VERTICAL LOAD

Space Truss: Allows for the vast

majority of the gravitational load
to be supported at the exterior. By
doing so, this eliminated about
half of the dead load that there
usually is in tall buildings (less
steel was needed). The center
column, rising from the 25th floor,
bears the gravitational load and
resists the overturning moment.

21
Foundation
The foundation was poured
in place, and it is set on
several caissons. These
caissons were then
surrounded by concrete
diaphragming walls. Around
the vaults, the concrete
surrounding the stell plate is
three feet thick, so this type
of support system for the
base is carried up to the
fourth floor

22
 advantages
1. High Strength-to-Weight Ratio: Space
trusses are lightweight yet extremely
strong due to their geometric
arrangement, which efficiently distributes
loads.
2. Flexibility in Design: Space trusses can be
configured in various shapes and sizes,
allowing for flexibility in architectural
design. They can span large distances
without requiring intermediate supports,
providing open and unobstructed spaces.
3. Resistance to Dynamic Loads: Space
trusses are well-suited for structures that
experience dynamic loads, such as wind
or seismic forces.
disadvantages
1. Complexity in Analysis and Design:
Designing space trusses requires advanced
engineering analysis due to their intricate
geometries and load distribution
mechanisms.
2. Maintenance Challenges: Accessing and
maintaining components within the space
truss system, particularly in large or
elevated structures, can be challenging and
may require specialized equipment and
techniques.
3. Limited Space for Utilities: The triangular
voids within space trusses may limit the
available space for routing utilities such as
HVAC ducts, electrical wiring, and plumbing,
requiring careful planning and coordination.
23
CASE STUDY 3
CAYAN
TOWER
Location: Dubai Marina, UAE
Built by: Cayan Investment and Development
Architect: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
Building Height: 307 m
No. of Floors: 78
Introduction
The Cayan Tower draws inspiration from human
DNA composition, featuring a distinctive 90-
degree twist in its sculptural forms.
The luxury apartment building has a helical
shape, with each floor identical in plan but set 1.2
degrees clockwise from the floor below, creating
a visually striking and innovative design.
The tower maintains a floor-to-floor height of 3.7
meters, optimizing space utilization while offering
a comfortable living environment.

25
Structural System
reinforced concrete
The tower's unique form is achieved through a core

stepped columns scheme and a cylindrical core,

demonstrating a thoughtful integration of form reinforced
concrete
and structural efficiency. perimeter

The tower's lateral load resistance system

combines a reinforced concrete moment-resisting
perimeter tube frame with a circular central core
wall, ensuring structural stability.
Two-way spanning reinforced concrete flat plate
slabs act as diaphragms, connecting the
perimeter tube frame and central core wall at
each level.

26
 advantages
1. The twisted and helical design of Cayan
Tower sets it apart architecturally,
providing a distinctive and aesthetically
appealing structure in the skyline.
2. The design minimizes wind load and
solar heat gain compared to a
rectilinear building of the same height,
enhancing energy efficiency and
providing desirable views of the nearby
marina and gulf for a greater number of
tenants.
3. The structure significantly reduces
across-wind excitation by 25% or more,
enhancing stability and safety.
disadvantages
1. The helical and twisted design of the
tower may pose challenges during
construction, requiring specialized
techniques and skilled labour,
potentially increasing construction
costs and time.
2. Although the design aims to reduce
wind load, the helical shape may still
induce unique wind-induced vibrations.
3. The unique twisted design may result in
less efficient utilization of interior
space, limiting the flexibility of floor
plans and potentially impacting the
functionality of living spaces.
27
Materials
1. Reinforced Concrete Perimeter Tube Frame
2. Reinforced Concrete Core
3. Metal cladding panels that help to shade the
building interior from the intense sun.
4. High Performance Glass.

