20. Structural Planning Process
20.8 Evolution Process I
To start with this job, the architect has to get some basic information from the client. These basic information includes the types of the buildings, the uses of the building, area of the siet ... etc. This information also has an important role in the design of the structural system. In this project, the proposed building is located in the campus of the University of Hong Kong. The building consists of an Art Gallery ( G/F to 2/F ), Academic Office and Lecture Rooms ( 3/F to 11/F ). The site coverage and plot ratios can also be calculated.
After gathering this information, there will be a site visit in order to carry out the site analysis. Since the building is built on a sloping site, site analysis will be quite important in the design of structural sysetm. During the site analysis, the structural engineers can have some data on the soil type, the location of the water table, existing roads and circulation and the information of the existing vegetation. With these data, the structural engineer can estimate the type of foundation used, the required retaining structures and the effects on the existing building.
Then the architect will start to design the building. During this stage, the architect has to keep in contact with the structural egineers so as to ensure that his design can be worked out at last. At this perio, preliminary designs on the structuralsystem will be introduced.
When the design of the building is nearly confirmed, the structural system will also be fixed. At this stage, the structural engineers may use the computer to make some analysis on the structure. The analysis ncludes the bending moment and shear of the structural member of the building, the moment distribution of the beam and the lateral deflection of the superstructure due to the wind load.
After these analysis, they will proceed to the detail design stage. During this stage, the exact dimensions of the beams and columns, the depth of the slab, the type of concrete used and the location of each structural members will be worked out. Then the structural plans will be drawn and the workers will follow these plans to construct the building.
For the T.T.T Building, the final structural ssytem are as follows :
The building is composed of four independent R.C. structures. They are oined together by expansion joint.
1. Main Building
The structural ssytem of the main building is a reinforced concrete beam-column rigid frame structure. Two core walls in which the staircases are located at the northern part of the building structure. The two core walls are symmetrically located to resist the wind and each loads in the cross direction. The floor acts as horizontal diaphragms to transmit the laetral loads in the longitudinal direction to the core and the resultant of the lateral loads acts through the centriod of the cores, then transmit down to the ground through the foundation of the building.
2. Deck for the pedestrian entrance from Bonham Road
This i sa slab and beam structural system, upported by columns and footings to form a pedestrian access to main building from Bonham Road. This structural ssytem will eliminate any addition lateral load imposed on the existing ertaining wall.
3. Deck for vehicles access at 3/F
This structural has been designed for HA loading to be imposed on the proposed slabs ad beams are supported by R.C. corbels projected from the main building with free and bearing pads while the others are supported by columns and caisson foundation.
Reinforced Concrete is a common building material in Hong Kong. It is economical and more flexible than the other building materials. The simple beam-and-column structural system is also common in Hong Kong.
