U.S. patent application number 12/568614 was filed with the patent office on 2010-05-06 for structural shearwall.
Invention is credited to Bo J. Lundmark, Hardip S. Pannu, Don R. Peoples, Clifford B. Swenson.
Application Number | 20100107520 12/568614 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42129741 |
Filed Date | 2010-05-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100107520 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lundmark; Bo J. ; et
al. |
May 6, 2010 |
STRUCTURAL SHEARWALL
Abstract
A shearwall adapted for use in a building or other structure
includes a main concrete portion and structural reinforcement
positioned within the main concrete portion. The shearwall is
configured to resist lateral forces to which the building or other
structure may be subjected. Further, the shearwall is configured to
accommodate a vertical load such that the need for at least one
separate structural column is eliminated.
Inventors: |
Lundmark; Bo J.; (Long
Beach, CA) ; Swenson; Clifford B.; (San Jose, CA)
; Peoples; Don R.; (Milpitas, CA) ; Pannu; Hardip
S.; (Moraga, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
2040 MAIN STREET, FOURTEENTH FLOOR
IRVINE
CA
92614
US
|
Family ID: |
42129741 |
Appl. No.: |
12/568614 |
Filed: |
September 28, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61100600 |
Sep 26, 2008 |
|
|
|
61151126 |
Feb 9, 2009 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/167.7 ;
52/573.1; 52/741.3; 52/745.05 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 9/02 20130101; E04B
2001/2496 20130101; E04B 1/20 20130101; E04H 1/04 20130101; E04B
2001/2696 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/167.7 ;
52/573.1; 52/741.3; 52/745.05 |
International
Class: |
E04H 9/00 20060101
E04H009/00; E04B 1/343 20060101 E04B001/343; E04B 1/98 20060101
E04B001/98; E04B 1/00 20060101 E04B001/00 |
Claims
1. A shearwall adapted for use in a multi-story building or other
structure, comprising: a main concrete portion; and structural
reinforcement positioned within the main concrete portion; wherein
the shearwall is configured to resist lateral forces to which the
building or other structure may be subjected; wherein the shearwall
is configured to accommodate a vertical load such that the need for
at least one separate structural column is eliminated, wherein the
main concrete portion includes ends, the shearwall being configured
to accommodate the vertical load primarily at said ends.
2. The shearwall of claim 1, wherein the shearwall is configured to
be generally aligned with at least one vertically-adjacent
shearwall positioned above or below the shearwall.
3. The shearwall of claim 2, wherein the shearwall and the at least
one vertically-adjacent shearwall are structurally connected using
at least one reinforcement member.
4. The shearwall of claim 1, wherein the shearwall comprises at
least one reinforcement cage, said reinforcement cage configured to
accommodate vertical load.
5. The shearwall of claim 1, wherein said shearwall is configured
to be included in a building having between 3 and 24 stories.
6. The shearwall of claim 1, wherein said shearwall is configured
to be included in a building having over 24 stories.
7. The shearwall of claim 1, wherein a floor-to-floor of said
shearwall is approximately 10 feet.
8. The shearwall of claim 1, wherein a floor-to-floor of said
shearwall is greater than or less than approximately 10 feet.
9. The shearwall of claim 1, wherein a total floor area of each
floor of said building is approximately 30,000 square feet.
10. A method of reducing the construction cost of a multi-story
building, comprising: providing a plurality of steel-reinforced
concrete shearwalls configured to accommodate both lateral and
vertical loads; providing a plurality of steel-reinforced concrete
columns configured to generally accommodate only vertical loads;
and providing an upper floor slab above the shearwalls and columns,
and a lower floor slab below the shearwalls and columns; wherein
the shearwalls are configured to accommodate substantially all of
the shear load and at least a portion of the vertical load
subjected on said building; and wherein the building comprises at
least 3 stories.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the shearwalls and columns are
setback from an edge of building's floor plan.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein the building comprises between
3 and 24 stories.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein a total floor area of each
floor of said building is approximately 30,000 square feet.
14. The method of claim 10, wherein the upper and lower floor slabs
comprise a tension tendon.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the tension tendon is a
pre-tensioning or post-tensioning tendon.
16. A method of constructing a multi-story building, comprising:
providing a plurality of reinforced concrete shearwalls configured
to accommodate both lateral and vertical loads; and providing a
plurality of steel-reinforced concrete columns configured to
generally accommodate only vertical loads; wherein each story of
said building comprises a floor plan defined by outer periphery;
wherein the shearwalls are configured to accommodate substantially
all of the shear load and at least a portion of the vertical load
subjected on said building; and wherein the building comprises at
least 3 stories; and wherein the shearwalls and columns are located
away from the outer periphery of each story's floor plan by a
minimum setback so as to permit the building to receive at least
one design along its exterior without interfering with the
shearwalls or columns.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one design
comprises an exterior skin, a cutback, a deck or another
architectural element.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the building comprises between
3 and 24 stories.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein a total floor area of each
floor of said building is approximately 30,000 square feet.
