekly presentations, a midterm
presentation, a final presentation and a final report. Unless otherwise noted, homework is
due one week after it is assigned. This is an advanced graduate course that requires selfstudy and reliance on the stated prerequisites. Attendance is very important and will be
recorded at the beginning of each class.
Session 1:
1/21/15

General overview of Engineering for major projects (part 1).

How structure influences the architectural design, using historical and
current examples.
Introduction to the project background, and history.
Prerequisite Homework Due
Assignment #1b Readings

Session 2:
1/28/15

General overview of Engineering for major projects (part 2). Benefits,

challenges and design & analysis issues for major structural systems for
some of the tallest buildings in the world and long span structures.
Assignment #1b Due
Assignment #2: Project Conceptualization & Design Issues, Readings

Session 3:
2/4/15

Discussion of typical bay framing studies and comparison with other

projects. Description of gravity load floor and column systems and
possible alternatives. Discussion of methods of analysis and design.
Distribute soils report and establish design criteria for the project.
Assign teams
Assignment #2 Due
Assignment #3: Floor Framing, Readings

Session 4:
2/11/15

Lateral load analysis. Static and dynamic analysis for wind and earthquake
loads. Analysis of thermal and volumetric changes. Approximate methods
of linear and nonlinear analysis.
Assignment #3 Due
Assignment #4: Preliminary Lateral loads, Readings

Session 5:
2/18/15

Lateral system analysis. Refined methods for analysis and approximation.

Assignment #4 Due
Assignment #5: Lateral load refinement, Readings

Session 6:
2/25/15

Geotechnical and foundation issues. Discussion of geotechnical report,

foundation options and various approaches to overcoming site specific
geotechnical challenges.
Assignment #5 Due
Assignment #6: Preliminary foundation system, Readings

Session 7:
3/4/15

Blast analysis and post 9/11 approaches to design

Assignment #6 Due

Session 8:
3/11/15

Midterm Presentation by design teams.

Midterm Break
3/18/15

Session 9:
3/25/15

Advanced analysis. A discussion of computer modeling and process for

lateral and vertical forces.
Assignment #7: 2D Computer model, Readings

Session 10:
4/1/15

Modern design methods including optimization.

Assignment #7 Due
Assignment #8: 3D Computer model, Readings

Session 11:
4/8/15

Modern faade engineering

Assignment #8 Due
Assignment #9: Optimization, Readings

Session 12:
4/15/15

Sustainability design
Assignment #9 Due
Assignment #10: Foundation Update, Readings

Session 13:
4/22/15

Failures and Forensics

Assignment #10 Due

Session14:
4/29/15

Final presentation.
Final Report Due

Design of Large Scale Building Structures

Assignments - Spring Semester 2015
ASSIGNMENT # 1b: READING REVIEW AND DISCUSSION (Due 1-28-15)
Why Buildings Stand up, Salvadori
Chapter 3
Loads (pp 43 58)
Chapter 7
High Rise (pp 107 125)
Chapter 13
Domes (pp 225 245)
Chapter 14
Hagia Sophia (pp 246 258)
1.
2.

Prepare a 100 word maximum, double spaced, summary of new material

you specifically learned from these chapters. (Not just a summary of the
chapters.) Add one question for class discussion.
Based on the readings and the lectures, prepare a 100 word maximum,
double spaced, summary of what you believe is the difference between
the structural design and analysis of a high-rise and a low-rise building.

ASSIGNMENT # 2: PROJECT CONCEPTUALIZATION & DESIGN ISSUES

(Due 2-4-15)
1. Prepare a brief (one page max) concept of a lateral system for the
course project. Include a sketch.
2. Prepare a brief outline report (1 page max) identifying the critical design
issues for the project.
Additional Readings: CTBUH Chapters 16 & 17, TBS Chapters 1,2,3
ASSIGNMENT # 3: FLOOR FRAMING (Due 2-11-15)
1. Develop typical bay studies for floor framing in a 30 by 40 bay. Compare the
weights of each of the following schemes.
Steel framed with composite slab-on-deck
Flat plate concrete
Post Tensioned concrete
Concrete Beam and joist
2. Frame a typical floor of the project building with the scheme assigned to your
team. Find the weight of the floor at each of the columns.
a. Sketch your floor framing
b. Estimate the total weight of the floor framing at the bottom of the
building
Associated Readings: TBS Chapter 4

