SS2026 / Architectural Design + CAD II

STRUCTURES

25.05.2026, [Link]
Contents

Structural Decisions:

• Structural Materials
• Structure Types
• Foundation Types
Area

• 6m × 25m

150m²
Height

• 6m × 25m
• Up to 5 floors
Structure

• 6m × 25m
• Up to 5 floors
• Structural Frame
Structure

• 6m × 25m
• Up to 5 floors
• Structural Frame
• Or Shear Walls
Foundation

• 6m × 25m
• Up to 5 floors
• Ben Cat – Piles
Foundation

• 6m × 25m
• Up to 5 floors
• Ben Cat – Piles
TOPIC 1 – Frame or Wall?
TOPIC 2 – Sheer Walls
In both directions…
In both directions…
Deep Beams (Wandartige Träger)

Structural Engineer
confirmation !!
TOPIC 3 - Beams / No Beams
Beams / No Beams: Flat Slab
Beams No Beams
- Width 250-300mm
- Depth 400-500mm Flat Slabs
- Thickness 250-300mm
Slabs
- Thickness 120-150mm *Flat slabs with column structure:
Punching Sheer needs to be handled with careful
detailing (rebar design) at the joint area
Beams / No Beams: Flat Slab
Beams No Beams
- Width 250-300mm
- Depth 400-500mm Flat Slabs
- Thickness 250-300mm
Slabs
- Thickness 120-150mm *Flat Slab Thickness per Span
- 4m span à T=180mm (easy)
- 6m span à T=250mm (OK)
- 8m span à T=320mm (thick)
- 10m span à T=400mm (inefficient)
(from 8m span, beam is more economic)
Structural choices

Decision 1 : Columns or Walls?

Decision 2 : Beams or Flat Slab?
Decision 3 : Shear Walls
Frame structure example
Wall structure example
Reinforced Concrete?

Advantages: Disadvantages:
• Resists both compression and tension • Heavy self-weight → larger foundation load
• Excellent durability in tropical climate • Formwork and shoring → slower construction
• High thermal mass → stabilizes interior • Difficult to modify once cast
temperature • High carbon footprint — cement production is
• Locally available materials and labor one of the largest sources of CO₂ in construction
• Works for both frame and wall structure
• Inherently fire resistant — no additional
fireproofing needed
• Low maintenance over building lifetime
Steel Structure?
Advantages over RC: Disadvantages:
• Thin sections → minimal space loss in a 6m • Requires fireproofing — vulnerable to heat without
wide plan protection
• Shallower floor depth → lower floor-to-floor • Requires anti-corrosion coating in tropical humid
height conditions
• Fast construction — prefabricated, no • Higher material cost than RC
casting on site • Less common construction experience
• Bracing option → replaces shear walls →
more plan freedom Potential for this building:
• Excellent in tension, compression, and • Fully viable as a column-and-beam frame
bending • Particularly strong for open front facade designs
• Recommended for ambitious students
Mass Timber?
Advantages: Challenges:
• Lowest carbon footprint of all three — stores • Moisture and termite protection critical in tropical
carbon rather than emitting it climate
• Light self-weight → reduced foundation load • Complex connection details
• Fast construction — prefabricated assembly • Less local construction experience than RC or steel
• Warm aesthetic — exposed timber interior • Fire rating certification process required
• Glulam columns and beams → structurally
efficient sections Potential for this project:
• Local Availability • Viable as a primary structure
• Timber roof truss is standard for pinched roofs
• Most challenging but most interesting option —
highly encouraged for adventurous students
Summary: Structural Materials
Reinforced Concrete Steel Mass Timber

400×400 column
Column / wall 200×200 column Glulam 200×200
or 200mm wall

Lateral system Shear walls Bracing or shear walls Shear walls

Multiple options with or without CLT(without beams) or Glulam

Floor Flat slab or thin slab with beams
beams slab (with beams)

Self-weight Heavy Medium Light (least piles needed)

Construction speed Medium (formwork+curing) Fast (prefab+assembly) Fast (prefab+assembly)

Carbon footprint High Medium Low

Fire resistance Inherent Coating required Treatment required

Local availability Standard Available Available

Cost Medium Medium-high Medium-high

Recommended for Default starting point Open plan, thin sections Sustainability-focused
BTW,

R U creative?
For example…
Folded Walls (RC/CLT)

• Bearing Walls only in the middle

• Cantilever Slabs
• Walls must be designed to carry vertical
and horizontal loads
• No additional shear walls needed
• Structure free façade
• Open views
Flared Columns (RC/CLT)

• Flared Columns with wide top

• Reduced cantilever length
• Additional shear walls needed
• Open façade
• Holes in the slabs can allow skylight
Pin Forest (Steel/CLT)

• Many thin steel columns hold slabs

• Shear walls are needed, but can be
reduced or even omitted by optimized
column angles
• Open façades
• CLT slabs are suitable with its light weight