20. The method of claim 16, wherein each of the shearwalls is
positioned generally perpendicularly relative to a portion of the
outer periphery to which each of said shearwalls is closest.
21. The method of claim 16, wherein the minimum setback is
approximately 7 feet.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the priority benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/100,600, filed
Sep. 26, 2008 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/151,126,
filed Feb. 9, 2009, the entireties of which are hereby incorporated
by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Inventions
[0003] The present inventions relate to structural members for
buildings and, more particularly, to shearwalls and column members
for multi-story residential or commercial buildings.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] The use of shearwalls to resist lateral loads (e.g., seismic
loads, wind loads, etc.) that may be imparted on a building or
other structure are well known. In addition, the use of structural
columns or similar members to accommodate vertical loads and
stresses are also well known. In order to simplify the design and
construction of structures (e.g., multi-story residential or
commercial buildings) and to reduce costs, it is desirable to
provide a shearwall that is configured to adequately resist both
vertical and lateral loads. As a result, the quantity of
stand-alone vertical columns can be advantageously reduced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONS
[0006] According to some embodiments of the present inventions, a
shearwall adapted for use in a building or other structure includes
a main concrete portion and structural reinforcement members (e.g.,
rebar) positioned within the main concrete portion. The shearwall
is configured to resist lateral forces to which the building or
other structure may be subjected. Further, the shearwall is
configured to accommodate vertical load such that the need for at
least one separate structural column is eliminated.
[0007] In some embodiments, a multi-story building or other
structure can be constructed using reinforced concrete shearwalls
and columns. In one embodiment, such a building or other structure
includes between 3 and 24 stories. However, in other arrangements,
the building has fewer than 3 stories or more than 24 stories. In
some embodiments, the shearwalls are generally rectangular and
shape. In other embodiments, the shearwalls and columns are
positioned away from the periphery of a floor by a minimum setback
(e.g., 7 feet, more than 7 feet, less than 7 feet, etc.). In other
arrangements, the shearwalls are located generally perpendicular to
the closest exterior wall or edge. In other embodiments, the
shearwalls are configured to accommodate at least some of the
vertical loading imparted on the building.
[0008] According to certain embodiments, a shearwall adapted for
use in a multi-story building or other structure comprises a main
concrete portion and structural reinforcement (e.g., rebar, other
steel or metal members, etc.) positioned within the main concrete
portion, without the use of a steel frame. In one arrangement, the
shearwall is configured to resist the lateral forces to which the
building or other structure may be subjected. In other embodiments,
the shearwall is configured to accommodate a vertical load such
that the need for at least one separate structural column is
eliminated. In another arrangement, the main concrete portion
includes ends, such that the shearwall is configured to accommodate
the vertical load primarily at such ends. In certain embodiments,
the shearwall is configured to be generally aligned with at least
one vertically-adjacent shearwall positioned above or below the
shearwall. In some configurations, the shearwall and at least one
vertically-adjacent shearwall are structurally connected using at
least one reinforcement member. In another embodiment, the
shearwall comprises at least one reinforcement cage adapted to
accommodate vertical load.
[0009] According to other arrangements, the shearwall is configured
to be included in a building having between 3 and 24 stories. In
other embodiments, however, the shearwall can be incorporated in
buildings or other structures having more than 24 stories or fewer
than 3 stories. In some embodiments, a floor-to-floor of the
shearwall is approximately 10 feet. In other configurations, the
floor-to-floor of the shearwall is greater than or less than
approximately 10 feet. In some arrangements, a total floor area of
each floor of the building or other structure utilizing the
shearwall is approximately 30,000 square feet. However, in certain
embodiments, the total floor area of such a building or other
structure is greater than or less than approximately 30,000 square
feet.
[0010] In accordance with certain arrangements, a method of
reducing the construction cost of a multi-story building or other
structure includes providing a plurality of steel-reinforced
concrete shearwalls configured to accommodate both lateral and
vertical loads and providing a plurality of steel-reinforced
concrete columns configured to generally accommodate only vertical
loads. The method further includes providing an upper floor slab
above the shearwalls and columns, and a lower floor slab below the
shearwalls and columns. In certain arrangements, the shearwalls are
configured to accommodate substantially all of the shear load and
at least a portion of the vertical load subjected on said building.
In one embodiment, the building comprises at least 3 stories.
