Using Construction Sequence Analysis to Mitigate Risk and Prevent Failures

Abstract

Nowadays, space limitations on the expansion of urban infrastructure necessitate the incorporation of various architectural complexities, such as soft storeys or floating columns, at numerous storey levels and positions in tall buildings. The presence of floating columns in the structure causes a discontinuity in the load transfer path, which is fatal during earthquakes. The stage-wise design of tall buildings, which deviates from the conventional approach, gives realistic results and is thus more appealing to designers. This paper employs ETABS v20 to deal with analyses on two multi-storey reinforced concrete buildings of varying bay widths. Acted upon by wall loads and self-weight of members, a relative analysis assessment of the full-frame model followed by a stage-wise examination of the model yields a conclusive response to the query on how the use of M40 and M60 concrete grades in building frame members can be used to assess the effects on their structural responses, thereby improving the performance of a building during its service life. The results of the study indicate that with addition of more storeys, the cumulative weight at every floor by construction stage analysis (CSA) increases; and compared to columns, beams are more susceptible to sequential effects.