Selection of optimum structural systems and materials

Abstract

This paper proposes procedures and guidelines for the selection of optimum structural systems and materials in two stages. Stage one is based on a list of criteria, including architectural considerations. Stage two evaluates selected systems and materials for optimum performance of criteria considered critical for a given project. A tall office building in Dammam, Saudi Arabia is used as a case study to compare three structural systems: moment frame, braced frame, and shear wall; as well as two materials: concrete and steel. The case study considers four building heights: 10, 20, 30, and 40 stories. The STAAD Pro 2005 software is used to analyze these systems according to allowable stress requirements for an objective function to minimize drift, at minimal cost for a wind speed of 90 mph. Shear wall is the optimum structural system and concrete the optimum material to minimize lateral drift at minimum material and labor costs.