[0011] In certain arrangements, the shearwalls and columns are
setback from an edge of building's floor plan (e.g., setback from
the closest exterior wall). In other embodiments, the building
comprises between 3 and 24 stories. However, in alternative
embodiments, the building or other structure include more than 24
stories. In other embodiments, a total floor area of each floor of
the building is approximately 30,000 square feet. However, in one
configuration, the total floor area of each floor of the building
is less than or greater than 30,000 square feet. In one embodiment,
the upper and lower floor slabs comprise a tension tendon (e.g., a
pre-tensioning, a post-tensioning tendon, etc.).
[0012] According to certain arrangements, a method of constructing
a multi-story building or structure includes providing a plurality
of reinforced concrete shearwalls configured to accommodate both
lateral and vertical loads and providing a plurality of
steel-reinforced concrete columns configured to generally
accommodate only vertical loads. In some embodiments, each story of
the building or other structure comprises a floor plan defined by
outer periphery. In one embodiment, the shearwalls are configured
to accommodate substantially all of the shear load and at least a
portion of the vertical load subjected on said building. In other
embodiments, the building comprises 3 or more stories. According to
certain configurations, the shearwalls and columns are located away
from the outer periphery of each story's floor plan by a minimum
setback so as to permit the building to receive at least one design
along its exterior without interfering with the shearwalls or
columns. In one embodiment, the one design configured for placement
along an exterior of the building includes an exterior skin, a
cutback, a deck, another architectural element and/or the like. In
certain arrangements, the building comprises between 3 and 24
stories. However, in other embodiments, the building includes more
than 24 stories. In some embodiments, a total floor area of each
floor of the building is approximately 30,000 square feet. However,
in other embodiments, the total floor area of each floor of the
building is more or less than 30,000 square feet. In some
arrangements, each of the shearwalls is positioned generally
perpendicularly relative to a portion of the outer periphery to
which each of said shearwalls is closest. In certain embodiments,
the minimum setback for the shearwalls and/or the columns is
approximately 7 feet. However, in other configurations, the minimum
setback is greater or less than 7 feet.
[0013] In some embodiments, the main concrete portion includes ends
such that the shearwall is adapted to accommodate the vertical load
primarily at said ends. In some arrangements, the shearwall is
configured to be generally aligned with at least one
vertically-adjacent shearwall positioned above and/or below the
shearwall. In other embodiments, the shearwall and one or more
vertically-adjacent shearwalls are structurally connected to each
other using rebar and/or some other reinforcement member. In some
embodiments, the main concrete portion comprises a generally
rectangular shape. In some arrangements, the shearwall comprises at
least one reinforcement cage configured to accommodate the vertical
load.
[0014] According to some embodiments, a method of reducing the
construction cost of a structure includes providing at least one
shearwall configured to accommodate both lateral and vertical loads
and providing at least one column configured to generally
accommodate only vertical loads. The method additionally includes
providing an upper floor slab above the shearwall and column and a
lower floor slab below the shearwall and column. In some
arrangements, the shearwall is configured to eliminate the need for
one or more additional columns. In some embodiments, the upper and
lower floor slabs comprise a pre-tensioning or post-tensioning
tendon. In some embodiments, the structure comprises a multi-story
residential or commercial building or the like.
[0015] According to some embodiments, the shearwalls and/or columns
disclosed herein are configured to not exceed a total
floor-to-floor height of 10 feet. In other arrangements, the
shearwalls and/or columns disclosed herein comprise a
floor-to-floor height that is greater than 10 feet. In one
embodiment, a building or other structure comprising such
shearwalls includes between 3 and 24 stories. However, in
alternative arrangements, such buildings or structures include more
than 24 stories. In certain embodiments, the total area of each
floor of a building or other structure comprising such shearwalls
is approximately 30,000 square feet. According to certain
configurations, the total area of the floors of such buildings or
other structures is approximately 20,000 to 40,000 square feet. In
other configurations, the total area of the floors of such
buildings or other structures is less or greater than 30,000 square
feet, as desired or required. For instance, in one embodiment, the
total area of the floors of such buildings or other structures is
approximately, 5,000, 10,000, 15,000, 20,000, 25,000, 35,000,
40,000, 45,000, 50,000, 60,000, 70,000, 80,000, 90,000, 100,000
square feet, more than 100,000 square feet, etc.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
inventions disclosed herein are described below with reference to
the drawings of certain preferred embodiments, which are intended
to illustrate and not to limit the inventions. The drawings
comprise the following figures:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic and partial perspective view of a
portion of a multi-story building having a plurality of structural
columns and a shearwall according to an embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of a building's floor plan
having a plurality of column members, shearwalls and other features
according to another embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a shearwall shown in FIG.
