Department of Civil Engineering

CONSTRUCTION OF MULTI -
STOREY STRUCTURES
CEB 4132

Construction of Multi Storey Structures

 CONCRETE FRAMED STRUCTURES
2

Reinforced concrete frame structure is actually a

connected frame of members which are firmly connected
to each other.
These connections are called moment connections.
There are also other types of connections which include
the hinged connections that are mostly used in steel
structures, but the concrete frame structures have moment
connections in almost all of the cases.
Construction of Multi Storey Structures
 Concrete Framed Structures cont…
3

The concrete framed structure should resist various

loads that act on the building during its life.
These loads include Dead loads, live loads (imposed
loads), wind loads, dynamic loads and earthquake
loads.

Construction of Multi Storey Structures

 Concrete Framed Structures cont…
4

Construction of Multi Storey Structures

 Major parts of the concrete frame
structures – Concrete Buildings:
5

1. Slab
These are the plate element and carry the loads
primarily by flexure.
They usually carry the vertical loads. Under the
action of horizontal loads, due to a large moment of
inertia, they can carry quite large wind and
earthquake forces, and then transfer them to the
Construction of Multi Storey Structures
beam.
 Major parts of the concrete frame
structures – Concrete Buildings cont…
6

2. Beams:
These carry the loads from slabs and also the direct
loads as masonry walls and their self-weights.
The beams may be supported on the other beams or may
be supported by columns forming an integral part of the
frame. These are primarily the flexural members.

Construction of Multi Storey Structures

 Major parts of the concrete frame
structures – Concrete Buildings cont…
7

3. Columns:
These are the vertical members carrying loads from the beams
and from upper columns. The loads carried may be axial or
eccentric. Columns are the most important when compared
with beams and slabs. This is because, if one beam fails, it‘ll be
a local failure of one floor but if one column fails, it can lead to
the collapse of the whole structure.

Construction of Multi Storey Structures

 Major parts of the concrete frame
structures – Concrete Buildings cont…
8

4. Foundations
These are the load transmitting members. The loads
from the columns and walls are transmitted to the
solid ground through the foundations.

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 Major parts of the concrete frame
structures – Concrete Buildings cont…
9

Construction of Multi Storey Structures

 Types of frame structures – Concrete
Buildings
10

1. Rigid structural frames: 

These frames are built at the site which may or may not
be poured monolithically. They provide more stability and
resist rotations effectively. The advantage of rigid frame is
that they feature positive and negative bending moments
throughout the structure due to interaction of walls,
beams and slabs.
Construction of Multi Storey Structures
 Types of frame structures – Concrete
Buildings
11

2. Braced structural frames: 

These frames resist lateral forces by the bracing action of
diagonal members. These are used to resist the side-way
forces. Buildings are braced by inserting diagonal
structural members into the rectangular areas of a
structural frame. Braced structural frames are more
efficient than the rigid structural frame.
Construction of Multi Storey Structures
 Braced frame
12

Construction of Multi Storey Structures

 Pre cast
13

In precast concrete construction, majority of structural members

are manufactured in manufacturing plants away from the
construction site. After that, they are delivered to the project site
to be erected.
Precast concrete construction system has its own characteristics
which influence the layout, span length, construction depth, and
stability system to a great extent.

Construction of Multi Storey Structures

 Pre cast cont...
14

Various connections have been developed to connect different

types of structural elements like beam to column connection and
panel to panel connection. In this manner, the imposed loads are
transferred from superstructure to the foundation.
Designers should consider the possibilities, restrictions,
detailing, manufacturer, transport, erection and serviceability
stages before finalizing the design of precast concrete structure.

Construction of Multi Storey Structures

 Elements in Precast Concrete Building
Systems
15

Structural elements used in the construction of precast

concrete buildings include:
Precast concrete wall (Panels)
Precast Slabs
Precast Beam and Girders
Precast Columns
Precast Stairs
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 Elements in Precast Concrete Building
Systems cont…
16

1. Precast concrete wall (Panels)

Construction of Multi Storey Structures

 Elements in Precast Concrete Building
Systems
17

2. Precast Slabs

Construction of Multi Storey Structures

 Elements in Precast Concrete Building
Systems
18

3. Precast Beam and Girders

Construction of Multi Storey Structures

 Elements in Precast Concrete Building
Systems
19

4. Precast Columns

Construction of Multi Storey Structures

 Elements in Precast Concrete Building
Systems
20

5. Precast Stairs

Construction of Multi Storey Structures

 Precast Concrete Construction
Considerations 
21

1. Erection Sequence
Precast concrete members shall be erected according
to preplanned sequence. The erection plan is
commonly prepared drawings If it is important for
structural stability and for access to connections at
specific location. The erection sequence shall avoid
multiple handling of elements. 
Construction of Multi Storey Structures
 Precast Concrete Construction Considerations
cont… 
22

2. Erection Safety
Safety during the handling and erection of precast
concrete elements is substantially important. Therefore,
all machines and equipment employed precast concrete
element handling and erection need to be maintained to
a high standard, load tested, and be suited to the
intended utilization.
Construction of Multi Storey Structures
 Precast Concrete Construction Considerations
cont… 
23

3. Erection Tolerances
Generally, the precast unit should be erected in
accordance with the tolerances provided by applicable
codes, unless other tolerances are used in the design
and specifications.