28
CASE STUDY 4
LOTTE WORLD
TOWER
Super frame structural system

29
 LOTTE WORLD TOWER, SOUTH KOREA
Introduction

Location: Seoul, South Korea

Architect: Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates
Structural engineer: Leslie E. Robertson Associates
Building Height: 555.7 m
Number of stories: 123 floors above the ground
Number of levels below ground: 6 stories
Space area: 1.4 million square feet
Ground floor area: 505 294 m²
Building use : mixed use vertical city
Building cost: $2.5 billion

30
 Building Ameneties
6th tallest building in the world that uses a vertical program strategy providing 12
different sets of spaces
Awards

Platinum Award – Structural Systems, 2018

American Council of Engineering Companies New York
(ACEC NY)

Diamond Award – Building/Technology Systems, 2018

American Council of Engineering Companies New York
(ACEC NY) Engineering Excellence Awards

Fifth Tallest Building Worldwide, 2017

Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH)

Certificate of Excellence - Best Mixed-Use, 2017

Perspective Magazine A&D Trophy Awards

New Building Award Finalist, 2016

Excellence in Structural Engineering, 2016
Structural Engineering Association of New York (SEAoNY)

Excellence in Structural Engineering, 2016

National Council of Structural Engineers Associations
(NCSEA)

Lotte World Tower super frame structural system 31

Structural System

8 concrete mega columns

A concrete core
Steel perimeter columns
Steel outrigger trusses
Steel belt truss
Top “lantern” uses a steel
diagrid system

Lotte World Tower super frame structural system 32

Structural System

Lotte World Tower super frame structural system 33

Structural System

The potential imbalance of the floor

was partly addressed by vertically
cambering the mega-columns during
construction, allowing forces to be
transferred through the outrigger
members as the mega-columns settle
further than the concrete core.

Only two levels of outriggers tying the

perimeter mega-columns to the
concrete core were needed to control
the tower’s drift and lateral
accelerations due to wind loads.

Lotte World Tower super frame structural system 34

 STEEL DIAGRID
Lantern
The diagrid “lantern” structure
at the top of the building
contains premium office,
museum, and observation
floors, which are also steel
framed with a slab-on-truss
deck. Though the tapered
shape of the building led to
challenging structural
complexities, it was effective
at minimizing wind loads.

The belt trusses transfer the

diagrid “lantern” structure to
the column configuration of
the hotel floors, as well as the
columns of the hotel floors to
the mega-columns at the
officetel and office floors.

Lotte World Tower super frame structural system 35

 super frame structural system
advantages
1. Performance in Seismic Activity
2. Tall and Slender Design,
maximizing the use of vertical
space.
3. Architectural Flexibility, allowing
for innovative and aesthetically
pleasing designs.
4. Efficient Use of Space, optimizing
the use of interior space for
various purposes such as offices,
residences, and other facilities.
disadvantages
1. Innovative structural systems, especially
those designed for supertall buildings, can be
complex and expensive to implement
2. Building supertall structures poses unique
challenges during construction. The
construction process for complex structural
systems may require specialized expertise,
technology, and equipment.
3. Taller buildings are susceptible to wind-
induced vibrations, and the structural system
needs to address this effectively.
4. Once a unique structural system is in place, it
may limit the ability to retrofit or modify the
building easily. This can be a disadvantage if
future needs or safety standards require
changes to the structure.
36
CASE STUDY 5
MARINA
BAY SANDS
Location: 10 Bayfront Ave, Singapore
Built by: Moshe Safdie
Architect: Ssangyong Engineering and Construction
Building Height: 195 m
No. of Floors: 57
Introduction
Marina Bay Sands' design is influenced by the
need for a continuous atrium throughout the three
towers.
Marina Bay Sands combines architectural flair
with a structurally innovative approach, focusing
on gravity loads and utilizing materials and
systems to optimize stability and efficiency.
The towers flare out at 26 degrees, structurally
resolved by prestressed concrete slabs and
trusses cutting across floors, addressing the
architectural flare.

38
Structural System
Reinforced concrete shear walls run in the
short direction (East-West).
There is a unique focus on gravity loads, unlike
other high-rise towers where wind is primary.
Additional concrete core walls in each tower
leg provide lateral stability, restraining forces
and preventing buckling.
Maximizes structural efficiency, aids
construction speed, and accommodates a 9'10"
floor-to-floor height.