2 extending through a concrete slab separating two floors of the
building according to one embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross sectional view through the
concrete slab, identified by the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a schematic top plan and sectional view of one
embodiment of a column included in the floor plan of FIG. 2.
[0022] FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of one embodiment of a portion
the building floor plan of FIG. 2 where a tensioning tendon or
other structural member positioned within the slab can be
secured.
[0023] FIGS. 7-12 illustrate top views of various non-limiting
embodiments of building floor plans having a plurality of column
members, shearwalls and other features.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] The shearwalls, the columns, the structural layouts with
which the shearwalls and columns are used, as well as the various
systems and features associated with them, are described in the
context of a concrete multi-story building because they have
particular utility in this context. However, the shearwalls,
columns, related structural layouts and methods described herein,
as well as their various systems and features, can be used in other
contexts as well, such as, for example, but without limitation,
other types of structures that are required to resist both vertical
and lateral forces.
[0025] With reference to FIG. 1, each floor 10 of a multi-story
building can comprise one or more columns 40 and/or shearwalls 20
in order to adequately resist the forces (e.g., vertical and
lateral), moments and other stresses to which the building may be
exposed. In the illustrated arrangement, the shearwalls 20 include
a reinforced steel cage 30 along each end. In some embodiments,
some or most of the vertical loads imparted on the shearwall 20 are
transferred at or near such steel cages 30 and/or other structural
reinforcement members. However, in other embodiments, the
shearwalls are generally uniform and do not include any cages or
other reinforcing members at all. As discussed in greater detail
herein, regardless of their exact configuration, such shearwalls
can advantageously accommodate both vertical and lateral forces and
stresses.
[0026] In some embodiments, the use of such combination
shearwall/column members, together with stand-alone vertical
columns, can help reduce construction costs, simplify the design of
the structure, facilitate in the construction of the structure,
reduce construction time and/or offer one or more other advantages.
For example, the shearwalls can eliminate the need for one or more
separate structural columns that would otherwise be required near
the shearwall to accommodate vertical loads. For example, the use
of such combination shearwall/column members in a multi-story
building or other structure can lead to significant construction
and/or design cost savings over conventional concrete and steel
designs.
[0027] The shearwall members 20 can be positioned between one or
more rows of separate or "independent" vertical columns 40, as
desired or required by a particular design. For example, in the
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the edge of each floor includes
columns 40 that are configured to generally accommodate only
vertical loads and stresses. As shown, such columns 40 can be
positioned at a particular distance A from the edge of the floor
slab 10. One or more other columns 40 can also be positioned
between the shearwalls 20 and the edge of the floor slab 10. Such
additional columns 40 can be in-line with or offset from each
other, as desired or required by a particular design.
[0028] With continued reference to FIG. 1, one or more combination
shearwall/column members 20 can be positioned on each floor of the
building or other structure at a particular offset distance B from
the end columns 40. As discussed and illustrated in greater detail
herein, such shearwalls 20 can be oriented so that their longer
dimension generally parallels one of the two edges of the floor
slab 10. However, in other embodiments, the shearwalls 20 are
placed so that they are not parallel with either edge of a floor
slab 10.
[0029] In FIG. 1, an additional row of structural columns 40 can be
positioned on each floor at a distance C away from the shearwall
20. As discussed herein, such columns 40 can be parallel to each
other, to the shearwall 20 and/or any other component, feature or
portion of the structure. As illustrated herein with reference to
FIG. 2, a particular floor of a building or other structure can
include shearwall members 20 that are oriented along two or more
different directions (e.g., skewed at a 90-degree angle from each
other, skewed at some other angle, etc.).
[0030] With continued reference to FIG. 1, according to some
embodiments, the distances A, B and C, denoting the spacing between
adjacent columns and/or shearwalls, are approximately 7 feet (ft),
21 ft and 28 ft, respectively. However, in other arrangements, one
or more of such offset distances may be greater or less than
disclosed above, as desired or required by particular design or
application.
[0031] In some embodiments, the foundation 6 and/or one or more
floor slabs 10 of the building or other structure comprise
steel-reinforced concrete. Depending on the size of the foundation
or slabs, the magnitude of forces, moments and other stresses to
which the structure may be subjected and/or one or more other
considerations, the foundation 6 and/or the floor slabs 10 can be
pre-stressed, post-stressed and/or otherwise configured to have
improved structural characteristics.
