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Structural Success Story

Posted September 28, 2006 8:39 AM
Pathfinder Tags: concrete structural supports

Is it possible for an 80 ft span of 8 in. thick reinforced concrete slab to be structurally supported without the use of steel beams and/or columns? This is precisely the challenge faced by structural engineers when designing the new 110,000 sq ft Architecture and Art Building at Prairie View A&M University. How did they tackle the problem of an unsupported floor slab? By creating an innovative composite tri-chord truss. While the single centenary-shaped bottom chord remains exposed, the two top chords are embedded in the concrete slab. The design has proved so effective, reports GoStructural, that even vibrations that commonly occur in pedestrian bridge-like designs have been virtually eliminated.

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ccoop610
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Join Date: Nov 2005
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Good Answers: 9
#1

Re: Structural Success Story

09/28/2006 10:07 AM

Cool!
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masu
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Location: Port Noarlunga, South Australia, AUSTRALIA (South of Adelaide)
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#2
In reply to #1

Re: Structural Success Story

09/29/2006 7:29 AM

When I was a apprentice I remember working on a skyscraper in Sydney Australia that used pre-stressed steel cable re-enforcing for the floor in a very elaborate spider web like pattern. The result was a building that consisted of a concrete core with the lift shafts, fire stairs etc. in it and eight columns around the periphery of the building and absolutely no internal columns supporting the floors. Since it didn't have a steel frame I believe it held the record for a while as the tallest concrete structure in the world.

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Anonymous Poster
#5
In reply to #2

Re: Structural Success Story

10/17/2006 8:47 PM

Hi, I like your experience.I think it very interesting!

I'm also in this line. Hope to talk with you online one day: (MSN) xtgxing@hotmail.com

(YAHOO) dosfg@yahoo.com.cn
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Blink
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Join Date: Aug 2006
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#3

Re: Structural Success Story

09/29/2006 11:11 AM

Very nice.... although I'd have to say that the exposed bottom chord is letdown: the structure is then not really 8" think. Imagine the tension in that lower chord. Good that it is exposed -- would be quite a shock if someone damaged it while doing unanticipated future work on the building.

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masu
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Australia - Member - New Member Fans of Old Computers - H316 - New Member Hobbies - Model Rocketry - New Member

Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Port Noarlunga, South Australia, AUSTRALIA (South of Adelaide)
Posts: 3048
Good Answers: 75
#4
In reply to #3

Re: Structural Success Story

09/29/2006 11:28 AM

Exactly right. On the site I was referring to drilling holes in the slab would get you a free flying lesson from the 68th floor.

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 An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.
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Anonymous Poster
#6

Re: Structural Success Story

10/17/2006 9:57 PM

What about expansion?

Frequency vibration is what?

Is it hollow core?
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