The resource efficiency of load-bearing construction in buildings can be increased by means of a suitable selection of structural systems, distances between beams and columns as well as materials and construction elements. This article explains some of the requirements for primary load-bearing systems in office buildings, as well as criteria for the assessment of their ecological and economic performance. Furthermore, it highlights selected results of extensive parameter studies that have been carried out in the scope of the German AIF-FOSTA research project P881 ‘Sustainable office buildings in steel composite construction’. The focus of the article is both floor systems and entire structural systems that are comprised of floor slabs, beams and columns.
Steel/concrete composite structures are used for office buildings in many technologically highly-developed countries. Depending on the structural design of the floor systems, two basic design principles can be distinguished: floor systems with downstand beams and slim-floor-systems with integrated floor beams. Rolled and welded I-sections are used as floor beams. The slab itself can be made of in-situ concrete, precast concrete with concrete infill as well as half precast concrete or profiled sheeting with structural concrete covering. The latter option has the advantage that the profiled sheeting replaces the formwork and they can be considered as reinforcement if the geometry is suitable. Furthermore, the profiled sheeting can be secured by hand due to the low weight and be used to attach suspended ceilings and service distribution.
For the ecological and economic assessment of the different structural systems, an assessment system was developed based on the principles of the German BNB and DGNB sustainability rating systems. Both the ecological and economic rating are expressed as percentage values. In each diagram, a value of 100% corresponds to the highest cost or highest ecological rating that was achieved within the respective parametric study. (Richard Stroetmann, Christine Podgorski)
Steel/concrete composite structures are used for office buildings in many technologically highly-developed countries. Depending on the structural design of the floor systems, two basic design principles can be distinguished: floor systems with downstand beams and slim-floor-systems with integrated floor beams. Rolled and welded I-sections are used as floor beams. The slab itself can be made of in-situ concrete, precast concrete with concrete infill as well as half precast concrete or profiled sheeting with structural concrete covering. The latter option has the advantage that the profiled sheeting replaces the formwork and they can be considered as reinforcement if the geometry is suitable. Furthermore, the profiled sheeting can be secured by hand due to the low weight and be used to attach suspended ceilings and service distribution.
For the ecological and economic assessment of the different structural systems, an assessment system was developed based on the principles of the German BNB and DGNB sustainability rating systems. Both the ecological and economic rating are expressed as percentage values. In each diagram, a value of 100% corresponds to the highest cost or highest ecological rating that was achieved within the respective parametric study. (Richard Stroetmann, Christine Podgorski)