DIAGRID STRUCTURE

Space Truss Steel

INTRODUCTIONS:-
• Firstly introduced by Vladimir Grigoryevich Shukhov as hyperboloid towers for water tanks. Then revived by
Norman Foster

• Consists of structure with an RCC core and grid of diagonal members around

• Use of perimeter diagonals—hence the term ‘diagrid’—for structural effectiveness and esthetics

• In late 19th century early designs of tall buildings recognized the effectiveness of diagonal bracing members in
resisting lateral force

• Almost all the conventional vertical columns are eliminated

• Triangulation provides efficient load carrying system

• Diagonal members in diagrid structural systems can carry gravity loads as well as lateral forces

• Carry shear by axial action of the diagonal members and lateral by bending of diagonal member
Ring
beams

Diagonal length
Floor beams

Diagonal angle

ELEVATION
PLAN
 IDENTIFICATION OF LOAD & LOAD TRANSFER

● Gravity load = axial action

DEAD LOAD BM ● Lateral load = vertical
tension/ bending of
diagonal columns
Mg L
Compressive Tension A Lateral force
force force T
E
R tension
A Փ
Փ SHEAR
L
FORCE
Mg/2cos (90- Mg /2 *tan(90-Փ) tension
Փ) tension L
O
Mg/2sin(90-Փ) Mg/2sin(90-
A Փ)*cosՓ
TRIANGULAR D
MEMBER

Forces towards each other :compression Forces against each other: tension
 Each node joint is designed for
BENDING vertical loading as well as for the
MOMENT lateral loading

N N

Փ Փ

N/2cos(90-Փ)

N/2 *tan(90-Փ)
Under vertical load Under horizontal load
NODES AND
JOINERY DETAILS
• Welded nodes are preferred but are time
and skill demanding

• Bolded connections are used for

speedier erections

• The sections used – circular or I beam or

rectangular
Comparison
● Load due to Lateral forces

● 37 degree showed the

Smallest deflection at top due to
lateral forces

● Followed by 62, 82, standard

A DIAGRID STRUCTURE HAS AT LEAST TWICE THE CAPACITY OF BEARING STRESS AS THE
STANDARD STRUCTURE
 SHEAR FORCE AND BENDING MOMENT COMPARISON
A
X
I
A
L

F
O
R
C
E

B
E
N
D
I
N
G

M
O
M
E
N
T
Provides both bending
and shear rigidity
resisting both
compression and
tension
Very effective in case of
buildings up to 70-100
story

ADVANTAGES
• Diagrid structure provides more flexibility
in planning interior space and façade of the
building, Mostly column free exterior and
interior
• Aesthetics and functionality of a building
are improved simultaneously through
diagrid.
• Generous amounts of day lighting due to
dearth of interior columns and structure
• Structural performance: Diagrid building shows less lateral
displacement and drift in comparison to conventional
building.
• Material saving property: Although volume of concrete
used in both building is approx. same, but diagrid shows
more economical in terms of steel used. Diagrid building
saves about 33% steel without affecting the structural
efficiency.
• Better resistance to lateral loads: Due to diagonal columns
on its periphery, diagrid shows better resistance to lateral
loads and due to this, inner columns get relaxed and carry
only gravity loads.
• Lesser Design Efforts: While in conventional building both
inner and outer column are designed for both gravity and
lateral loads.
 AGES
DISADVANT
• They require skilled workers to work with nodes, fabrication is
also needed hence expensive in construction

• disadvantage of using concrete for the configuration is that it

is an expensive formwork and the construction is slow.

• The major disadvantages of diagrid system are that it is still

not completely explored. This construction needs a skilled labor
and the present crew has no idea or the experience in installing
diagrids.

• As the diagrid completely takes over the aesthetic appearance

of the building, the design is limited only to diagrid.
Design
Methodology
There are three ways to design diagrid
structures

A. Optimization Technique

B. Stiffness Based Methodology

 It consists of two methodologies
A. Optimization • To evaluate desired angles of diagonal members consisting of diagrid with
Technique respect to stiffness of optimal topology

• To investigate or understand global and topological diagrid mechanism by

using topology optimization technique

dynamics-based optimization model is, in general, written as max:

ωi (i=1, ..., m)

subject to ajj ≤ aj ≤ aji (j=1,…,n) ad = f ( aj )

• aj denotes the design variable, representing the j-th independent finite

element and ad is an arbitrary value which derives a dynamic governing
function f depending on aj into zero. aj and aj denote the lower (almost 0 for
voids) and upper (1 for solids) bounds of the design variable, respectively.

