Kinetic Structures in Architecture

Abstract eng:
In the frame of integrated architectural design, the structural building design plays a most decisive role in supporting the areas of interdisciplinary development as regards form, construction and energy efficiency of the building. In earthquake endangered areas the design of the structure includes an additional level of complexity within the integral development, for achieving from an early design stage optimized characteristics in respect to the functional requirements and the dynamic behavior of the system. The capacity design approach that leads to the development of appropriate structural areas with energy dissipative characteristics, included in most national codes for earthquake safety, serves as the basis of the designs. In extending the “classical” structural design approach for earthquake resistance, the present paper examines innovative, alternative control methods for achieving dynamic adaptable structural systems. The control concepts rely on the integration of passive damping mechanisms within the structural systems. The analysis of kinetic structures presented herein addresses primarily configuration and dynamic behavior issues of the systems and aims at promoting within the integrated architectural design approach the development of adaptable earthquake resistant structures from an early design stage. The new control systems are based on a dual function of the damper-bracing components. The bracing mechanism has a kinetic closed circuit, working only in tension. Three different bracing configurations of a frame with plastic hysteretic devices are investigated in their dynamic behavior under actual earthquakes of the Greek-Mediterranean region.

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