[0032] Another embodiment of an engineering plan showing the
general layout of the various structural and non-structural
components of a building is illustrated in FIG. 2. The depicted
floor, which has an area of approximately 28,116 square feet (198
ft by 142 ft), includes a total of eight shearwalls 120 and
thirty-two structural columns 140. As discussed with reference to
the embodiment of FIG. 1, the shearwalls 120 can be advantageously
configured to accommodate both vertical and lateral loads, moments
and stresses, while the columns 140 can be configured to generally
accommodate only vertical forces. The structural layout illustrated
in FIG. 2 can be for one or more floors of a multi-story building
(e.g., residential, commercial, industrial, etc.) or other
structure. Each floor of such a building or other structure can
include a similar or a different layout of columns 140 and/or
shearwalls 120, as well as other structural or non-structural
components or features (e.g., openings, non-structural members,
etc.), as desired or required by a particular design.
[0033] According to certain embodiments, the shearwalls, columns
and/or other structural components disclosed herein, or variations
thereof, can be used in buildings or other structures having a
floor plan size of approximately 30,000 square feet (sq ft) or more
per floor. For example, floors of this size can be configured to
advantageously accommodate all employees of a company (or one or
more of its departments or divisions, or portions thereof). In
other arrangements, the floor plan size of a building or other
structure comprising the structural components described herein can
be smaller or larger than 30,000 sq ft (e.g., less than 5,000 sq
ft, 5,000 sq ft, 10,000 sq ft, 15,000, sq ft, 20,000 sq ft, 25,000
sq ft, 35,000 sq ft, 40,000 sq ft, 45,000 sq ft, 50,000 sq ft,
60,000 sq ft, 70,000 sq ft, 80,000 sq ft, 90,000 sq ft, 100,000 sq
ft, more than 100,000 sq ft, areas between such ranges, etc.).
According to certain configurations, the total area of the floors
of such buildings or other structures is approximately 20,000 to
40,000 square feet.
[0034] In some arrangements, the size, shape, structural
characteristics and/or other properties of the shearwalls and/or
columns disclosed herein generally remain the same from one design
to the next, regardless of the shape, size, general layout and
orientation and other design details of the floors into which such
shearwalls and/or columns are installed. Thus, only the quantity,
spacing (e.g., relative to each other, the edge of the floor,
elevator or stairwell shaft and/or other reference point, etc.),
orientation and other layout details of the shearwalls and/or
columns may need to be altered based on the specifications of a
particular building or other structure. Such a modular approach can
help simplify the structural design of a building or other
structure, decrease design and construction costs, reduce time of
construction and/or provide one or more additional benefits.
However, in other embodiments, the shearwalls and/or columns are
customized for the particular building or other structure into
which they will be installed.
[0035] With continued reference to FIG. 2, the columns 140 can be
oriented along a regular grid pattern. For example, in the
illustrated layout, the columns 140 are spaced either 22 ft or 28
ft from each other. In addition, the depicted columns 140 are
approximately 7 ft from the respective edge of the floor slab 110.
In FIG. 2, the layout of the columns 140 and shearwalls 120 is
generally symmetrical in both horizontal dimensions. However, the
spacing between adjacent columns 140 and/or between columns 140 and
the edge of the floor slab 110 can vary based on the specific
design considerations or inputs and other characteristics (e.g.,
size, construction materials, loads, moments and stresses to which
the building will be subjected, etc.). Further, the size, shape and
other structural properties of the columns 140 and/or the
shearwalls 120 can vary according to certain target design
parameters.
[0036] By way of example, in certain arrangements, the size (e.g.,
length, thickness, other dimensions, etc.) of the shearwalls
depends on the site location, the soil type on which the structure
will be constructed, the size of the structure (e.g., number of
stories, overall height, etc.), the location of the shear walls,
the location of the columns, the size (e.g., area) of the floor
plate and/or one or more other factors or considerations. Likewise,
the size and location of the columns can depend on one or more
factors, such as, for example, the size (e.g., dimensions) of the
floor plan, the size of the structure (e.g., number of stories,
overall height, etc.), the location of the shear walls, the
location of the columns, the architectural layout of the floor and
overall structure and/or the like. The specific shearwall and
column characteristics generally vary from project to project
according to the specific design parameters involved.
[0037] In FIG. 2, each shearwall 120 is shaped, sized and otherwise
configured to generally replace two of the stand-alone vertical
columns 140. However, in other arrangements, a shearwall designed
in accordance with the present application may be configured to
replace fewer (e.g., one) or more (e.g., 3 or more) vertical
columns 140. For example, in the depicted embodiment, each
shearwall 120 is approximately 22 ft long, which generally matches
the distance between some of the adjacent columns 140. Further, as
shown, some of the shearwalls 120 can be rotated (e.g., 90 degrees)
relative to each other. This can help ensure that lateral forces,
such as those generated by wind, seismic events or the like, can be
adequately accommodated by the building or other structure,
regardless of their direction. The shearwalls 120 can be positioned
at or near the outer edges or portions of a particular floor.