ASSIGNMENT # 4: PRELIMINARY LATERAL ANALYSIS (Due 2-18-15)

1. Based on concepts diagrams and loads developed in Assignments 2 and 3:
a. Calculate the seismic mass and approximate seismic loads. Provide
the base shear and overturning moment at the bottom of your
building for this loading.
b. Calculate the wind load. Provide the base shear and overturning
moment at the bottom of your building.
c. Provide a sketch for the load path for the lateral loads through your
lateral system.
d. Estimate the forces at least 3 levels within your building and
provide core or column and bracing sizes at those levels. Include
the gravity loads determined in Assignment 3.
e. Estimate the deflection of your building. Adjust the sizes of your
core or columns and bracing if the deflection is unacceptable.
f. Estimate the total weight of your structural system.
Associated Readings: TBS Chapter 17, CTBUH Chapters 19 & 20

ASSIGNMENT # 5: LATERAL LOAD REFINEMENT (Due 2-25-15)

1. Develop a spreadsheet to verify the results from your preliminary load
analysis. Use the techniques described in the textbook.
a. Provide column and bracing or core sizes at each level of your
building.
b. Calculate the total gravity load of your structural system. Compare
to the weight estimated in Assignment #4 and the weight of only
the floor framing in Assignment #3.
ASSIGNMENT # 6: PRELIMINARY FOUNDATION SYSTEM (Due 3-4-15)
1.
2.
3.
4.

Using the geotechnical investigation report for the site, propose foundation
solutions, consider any special conditions on the site.
Develop detailed design for the typical foundation elements to support the
columns and all lateral system elements.
Suggest the implications of the lateral loads from the building on your
choice of foundation system.
Develop sketches and/or drawings of foundation layout and details of
typical elements.

Associated Readings: CTBUH Chapter 18

MIDTERM PRESENTATION: (Due 3-11-15)

Present Conceptual design of building developed in assignments 1 thru 6 in a tenminute presentation. At least three group members must speak. The group
members who do not speak must speak during the final. All group members must
be present.
Teams should present the building concept floor framing and the
lateral system.
A discussion of advantages and disadvantages for each building type
should be presented.
Difficulties or problems encountered in preliminary design should be
addressed.

ASSIGNMENT # 7: 2D COMPUTER MODEL (Due 4-1-15)

Verify the results from Assignment 5 by developing a 2D computer model.
a. Calculate base shear and overturning
b. Calculate the deflection of your building for the governing lateral
service loads
ASSIGNMENT # 8: 3D COMPUTER MODEL: (Due 4-8-15)
Verify the results from Assignments 5 and 6 highlight and explain any differences
in load path resulting from the 3D model.
a. Calculate the base shear and overturning
b. Calculate the deflection of your building for the governing lateral
service loads
ASSIGNMENT # 9: OPTIMIZATION: (Due 4-15-15)
Optimize the steel member sizes or core size in the 3D model. Hi-light which
member sizes were changed and explain why. Show the change in tonnage
associated with the optimization.
ASSIGNMENT # 10: FOUNDATION UPDATE: (Due 4-22-15)
Refine your foundation design from Assignment 6 taking into account the refined
loading from Assignment #9. Explain any changes required to the foundation as a
result of the refined loading. Sketch reinforcement details.

FINAL PRESENTATION: (Due 4-29-15)

Present design of building developed over the semester. The audience for the
final presentations will include Developers, Contractors, Architects and
Engineers.
Teams should present the building concept system designs for gravity,
wind and seismic; including the foundations.
Construction methods and systems for this building type should be
addressed.
Cost estimates should be presented
Advantages and Disadvantages should be discussed.
FINAL REPORT: (Due 4-29-15)
A final report of the complete design and discussion embodied in the presentation
shall be turned in at the final presentation.
Please submit a pdf copy to Courseworks or on CD or USB stick containing the
final presentation and report. Please do not submit a paper copy.

