CHAPTER (1)

INTRODUCTION
1.1. General
A structure is an arrangement and organization of elements or components
which are connected in such a way that it can withstand the action of loads that are
applied to it. These loads may be due to gravity, wind, ground shaking, impact,
temperature or other environmental sources. Examples of structural types are buildings,
bridges, tunnels, towers, retaining walls, platforms, etc. Since the population of our
country has been enormously increasing in both urban and rural areas, the modern
buildings need to be designed for high-rise buildings in order to cope with the problem of
huge population.
In general, for the design of a tall or slender building, both wind as well as
seismic loads needs to be considered. In this study, seismic load effects are not
considered because seismic design is common among Structural Engineers and it is
proposed to investigate the specific analysis and design for high wind speed that effect on
a 12-storey RCC building. In structural design, the wind is physically represented by a
speed profile reaching a building. Its characteristics and the effects it generates depend on
the velocity of the wind, the geometry of the wind and the protection caused by the
terrain and surrounding obstacles. The contribution of the higher mood effects are
included in arriving at the distribution of lateral forces along the height of the building.
Load exerted on the building envelope are transferred to the structural system and they in
turn must be transferred through the foundation into the ground, the magnitude of the
wind pressure is a function of exposed basic wind speed, topography, building height,
internal pressure and building shape.
The main objective of this study is to carry out the investigation of high wind
speed effect on a 12-storey RCC building according to Uniform Building Code (UBC) by
using ETABS software.

1.2. Objectives of the study

The objectives of the study are;
1. To acquire the design of Reinforced Concrete Building in Zone 2A.
2. To achieve better understanding on the investigation of high wind speed effects
on a high-rise building provided by UBC-97 and structural elements according to
ACI 318-99.
3. To revise structural knowledge studied from 1st year to 5th year.
4. To realize and memorize the application of ETABS software studied in the first
semester of final year.
5. To achieve better performance of team work.

1.3. Scopes of the study

The scopes of the study are described as follows;
 1. The proposed study is to investigate the high wind speed effects on a high-rise
building.
2. Seismic loads are negligible.
3. Wind loads are considered according to UBC-97.
4. Standard high wind speed of 80 mph is considered prior to the Nargis wind speed
of 120 mph.
5. Structural design specifications are in accordance with ACI 318-99.
6. Structural analysis and design are to be applied by ETABS software.

1.4. Overview of the thesis

This study comprises of five chapters. Chapter 1 includes the introduction and
objectives of the thesis about the investigation of high wind speed effects on a 12-storey
RCC building and the literature review on the design of structure, structural knowledge
and theories as well as building codes are presented in Chapter 2.