Alternatively, the shearwalls 120 can be positioned closer to the
center of the floor (e.g., away from the edges), as desired or
required.
[0038] According to certain embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 2
(as well as in at least some of the arrangements illustrated in
FIGS. 7-12), the shearwalls and the columns are generally
positioned away (or setback) from all or some of the edges,
periphery or perimeter of the floor. Therefore, in some
embodiments, a building's floor plan does not include shearwalls
and/or columns at or near one or more of the floor plan's edges or
outer periphery. For example, in FIG. 2, the shearwalls 120 and
columns 140 are positioned at least 7 feet away from all edges of
the floor plan. In other embodiments, however, the setback can be
smaller or greater than 7 feet, as desired or required by a
particular design. In addition, the shearwalls and columns can be
setback from the respective edge of the floor on fewer than all
sides of the building or other structure.
[0039] Providing such a setback for the shearwalls and/or columns
can provide certain benefits. For instance, the setback can
advantageously permit the building or other structure to receive a
wide variety of exterior skins, designs, architectural elements,
decks (e.g., penthouse decks), cutbacks in the buildings, other
features and/or the like. Accordingly, such configurations provide
greater flexibility to customize a building or other structure,
particularly when compared to designs that have shearwalls, columns
or other structural members along the edge of a floor.
[0040] As discussed herein, in some embodiments, the shearwalls 120
are configured to accommodate vertical loads imparted upon them.
Thus, the shearwalls 120 can be substituted for one or more
stand-alone vertical columns 140. For example, in the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 2, each shearwall 120 can effectively eliminate
the need for two vertical columns 140 that would otherwise be
positioned in that location. Accordingly, in some arrangements,
each shearwall 120 illustrated in FIG. 2 can accommodate the
vertical load of two stand-alone columns 140. The shearwall 120 can
be configured to spread such vertical loads along its entire length
or only at certain selected points (e.g., at or near the edges of
the shearwall 120).
[0041] According to certain embodiments, the maximum floor-to-floor
height of the shearwalls disclosed herein is 10 feet or
approximately 10 feet. However, the wall-to-wall vertical height of
a shearwall can be greater or less than 10 feet, as desired or
permitted. Such dimensional and other types of restrictions may be
required by state, local or other building codes or other building
regulations or guidelines. Further, in some arrangements, due to
building codes or other design limitations, a building or other
structure comprising such shearwalls may not be permitted to exceed
a total height (e.g., 240 feet). Thus, if the total height of a
building is limited to 240 feet and if the shearwalls are
configured to extend 10 feet between adjacent floor slabs, the
building or other structure comprising such shearwalls may not be
permitted to exceed 24 stories. Consequently, in some embodiments,
the various embodiments of the shearwalls discussed herein can be
used in the design of buildings or other structures that comprise
up to 24 stories. In one embodiment, the shearwalls can be utilized
in building or other structures comprising 3-24 stories. However,
in other configurations, based on applicable building codes, other
restrictions and/or other design considerations, such shearwalls
can be included in buildings or other structures that are taller
than 240 feet (e.g., 250 feet, 300 feet, 400 feet, 500 feet, more
than 500 feet, heights between these values, etc.) and/or comprise
more than 24 stories (e.g., 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100,
more than 100 stories, quantities between these values, etc.), as
desired or required.
[0042] As discussed herein, the floor plan size of a building or
other structure comprising the shearwalls and columns disclosed
herein such can be approximately 30,000 sq ft. Alternatively, the
size of the floor plan of such buildings or structures can be
smaller or larger than 30,000 sq ft (e.g., less than 5,000 sq ft,
5,000 sq ft, 10,000 sq ft, 20,000 sq ft, 40,000 sq ft, 50,000 sq
ft, more than 50,000 sq ft, areas between such ranges, etc.), as
desired or required.
[0043] Further advantages can be achieved by arranging shearwalls
such that they extend, in their longitudinal direction, inwardly,
for example, generally perpendicularly, from the closest edge of
the floor on which they are arranged. For example, as shown in FIG.
2, all of the shearwalls 120 extend inwardly toward the interior of
the building and generally perpendicular to the closest edge of the
floor on which they are disposed. In some embodiments, the
shearwall arrangement forms an annular pattern of generally
radially oriented shearwalls, surrounding centrally-located
elevator shafts of a building. This can provide an advantage in
terms of increasing the space available for windows for the
building. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, such an arrangement of
shearwalls can eliminate the need for shearwalls encasing the
elevator shafts which is common in prior art buildings.