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
Design of Large Building Structures
Spring Term 2015
REFERENCE MATERIAL
Ref. 1

New York City 2008 Construction Code, Chapter 16, (accessible online at www.nyc.gov)

Ref. 2

International Building Code, Chapter 16

Ref. 3

American Society of Civil Engineers, Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other
Structures. SEI/ASCE 7.

Ref. 5

Manual of Steel Construction, American Institute of Steel Construction, Chicago, Illinois.

Ref. 6

ACI 318, Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete.

Ref. 7

Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute, CRSI Handbook.

PAPERS & ARTICLES

Art. 1

Concrete and Structural Steel Together, Tomasetti & Joseph, The Concrete Industry Board
Bulletin Vol. 38 No. 2 June 2002

Art. 2 Current Evolution of Tall Building Structures, Tomasetti, Australasian Structural

Engineering Conference, Sydney, Australia September 1994

RECOMMENDED READING MATERIAL

Rec. 1

Tall Building Structure - Analysis and Design, Smith and Coull. (Textbook)

Rec. 2

Why Buildings Stand Up, Salvadori

Rec. 3 Parker, Wood ed. The Tall Buildings Reference Book. CTBUH, 2013
Rec. 4

Why Buildings Fall Down, Salvadori and Levy.

Rec. 5 Taranath, Bungale S. Structural Analysis and Design of Tall Buildings: Steel and Composite
Construction. CRC Press, 2012
Rec. 6 Expressing Structure, The Technology of Large Scale Buildings, Fairweather
Rec.7

Bradford Landau, Sarah and Condit, Carl W., The Rise of the New York Skyscraper 1865-1913,
Yale University Press, 1996

Rec. 8 Nash, Eric P., Manhattan Skyscrapers, Princeton Architectural Press, 2005
Rec. 9 Sheard, Rod, The Stadium, Periplus Press
Rec. 10 Yit Lin Chew, Michael Construction Technology for Tall Buildings (4th Edition) World
Scientific 2012
Rec. 11 Tamboli, Akbar R. Handbook of Structural Steel Connection Design and Details (2nd ed) 2010
SECURITY AND PROTECTIVE DESIGN
Chapter 22 Protective Design of Structures Building Security-Handbook for Architectural Planning and
Design, Tomasetti & Abruzzo
Reduce Damage, Increase Safety, The Military Engineer, Abruzzo, Panariello
American Society of Civil Engineers, Structural Design for Physical Security: State of the Practice
(Committee Report)
Introduction to Structural Dynamics, Biggs
Explosive Loading of Engineering Structures, Bulson
Blast and Ballistic Loading of Structures, Smith
Internet Resources
Blast Mitigation Action Group
http://bmag.pecpl.now.usace.army.mil
CHB Industries (Window Films)
http://www.chbwindowfilm.com
Government Standards
http://www.oca.gsa.gov
www.nist.gov

FORENSICS AND FAILURES

Cuoco and Panariello The Engineering Investigation Process Forensic Structural Engineering
Handbook., Ratay ed. (Available online through Clio)
Forensic Information Modeling Malsch, Panariello et. al. Civil Engineering, ASCE January 2013
Calculating Collapse: Analytical Approaches for Investigating the Cause of the I-35 West Bridge Failure
Malsch, Panariello et. Al. ICE

ADDITIONAL INTERESTING READING

Brunelleschis Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture, King
Art and Physics: Parallel Visions in Space, Time and Light, Shlain.
History of Architecture: Settings and Rituals, Kostof, Castillo, Tobias, Revised by Castillo
American Ground: Unbuilding the World Trade Center, Langewiesche
City in the Sky: The Rise and Fall of the World Trade Center, Glanz & Lipton
Boorstin, Daniel J., The Creators, Part III: The Power of Stone, Chapter 9 The Mystery of
Megaliths, Chapter 10 Castles of Eternity, Chapter 11 Temples of Community, Chapter 12 Orders
for Survival, Chapter 13 Artificial Stone: A Roman Revolution, Chapter 14 Dome of the World,
Chapter 15 The Great Church, Chapter 16 A Road Not Taken: The Japanese Triumph of Wood, Part
VI: Otherworldly Elements, Chapter 29 An Architecture of Light, Part X: Conjuring with Time and
Space, Chapter 56 The Rise of the Skyscraper