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Version 2.

May 2008

10.0 Transfer Structures

10.1 According to Cl. 5.5 of the Code, transfer structures are horizontal elements
which redistribute vertical loads where there is a discontinuity between the
vertical structural elements above and below.
10.2 In the analysis of transfer structures, consideration should be given to the
followings as per Cl. 5.5 of the Code :
(i)
Construction and pouring sequence the effects of construction
sequence can be important in design of transfer structures due to the
comparatively large stiffness of the transfer structure and sequential built
up of stiffness of structures above the transfer structure as illustrated in
Figure 10.1;
(ii)
Temporary and permanent loading conditions especially important
when it is planned to cast the transfer structures in two shifts and use the
lower shift to support the upper shift as temporary conditions, thus
creating locked-in stresses;
(iii) Varying axial shortening of elements supporting the transfer structures
which leads to redistribution of loads. The phenomenon is more serious
as the transfer structure usually possesses large flexural stiffness in
comparison with the supporting structural members, behaving somewhat
between (a) flexible floor structures on hard columns; and (b) rigid
structures (like rigid cap) on flexible columns;
(iv)
Local effects of shear walls on transfer structures shear walls will
stiffen up transfer structures considerably and the effects should be taken
into account in more accurate assessment of structural behaviour;
(v)
Deflection of the transfer structures will lead to redistribution of loads
of the superstructure. Care should be taken if the structural model above
the transfer structure is analyzed separately with the assumption that the
supports offered by the transfer structures are rigid. Re-examination of
the load redistribution should be carried out if the deflections of the
transfer structures are found to be significant;
(vi)
Lateral shear forces on the transfer structures though the shear is lateral,
it will nevertheless create out-of-plane loads in the transfer structures
which needs be taken into account;
(vii) Sidesway of the transfer structures under lateral loads and unbalanced
gravity loads should also be taken into account. The effects should be
considered if the transfer structure is analyzed as a 2-D model.
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Version 2.3

Stage (1) :
Transfer Structure (T.S.)
just hardened

Stage (2) :
Wet concrete of 1/F just
poured

May 2008

Stage (3) :
1/F hardened and 2/F wet
concrete just poured

2/F

1/F

1/F
G/F
G/F

G/F

Stress/force in T.S. : {FT} due


to own weight of T.S.
Stiffness : the T.S only

Stage (4) :
2/F hardened and 3/F wet
concrete just poured

Stress/force in T.S. : {FT} +


{F1}, {F1} being force
induced in transfer
structure due to weight of
1/F structure.
Stiffness : the T.S. only.

Stage (5) :
3/F hardened and 4/F wet
concrete just poured

4/F
3/F

2/F

1/F

1/F

Stress/force in T.S. : {FT} +


{F1} + {F2} + {F3}, {F3}
being force induced in T.S.
due to weight of 3/F
structure.
Stiffness : T.S. + 1/F + 2/F

Stage (6) and onwards


Structure above transfer
structure continues to be
built. Final force induced on
T.S. becomes {Fn} + {Fn-1}
+ {Fn-2} + ........... + {F2 } +
{F1} + {FT}.

3/F

2/F

G/F

Stress/force in T.S. being due


to {FT} + {F1} + {F2}, {F2}
being force induced in
transfer structure due to
weight of 2/F structure.
Stiffness : the T.S. + 1/F.

G/F

Stress/force in T.S. : {FT}


+ {F1} + {F2} + {F3} +
{F4}, {F4} being force
induced in T.S. due to
weight of 4/F structure.
Stiffness : T.S. + 1/F + 2/F
+ 3/F

Figure 10.1 Diagrammatic illustration of the Effects of Construction Sequence of


loads induced on transfer structure

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May 2008

10.3 Mathematical modeling of transfer structures as 2-D model (by SAFE) :


The general comments in mathematical modeling of transfer structures as 2-D
model to be analyzed by computer methods are listed :
(i)
The 2-D model can only be analyzed against out-of-plane loads, i.e.
vertical loads and out-of-plane moments. Lateral loads have to be
analyzed separately;
(ii)
It is a basic requirement that the transfer structure must be adequately
stiff so that detrimental effects due to settlements of the columns and
walls being supported on the transfer structure are tolerable. In view of
the relatively large spans by comparing with pile cap, such settlements
should be checked. Effects of construction sequence may be taken into
account in checking;
(iii) The vertical settlement support stiffness should take the length of the
column/wall support down to a level of adequate restraint against further
settlement such as pile cap level. Reference can be made to Appendix H
discussing the method of Compounding of vertical stiffness and the
underlying assumption;
(iv)
Care should be taken in assigning support stiffness to the transfer
structures. It should be noted that the conventional use of either 4 EI / L
or 3EI / L have taken the basic assumption of no lateral movements at

(v)

the transfer structure level. Correction to allow for sidesway effects is


necessary, especially under unbalanced applied moments such as wind
moment. Fuller discussion and means to assess such effects are discussed
in Appendix H;
Walls which are constructed monolithically with the supporting transfer
structures may help to stiffen up the transfer structures considerably.
However, care should be taken to incorporate such stiffening effect in the
mathematical modeling of the transfer structures which is usually done
by adding a stiff beam in the mathematical model. It is not advisable to
take the full height of the wall in the estimation of the stiffening effect if
it is of many storeys as the stiffness can only be gradually built up in the
storey by storey construction so that the full stiffness can only be
effected in supporting the upper floors. Four or five storeys of walls may
be used for multi-storey buildings. Furthermore, loads induced in these
stiffening structures (the stiff beams) have to be properly catered for
which should be resisted by the wall forming the stiff beams;
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May 2008

10.4 Modeling of the transfer structure as a 3-dimensional mathematical model can


eliminate most of the shortcomings of 2-dimensional analysis discussed in
section 10.3, including the effects of construction sequence if the software has
provisions for such effects. However, as most of these softwares may not have
the sub-routines for detailed design, the designer may need to transport the
3-D model into the 2-D model for detailed design. For such transportation,
two approaches can be adopted :
(i)

Transport the structure with the calculated displacements by the 3-D software
(after omission of the in-plane displacements) into the 2-D software for
re-analysis and design. Only the displacements of the nodes with external loads
(applied loads and reactions) should be transported. A 2-D structure will be
re-formulated in the 2-D software for re-analysis by which the structure is
re-analyzed by forced displacements (the transported displacements) with
recovery of the external loads (out-of-plane components only) and subsequently
recovery of the internal forces in the structure. Theoretically results of the two
models should be identical if the finite element meshing and the shape functions
adopted in the 2 models are identical. However, as the finite element meshing of
the 2-D model is usually finer than that of the 3-D one, there are differences
incurred between the 2 models, as indicated by the differences in recovery of
nodal forces in the 2-D model. The designer should check consistencies in
reactions acting on the 2 models. If large differences occur, especially when
lesser loads are revealed in the 2-D model, the designer should review his
approach;
External nodal
force is {F2D}
{F3D} after
re-analysis

External nodal
force is {F3D}

3-D model (usually coarser meshing)


with displacements at nodes with
external loads marked with

2-D model (usually finer meshing) with


nodal forces recovered by forced
displacement analysis at nodes marked
with

Figure 10.2 3-D model to 2-D with transportation of nodal displacements


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