[0044] According to certain embodiments, as illustrated in the
floor plans of FIGS. 2 and 7-12, the shearwalls are arranged in a
manner that may reduce the likelihood of interference with one or
more wireless signals. For example, in some prior art designs,
shearwalls are located along and parallel to the building's
exterior walls. Thus, by orienting the shearwalls perpendicularly
to the closest exterior wall, as depicted in the arrangements of
FIGS. 2 and 7-12, interference to cell phone, Wi-Fi (e.g., IEEE
802.11) and/or other analog or digital signals can be
advantageously reduced. In other prior art designs, shearwalls are
located at or near the core (e.g., center) of a building (e.g.,
adjacent an elevator shaft). Thus, the various shearwall layouts
disclosed herein, or equivalents thereof, can help reduce the
interference of wireless signals attempting to pass through the
building's core or other interior region where shearwalls may
otherwise be concentrated.
[0045] For example, in some known prior art shearwall arrangements,
the shearwalls are arranged parallel to and generally along the
closest edge of the floor on which they are disposed. Such
facade-parallel shearwalls typically reduce the total amount of
outer wall available for windows and/or other architectural or
structural features (e.g., exterior skins or other designs, decks,
cutbacks, etc.
[0046] The various embodiments of reinforced shearwalls and columns
disclosed herein can help simplify the design and construction of
various buildings and other structures. In some arrangements, the
buildings and other structures that incorporate the shearwalls,
columns and general design elements discussed herein can replace
more intricate and more expensive steel-based designs. Relatedly,
the overall time of construction can be advantageously reduced,
while still meeting and exceeding any applicable building codes and
regulations.
[0047] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 7-11, the general
configurations of the shearwalls and columns disclosed herein can
be incorporated into buildings having generally rectangular floor
plans. In certain embodiments, such rectangular designs can further
decrease the overall cost (e.g., design, construction, etc.) of a
building or other structure. In addition, such designs can provide
more enhanced seismic and/or other structural stability. However,
in other arrangements, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the shearwall and
column designs disclosed herein can be incorporated into floor
plans that are not rectangular (e.g., circular, oval, trapezoidal,
other polygonal, random, etc.). For example, additional shearwalls
and columns can be strategically positioned in floor plans that
include extended areas beyond the limits of a typical rectangular
plan, in order to safely accommodate the expected forces (e.g.,
vertical, shear, etc.) and moments to which the building may be
exposed.
[0048] According to some embodiments, the layout of columns 140
and/or the shearwall members 120 of two or more floors of a
building or other structure can be generally horizontally aligned
with one another. For example, the columns 140 and/or shearwalls
120 can be situated exactly or nearly exactly above and below each
other throughout the entire building or structure. Alternatively,
the position of such structural members can vary from floor to
floor so that at least some of the columns 140 and/or the
shearwalls 120 of different floors are not horizontally or
laterally aligned.
[0049] FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a shearwall 120 that
generally extends across at least two adjacent floors of a building
or other structure. In addition, vertically-adjacent shearwalls 120
can be structurally attached to each other by extending the
reinforcement members (e.g., rebar) through the intermediate floor
slab 110. In the depicted arrangement, the slab 110 separating the
adjacent floors is pre-stressed with a plurality of tendons 114,
other tensioning members and/or the like. As discussed herein, such
pre-stressing can help enhance the structural characteristics of
the floor slab 110. For example, larger floor slab sections can be
provided if pre-stressing, post-stressing or some other structural
improvement treatment or method is utilized. In other embodiments,
the floor slabs 110 and/or other concrete portions of the building
or structure are not pre-stressed, post-stressed or otherwise
configured to structurally enhance them.
[0050] With continued reference to the elevation illustrated in
FIG. 3, the floor slab 110 can further include upper and lower
reinforcement members 116, 118 (e.g., rebar, mesh, etc.) to provide
the desired or required structural characteristics to the
structure. In addition, the combination shearwall/column members
120 can include their own structural reinforcement 122 (e.g.,
rebar, mesh, etc.), as desired or required. Rebar or other
reinforcement members within the shearwall 120 and/or other
reinforced components of a structure can be lapped to create
generally continuous reinforcement, both within a single shearwall
member and in two or more separate shearwalls (e.g., across a floor
slab). Such overlapping 126 of adjacent rebar or other reinforcing
members can be accomplished using mechanical splicing, lap
splicing, weld splicing and/or any other method. Further, the
quantity, size, shape, positioning, overlapping or other joining
method and/or other characteristics of the rebar or other
reinforcing members can vary as desired or required by a particular
design.