Construction of Multi Storey Structures

 Precast Concrete Construction Considerations
cont… 
24

4. Temporary bracing
Precast concrete elements must be adequately braced
and supported during all phases of erection to ensure
proper alignment and structural integrity until
permanent structural connections are completed.

Construction of Multi Storey Structures

 Precast Concrete Construction Considerations
cont… 
25

5. Propping
All temporary propping requirements must be shown on
the erection drawings. The design of temporary propping
systems should be in accordance applicable codes.

Construction of Multi Storey Structures

 Precast Concrete Construction Procedure
26

1. After the completion of construction preparations,

the layout of the structure is set.

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 Precast Concrete Construction Procedure
cont…
27

2. Then, the foundation of the columns are constructed

Construction of Multi Storey Structures

 Precast Concrete Construction Procedure
cont…
28

3. After that, the columns are placed using suitable

machines, and continuously checked by surveyor for
alignment.

Construction of Multi Storey Structures

 Precast Concrete Construction Procedure
cont…
29

4. Beams for precast frames, and precast floors in the

case of large panel systems and column-slab systems are
placed.

Construction of Multi Storey Structures

 Precast Concrete Construction Procedure
cont…
30

5. For precast frames, after the installation of precast

concrete beams, precast concrete floors are erected.

Construction of Multi Storey Structures

 Precast Concrete Construction Procedure
cont…
31

6. The above steps are followed until the

construction is finalized. For each system of precast
concrete construction, certain type of connections
are used.

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 Types of Connections
32

1. Beam to Column Connections

2 .Column to floor connection

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 Types of Connections cont…
33

1. Beam to Column Connections

Seated connections

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 Types of Connections cont…
34

2 .Column to floor connection

Seated connections
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 Advantages of Precast Concrete Construction
35

1. Reduced Construction Time and Cost

Precast concrete construction will save valuable time and helps to reduce
the risk of project delay and possible monetary losses.
Precast design and production of elements can be started while the
construction site is under survey or earthworks.
Production are also unaffected by weather conditions due to the
controlled environment of the casting area.
In conventional construction method, time-consuming works such as
formworks, scaffoldings and curing are needed to produce a structural
element.
Construction of Multi Storey Structures
 Advantages of Precast Concrete Construction
cont…
36

2. High quality and aesthetical value of products

Precast products are manufactured in a casting area where critical factors
including temperature, mix design and stripping time can be closely
checked and controlled; and this will ensure that the quality of precast
products are better than cast-in-situ concrete.
A huge sum of money will be saved by not having to do rectification works.
Also due to factory-controlled prefabrication environment, many
combinations of colours and textures can be applied easily to the
architectural or structural pieces

Construction of Multi Storey Structures

 Advantages of Precast Concrete Construction
cont…
37

3. Cleaner and safer construction sites

Usage of precast elements eliminates or greatly reduces
conventional formworks and props. Precast construction also
lessens the problem of site wastages and the related
environmental problems.
The prefabricated products also provide a safe working platform
for workers to work on. Workers and materials are also greatly
reduced at the construction sites.

Construction of Multi Storey Structures

 Advantages of Precast Concrete Construction
cont…
38

4. Increased Quality of Structural Elements

Precast concrete elements produced in plants using modern
techniques and machineries. Raw materials such as concrete,
sand, and reinforcement bars are under high level of quality
control. Formworks used are of higher quality than those used
at construction sites.

Construction of Multi Storey Structures

 Disadvantages of Precast Concrete
39

1. High Capital Cost

A large amount of resources must be invested initially to set
up a precast concrete plant.
Sophisticated machineries are expensive and require heavy
investment.
Pre - cast concrete is mainly used in construction of high-rise
buildings and flats, which are at least 5 storeys high.

Construction of Multi Storey Structures

 Disadvantages of Precast Concrete cont…
40

2. Sophisticated Connection Works

The behaviour of connections determines the
performance of precast concrete structures.
When assembling of precast concrete structures,
connections between precast components must be
supervised and done properly.

Construction of Multi Storey Structures

 Disadvantages of Precast Concrete cont…
41

3. Transportation, Handling Difficulties and Modification Limitation

Workers must be careful when handling precast concrete components to
avoid damage.
Precast components must be carried from the plants to the sites using
trailers. Usually, precast components are large and heavy, creating
difficulties in transportation.
Proper construction planning and site management is a must. Workers be
well trained to ensure that precast components are positioned and
connected properly to avoid cases where the columns, beams, walls, or slabs
are not well aligned, dislocated or out of plane.
Construction of Multi Storey Structures