Archive of IJHRB


Archive of IJHRB


Vol. - No. Vol.12 - No.2
Date Jun., 2023
Title Lightweight Floor Systems for Tall Buildings: A Comparative Analysis of Structural Material Efficiencies
Author Piyush Khairnar+
Institutions Huckabee College of Architecture, Texas Tech University, Lubbock TX
Abstract Typical floor systems in contemporary tall buildings consist of reinforced
concrete or composite metal deck over framing members and account for a majority of
the structural weight of the building. The use of high-density materials, such as reinforced
concrete and steel, increases the weight of floor systems, reducing the system's overall
efficiency. With the introduction of high-performance materials, mainly mass timber
products, and fiber-reinforced composites, in the construction industry, designers and
engineers have multiple options to choose from when selecting structural materials. This
paper discusses the application of mass timber and carbon fiber composites as structural
materials in floor systems of tall buildings. The research focused on a comparative
analysis of the structural system efficiency for five different design options for tall
building floor systems. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) method was adopted to develop
a simulation framework, and parametric structural models were simulated to evaluate the
structural performance under specific loading conditions. Simulation results revealed the
advantages of lightweight structural materials to improve system efficiency and reduce
material consumption. The impact of mechanical properties of materials, loading
conditions, and issues related to fire engineering and construction were briefly discussed,
and future research topics were identified in conclusion.
Keyword Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composites, Mass Timber, Tall Building Floor
Systems, Structural Simulation, Parametric Design
PP. PP.145~152
Paper File Files(2477 kb) View

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