• In order to yield the optimum position model of fixed support models for
distributing material density, sensitivity derivatives need to be studied

• Finally using minimum energy as constraints, optimal topology boundaries

are determined
 The diagonal members are assumed to be pin-ended, and therefore resist
B. Stiffness the transverse shear and moment through axial action only – idealization

Based For tall buildings with a large height-to-width aspect ratio, the stiffness
constraint generally governs the design

Methodology • Important stiffness design parameters to consider in any tall building design
is its maximum deflection which is usually five hundredth of the building
height

• Based on these studies, the following empirical relationship between the

optimal s value and the aspect ratio is proposed for diagrid structures
greater than 40 stories with an aspect ratio greater than about 5 and a
diagrid angle between 60° and 70°. s = (H/B − 3)

• Relationship between Aspect ratios to that of s and f

CASE STUDY 1

CCTV Headquarters Location: Beijing, China

Architect: Rem Koolhaas Engineer：Arup
Completion date: May 16, 2012 Floor Count: 51
Floor Area: 389079 m2 Height: 234m (768 ft)
INTRODUCTION
External Structure System Diagrid
Frame System (Continuous tube
system)
A. Edge structure
B. 12m*12m diagrid structure
C. Stress distribution structure
D. Combined structure
STRUCTURE
APPLICATION
A B C D
Diagrid Frame System
• Triangulate structure with diagonal support beams
• Triangles connected at Nodes and Rings intersect the nodes
• Combines a hollow tube with a truss
• Loads follow diagonals, gravity and lateral loads can be transferred by
the system to the ground
• Steel is typical because of high tensile and compressive strengths
• Essentially marrying columns, diagonals and bracings into one system
STRUCTURE,
PLAN,
SECTION
SECTIONS
Transfer Trusses

•Transfer Trusses are used for the large open space such as studios and facilities •Connecting columns Vertically

•Connecting internal core and exterior tube structure horizontally

 15M
51.5M

15M

45M
TRANSFER OF LOADS
• Load transfer happens primarily through diagrid a)
Internal Cores will transfer minimal amounts of
gravity loads
• Continuous and Uninterrupted Load Transfer
b) Floor Slabs do not have to transfer lateral loads
c) Less internal columns required = more space
• Rings help to resist Buckling Loads transforming
d) Floor plates do not have to be of the same
whole system into one big tube
shape on each floor.
Beijing max wind speed: 11 m/s

• Add wind load every 20m

CONSTRUCTION
TECHNIQUE
Construction Sequencing Source:

1. Building foundation Raft

2. Setting Up the Column

3. Using Craning to build up

structure

4. Connecting Overhang

5. completed overhang structure

6. Installing the exterior glass

 • In addition to regular gravity and lateral forces acting on
Construction the structure, there are significant additional construction
Sequencing stage forces due to the fact that the building comprises two
separate leaning Towers with cantilever up until the point at
which they are joined to become one structure.

• First method is to construct a temporary tower the full

162m height to the underside of the Overhang, providing a
working platform to build the Overhang connection

• Second method is to construct the lower part of the

Overhang at ground level and strand jack the assembly into
position
Method1 Method2 Method3
• Third method is to construct incremental cantilevers from
each Tower until the two met and connected at the center of
the Overhang
 Diagrids, as they gain popularity and construction
frequency are beginning to more clearly display a
language of detailing and design that corresponds to
choices in the size of the base module, building type
and three-dimensional geometry of the project. They
are demonstrating a dynamic and adaptable structural
system that is more adapt at structuring contemporary
architectural aspirations.

• Diagrid Structures even due to their advantages and

CONCLUSIONS economy are handful in India due to demanding skill

set of workers. The node connector can be fabricated
in factories by training the workers and engineers the
required knowledge and skills.

• The Diagrid Structures are to be compared with the

available structural systems such as hexagrid and
pentagrid

• Research in the analysis of Diagrid structure with

core eccentricity is expected for practical applications
of this structure.
INFERENCES
http://farq.edu.uy/tallerdanza/carp-2015/files/2015/08/CCTV-arup-journal.pdf

• https://prezi.com/anmn7ckwvjtj/cctv-structural-analysis/

• CTBUH Journal | 2008 Issue III Case Study: CCTV Building - Headquarters & Cultural Center

• The Arup Journal 2/2005 • Time lapse images courtesy of OMA

• http://www.abeno.project-takenaka.com/abeno_e/saigai/sai-01.php

• The CCTV foundation system. http://www.360doc.com/content/10/1210/02/16546_76642178.shtml

• CCTV Building, A Structural Design Overview http://www.slideshare.net/peterbach/cctv-building-a-structural-designoverview

• CCTV Structural Analysis https://prezi.com/anmn7ckwvjtj/cctv-structuralanalysis/

• https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/diagrid_structure

• http://www.oasys-software.com/blog/2012/03/diagrid-structures-in-gsa/

• https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/2064565969-Khushbu-D-Jani
Research Papers

Analysis and Design of Diagrid Structural System for High Rise Steel Buildings
December 2013

Procedia Engineering 51:92–100

DOI: 10.1016/j.proeng.2013.01.015
1. Summarization of research on the structural design of a super high-rise building in Qatar

2. Analysis and design of diagrid structural system for high rise steel buildings

,
Authors:Khushbu Jani Paresh V. Patel