your overall strategy and the features of the structural system
My thought process was to try and incorporate as many structural walls as possible to reduce the number of columns required. With my placement of many windows for natural sunlight, more columns were needed for those walls than originally thought. However, additional areas were created to incorporate structural interior walls and reduce the number of columns in open areas.
the material and framing system selected
My thought process was due to the location and the client’s need for a quick structural erection, I decided to construct with steel material members. Seconday beam systems were utilized to ensure heavy loads from the floors above could be accommodated. Various trusses were also incorporated to further beam spanning in specific locations. Structural exterior, interior, and curtain walls were used in place of columns in certain locations.
the locations of structural columns and major framing elements
My thought process was to try and ensure beams didn’t span more than 30 feet at a time. Structural columns were placed at intervals to maintain this requirement as well as provide support to exterior walls that were not structural. Areas below that appear to not have elements enclosing them, are structural curtain walls that don’t show up. Structural columns appear with isolated footings. Structural walls appear with strip footings.
any special structural challenges
The only challenges were using the various views to model the structural system while looking through elements of the other floors.