39
 STRUCTURAL SYSTEM
Skypark
The structure of the Skypark that
spans between the towers is a system
of steel bridge trusses. The bridges
that are located atop the towers are
supported by raking steel “V” struts
that extend up from the roof of the
hotel towers directly over the shear
walls.

The cantilever section of the Skypark

was built from a system of post-
tensioned segmental steel box girders
33 feet deep and 12 feet wide with 1
3/8-inch-wide walls and 2 3/8-inch
flanges was used.

Lotte World Tower super frame structural system 40

Materials Material Selection was critical due to the permanent nature of lateral
loads (gravity), contrasting with transient wind loads.

1. Reinforced Concrete Core and Base.

2. High performance glass.
3. Steel trusses and segments.

41
 advantages
1. The structural design allows for an
iconic and visually striking architecture,
enhancing the landmark status of
Marina Bay Sands.
2. The system enables efficient interior
space utilization, crucial for a mixed-use
development, accommodating various
functions seamlessly.
3. The cantilevered Skypark, supported by
innovative structural elements, provides
a distinctive and attractive recreational
space with panoramic views.
disadvantages
1. The unique design contributes to increased
construction complexity and potentially
higher costs due to specialized materials
and techniques.
2. Accessing and maintaining complex
structural features, especially the
cantilevered section, may pose challenges,
requiring specialized equipment and
expertise.
3. The significant cantilever introduces
complex forces that may lead to structural
challenges over time, necessitating careful
monitoring and maintenance.
42
 m a r y
S u m Material advantages disadvantages

exceptional resistance to lateral forces, particularly wind

tube Concrete and steel potential reduction in interior usable space
and seismic loads

geometric complexity can increase construction

greater structural stability and strength while minimizing
diagrid Steel complexity, leading to higher labor costs and longer
the overall weight of the building
construction times

exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, offering high

structural efficiency and the ability to span large complexity in both design and construction, which can
space truss Steel
distances with minimal material usage. lead to higher costs and coordination challenges

thermal expansion or contraction

exoskeleton Steel flexible and column-free floor plan
creates a systemic thermal bridge

Steel
superframe produces super tall buildings building form depends on the building
Concrete

simplicity & convenience of its rectangular form

Steel provides flexibility in floor planning expensive fire-proofing
rigid frame
Reinforced Concrete fast construction expensive formwork
easily moldable

shear wall Reinforced concrete can withstand both gravity and lateral loads can be uneconomical for buildings higher than 35 floors

core & outrigger Reinforced concrete can be used for even higher buildings designing can be complex

flat plate and slab Reinforced concrete a very simple structural system to implement not optimal to very high buildings
Thank you for your
attention
References
LERA. (n.d.). Lotte World Tower. Retrieved (Feb, 2024), from
https://www.lera.com/lotte-world-
tower#:~:text=The%20tower%27s%20primary%20lateral%20load%20and%20gravity
%20systems,mechanical%2C%20refuge%2C%20sky%20lobby%20and%20hotel%20a
menity%20floors.
Structural Engineer, P.E. (2017). Deep Dive into the World of High-Rise Construction.
Structure Magazine, 23(5), 36-42. Retrieved (Feb,, from
EL-Tawab, (2015). Comparing the structural system of some contemporary high rise
building form. Journal of Architecture and Urban Planning, 10(3), 123-145.
https://fuje.journals.ekb.eg/article_22359_7e88c8d003e7164a836b582bcb05b995.p
df https://www.structuremag.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/D-Spotlight-May17.pdf.
https://global.ctbuh.org/resources/papers/download/26-case-study-marina-bay-
sands-singapore.pdf
https://faculty.arch.tamu.edu/anichols/courses/applied-architectural-
structures/projects-631/Files/MarinaBaySandsHotel.pdf
https://www.architectmagazine.com/design/buildings/cayan-tower-designed-by-
skidmore-owings-merrill_o
https://www.cud.ac.ae/sites/default/files/files/2016/azalia-naba-sarah-dugmush.pdf
https://global.ctbuh.org/resources/papers/download/1977-outrigger-system-design-
considerations.pdf
https://www.aiktc.ac.in/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/HIGH-RISE.pdf