Diagrid

Tall commercial buildings are primarily a response to the intense pressure on the avalible land .
Advances in material, construction technology, analytical methods and structural systems for
analysis and design accelerated the development of tall structure
The lateral loading due to wind and earthquake is the major factor that causes the design of high
rise buildings. The lateral loads are resisted by exterior structural system or interior structural
system. The lateral load resisting system that are widely used are mainly rigid frame, shear wall,
wall frame, braced tube system, outrigger system, tubular etc
Recent trend shows that the Diagrid structural system is becoming popular in the design of its
inherent structural and architectural advantages
Diagrid is an exterior structural system in which all perimeter vertical columns are eliminated and
consists of only inclined columns on the façade of the building
As seen in a conventional high rise building, where vertical columns and external bracings were
designed to carry gravity and lateral loads respectively, it was realized that the external mega-
diagonals were able to resist vertical and horizontal loads simultaneously, without the need for
conventional vertical columns. This led to the realization of the diagrid (“diagonal” + “grid”)
structural system.
Shear and overturning moment developed are resisted by axial action of these diagonals compared
to bending of vertical columns in framed tube structure
Diagrids have emerged as an architectural choice in the creation of contemporary buildings.

Although there are engineering–based reasons that would suggest the use of a diagrid,. Diagrids
are able to adapt to a wide range of non-rectilinear geometric forms, including irregular curves
and angles. No other type of framed structure is capable of this task.
The diagrid in its purest form is capable of resisting all of the gravity loads and lateral loads on the
structure without assistance of a traditional structural core. This permits unique deviations from
structural types that are dependent on a core for stability.
There are several functional and economic advantages that underlie the system:
→ increased stability due to triangulation
→ combination of the gravity and lateral load-bearing systems, potentially providing more efficiency
→ provision of alternate load paths (redundancy) in the event of a structural failure
→ reduced use of structural materials translating into environmental savings
→ reduced weight of the superstructure can translate into a reduced load on the foundations
→ ability to provide structural support for a myriad of shapes
 “Compared with conventional framed tubular structures without diagonals, diagrid

structures are much more effective in minimizing shear deformation because they carry
shear by axial action of the diagonal members, while conventional framed tubular structures
carry shear by the bending of the vertical columns.”
 The diagrid also provides a better distribution of load in the case of a compromised building
as the system creates redundancy in handling load paths as a direct result of the diagrid
action.
 The diagrid obviates the need for large corner columns
 Relatively straight tubular design of diagrid towers permits significantly closer spacing
between buildings, which is an important issue if looking for urban density.
Components of diagrid structural system are
Nodes
 Joints that connects all the members

 Typically formed by bolting or welding the ends of the members to a gusset plate
 When diagrid is to be exposed internally or ecternally then we have to weld to achieve
seamless connections otherwise bolting can be done easily
 Nodes can be designed as hinged or foxed depending upon condition
 In case of concentric load and high diagrid angles hinged support is enough but when load is
eccentric and diagrid is small we have to provide fixed nodes as it becomes difficult to erect
diagonal beams at nodes
Diagonal members
 Members that transfer both lateral and gravity loads through axial action
 Can be made of steel, concrete, timber and composite material
 Usually steel members are used
Perimeter girders or Ring beams
 They comprise of ring structure at the periphery of the building connected at the nodes
which are further connected with the diagrid structure
 Extremely important in maintaining the stability of the system
 Constraint the shape
 In smaller modules those with heights tio to tip of the diamond in the range of 2 to 4 floors,
the beams are designed in conjunction with the edges of the floor
 The longer the diagonal the more likely they are to require additional latera; bracing if the
desire is for slenderness
Tie beams
 Tranfer load from RC core to diagrid structure

 Unbalaced forces can be balanced by ring beams and tie beams
Core
 The purpose of core is to carry gravity loads, and to break up the span of the floor beams.
Should we need a core, as the diagrid can carry both vertical and lateral loads.
 These considerations lead to the realization that a genuine diagrid building does not need
a reinforced concrete core, because such a core will invariably assume the lateral load
resistance
Whether or not the engineering of a perimeter tube diagrid tower chooses to apportion all of the
lateral loads on the diagrid, or share the loads with a reinforced core in either steel or concrete,
will be a project-specific decision that responds to loads, geometry, height, locally available
materials, regional preferences and budget.
This means that the construction and role of the core in a diagrid tower can involve different
choices and its materiality need not be a given.
One of the technical issues associated with the dependence or not on a core for stability is seismic
design.
Current seismic codes have been established based on the actions of the core in stabilizing the
structure during a seismic event. A perimeter diagrid structure that is assuming all of the lateral
loading is functioning as a bearing wall type system and is therefore not addressed in the current
seismic codes and practices.
Constructibility
 As with any deviation from standard framing techniques, constructability is an important

issue in diagrid structures.
 While more regularized tower projects will be more in line with standard structural steel
construction, highly eccentric diagrid buildings will experience significant constructability
issues.
 These must be clearly discussed by the project team in the design phase in order to properly
anticipate the impact of the accommodation of these issues on the timing and budget of the
project.
 The engineering and fabrication of the joints for diagrid structures are more complex than
for an orthogonal structure, thereby incurring additional costs.
 The precision of the geometry of the connection nodes is critical, so it is advantageous to
maximize shop fabrication to reduce difficulties associated with on-site work and the
erection of the odd geometries that are associated with the design of the diagrids.
 The geometry and the tendency toward the use of prefabrication have necessitated a
changed approach in the construction of diagrids,
 which must address:
 → How is constructing a diagrid different from other structural types?
 → How do choices in node design, member type and length as well as module size impact
construction and erection?
 → Transportation issues associated with nodes and long members
 → Site issues that are unique to diagrid construction
 → Stability during erection (weighing size of member versus temporary shoring)
Generally speaking, diagrids are more difficult to construct than standard structural steel
buildings and this must be reflected in the way that diagrid structures are designed t
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Tall commercial buildings are primarily a response to the intense pressure on the avalible land .

Diagrids have emerged as an architectural choice in the creation of contemporary buildings.

→ increased stability due to triangulation

→ reduced use of structural materials translating into environmental savings

→ ability to provide structural support for a myriad of shapes

 “Compared with conventional framed tubular structures without diagonals, diagrid

Components of diagrid structural system are

 Joints that connects all the members

Perimeter girders or Ring beams

 Tranfer load from RC core to diagrid structure

 As with any deviation from standard framing techniques, constructability is an important

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