[0051] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the interface
between the floor slab 110 and adjacent shearwalls 120 positioned
above and below the floor slab 110. As discussed herein with
reference to FIG. 3, the floor slab 110 can be pre-tensioned or
post-tensioned with one or more tendons 114 to help enhance its
structural characteristics. In addition, the floor slab 110 can
comprise rebar 116, 118 and/or other reinforcing members, as
desired or required by a particular application or design. Further,
in some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 4, adjacent upper and
lower combination shearwall/column members 120 are generally
aligned with one another across the floor slab 110. In addition,
the shearwalls 120 can include rebar and/or other reinforcement
122, 124 to provide the desired tensile strength and other
structural properties. In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG.
4, the rebar 122, 124 can extend, at least partially, through the
floor slab 110, and thus, can effectively structurally connect
adjacent shearwalls 120 to one another.
[0052] With continued reference to FIG. 4, a portion 128 of the
concrete slab 110 that generally extends between adjacent shearwall
members 120 can be configured to have structural strength
characteristics that match or generally match those of the
shearwalls 120. However, in other embodiments, the structural
characteristics of such a region 128 of the concrete slab 110 are
different from the adjacent shearwalls 120.
[0053] One embodiment of a column 140 that can be used in
conjunction with a combination shearwall/column member 120
disclosed herein is illustrated in FIG. 5. As shown, the main
portion 142 of the column 140 comprises a square cross-sectional
shape that is configured to extend between adjacent (e.g., upper
and lower) floor slabs 110 of the building or other structure.
Although not illustrated in FIG. 5, the column 140 can include
rebar and/or other reinforcing members to provide it with the
necessary tensile strength and/or other desired structural
properties.
[0054] With continued reference to FIG. 5, in some embodiments,
tendons 114 used to pre or post stress the floor slab 110 are
configured to intersect or otherwise cross each other at the same
centerline location as the columns 140. Further, in order to
protect the columns 140, the tendons 114 and/or any other
components or features of the structure, a shielded area 146 can be
provided around the main portion 142 of each column 140. In some
embodiments, in order to sustain the structural integrity of the
columns 140, no penetrations can be situated with the protected
area 146. For example, in the depicted arrangement of the column
140, which is approximately 14 feet long, such an area 146 extends
approximately 2 feet around the exterior of the main column portion
142. In addition, as shown, such a protected area 146 can extend
further in the direction of one of the tendons 114, as desired or
required. In other embodiments, the column 140 can be designed with
a different protected area 146 or without a protected area at
all.
[0055] FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of an edge portion E of
the floor slab 110 at or near which a structural tendon 114 of the
slab 110 is secured. As shown, the ends of the tendon 114 can be
held in place at specific tie-in locations 162. Alternatively, one
or more tendons 114 can be placed within a concrete slab 110 when
the slab 110 is being formed. In addition, one or more other
methods or devices of securing the tendons 114 to the slab 110
and/or any other portion of the building or structure may be used,
as desired or required.
[0056] As discussed herein with reference to the columns 140 (FIG.
5), the concrete slab 110 can include one or more protected
portions 166 near the edge E of the slab and/or any other area to
help protect the structural integrity of the tendons 114. In the
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, such a protected area 166
includes a generally curved or rounded outer shape and extends to
the edge E of the slab 110. However, in other arrangements, the
shape, size, location and/or other details of the protected area
166 can vary.
[0057] As noted herein, FIGS. 7-12 illustrate top views of various
non-limiting embodiments of building floor plans having a plurality
of column members, shearwalls and other features. According to
certain arrangements, the shearwalls and the columns can be
positioned away from the outer periphery of a floor (e.g., at a
minimum setback from the exterior walls). In addition, the
shearwalls can be oriented generally perpendicularly relative to
the closest peripheral edge or closest exterior wall. Such
embodiments can provide one or more benefits, such as permitting
the building to receive a wide variety of exterior skins, designs,
architectural elements, decks (e.g., penthouse decks), cutbacks in
the buildings, other features and/or the like. Further, the use of
reinforced concrete shearwalls, columns and other structural
components can simplify the overall design, facilitate construction
and reduce costs. In addition, such layouts can help reduce the
likelihood of signal interferences to certain interior portions of
the building.
[0058] Although these inventions have been disclosed in the context
of a certain preferred embodiment and examples, it will be
understood by those skilled in the art that the present inventions
extend beyond the specifically disclosed embodiment to other
alternative embodiments and/or uses of the inventions and obvious
modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while several
variations of the inventions have been shown and described in
detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of this
invention, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art
based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various
combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and
aspects of the embodiments or variations can be made and still fall
within the scope of the invention. It should be understood that
various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiment can be
combined with or substituted for one another in order to form
varying modes of the disclosed invention. Thus, it is intended that
the scope of the present inventions herein-disclosed should not be
limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above,
but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that
follow.
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