Masters Thesis Report _ Skyscraper _ High rise Mixed use Development

HIGH RISE MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT
AT CHENNAI
THESIS REPORT
Submitted by
M. SENTHIL
in partial fulfillment for the award of the degree
of
MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE (General)
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
HINDUSTAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE
CHENNAI 603 103
April 2015

HINDUSTAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE
(HITS)
CHENNAI – 603 103
BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE
Certified that the Thesis titled “HIGH RISE MIXED USE
DEVELOPMENT AT CHENNAI” is the bonafide work of
Mr. SENTHIL.M (1350010) who carried out the thesis work under my
supervision. Certified further, that to the best of my knowledge this
thesis work reported herein is does not form part of any other thesis on
the basis of which a degree or award was conferred on an earlier
occasion on this or any other PG student.
Signature of the Internal Guides
Names:
Prof. Kerstin Frick Asso.Prof. Suresh Ramachandran
Dean PG Architecture School of Architecture
Internal Examiner External Examiner
Name ……………….. Name…………….
Designation…………. Designation ……..
Address Address
.
Prof. Kerstin Frick
Dean PG Architecture
School of Architecture
Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Padur.

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ABSTRACT
Urban migration, whereby populations flock to urban centers looking for work,
leaves cities short on affordable housing, transport links and can either lead to inner-
city poverty or urban sprawl. High-rise mixed use development offers solutions
to both problems by maximizing the number of people that can live and work
on a scarce, fixed amount of available land.
Increasing demands for urban spaces pushed the environment to grow vertical and
compact. The traditional front-lawn houses are cut away and rearranged into
skyscrapers, losing their greenness and their “neighborhood”. So the necessity of
mixed- use developments integrating plants and bio-climatic design principles has
come up.
This thesis explores the design issues and goals in high rise mixed use development.
The designing and planning of high rise mixed use development involve
consideration of all prevailing conditions and is usually guided by the local bye-laws.
The various functional needs, efficiency, economy, energy conservation, aesthetics,
technology, fire and life safety solution, vertical transportation, human comforts,
operation and maintenance practices, provision of future growth are some of the
main factors to be incorporated in the design.

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This thesis has been emphasized on integration of plants into skyscrapers and
applying bioclimatic design principles which play a vital role for the energy
conservation by the building as well as improving the living quality into these
vertical cities.
Throughout the thesis work it has been studied to establish the necessity of planting
to incorporate into skyscrapers, for the wellbeing of our economy, society and the
environment. The provisions of integrating plants into skyscraper by the four
possible options like, Green roof, Green wall, Bio filter and Indoor potting plants
were incorporated into the design.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to thank my thesis supervisors Ar.Kerstin Frick, Dean PG,
Ar.Suresh Ramachandran, Associate Professor, Ar.Sathish, Assistant Professor
and Professor Dr. Ravi Kumar Bhargava for their guidance and inputs
throughout this process. I would like to thank Ar. Ezhil Arasi, Senior Manager,
Jones Lang LaSalle, Bangalore for her valuable support during site visit to UB city.
I would also like to thank my wife, Er. S. Jayalakshmi for all of her love, help and
encouragement during my studies at Hindustan University. Lastly, I would like to
thank my friends for their support.
M. SENTHIL

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER TITLE PAGE
NO. NO.
ABSTRACT i
LIST OF FIGURES ix
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS xii
LIST OF DRAWINGS xiii
1 INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 DEFINITION OF HIGH RISE BUILDING 2
1.2 THE THESIS 3
1.3 SCOPE OF THE THESIS 3
1.4 OBJECTIVES 4
1.5 METHODOLOGY 4
1.6 THE SITE 5
2 DATA COLLECTION 8
2.1 PLANNING AND DESIGNING OF HIGH RISE 8
BUILDING
2.1.1 BASIC PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS 8
2.1.2 BASIC DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS 11

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2.2 HIGH RISE DESIGN FOR EARTHQUAKE ZONE 12
2.2.1 NATURE OF EARTHQUAKE 12
2.2.2 ACTION OF SEISMIC LOADS ON THE
BUILDING 13
2.2.3 ROLE OF SUBSOIL 13
2.2.4 FOUNDATIONS DESIGN FOR EARTHQUAKE 13
2.2.5 HEIGHT OF THE BUILDING 14
2.2.6 SYMMETRY OF THE HIGH-RISE BUILDING 14
2.2.7 SHAPE OF THE HIGH-RISE BUILDING 14
2.3 LATERAL LOADS ON HIGH RISE BUILDINGS 15
2.3.1 NATURE OF WIND 15
2.3.2 WIND EFFECTS ON HIGH RISE BUILDINGS 16
2.3.3 VARIATION OF WIND SPEED WITH HEIGHT 17
2.3.4 TURBULENT AND DYNAMIC NATURE
OF WIND 18
2.3.5 VORTEX-SHEDDING PHENOMENON 18
2.3.6 CLADDING PRESSURES 19
2.4 STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS FOR TALL BUILDINGS
SYSTEMS 20
2.4.1 STEEL, REINFORCED CONCRETE AND
COMPOSITE HIGH RISE BUILDINGS 20
2.5. INSTALLATION OF SERVICE SYSTEMS 22
2.5.1 ENERGY AND WATER SUPPLY 23
2.5.2 VENTILATION AND AIR-CONDITIONING 24
2.5.3 SANITATION 25
2.5.4 CONTROL SYSTEMS 25

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2.6. FIRE-FIGHTING 26
2.6.1. FIRE FIGHTER ACCESSIBILITY 26
2.6.2 OCCUPANT EVACUATION 26
2.6.3 AREAS OF REFUGE 26
2.6.4 FIRE EXTINGUISHERS 27
2.6.5 FIRE-FIGHTING WATER 27
2.6.6 SPRINKLERS 28
2.6.7 OTHER EQUIPMENT 30
2.7 NET CASE STUDY 31
2.7.1. BHURJ KHALIFA, DUBAI. 31
2.7.2 CONCEPT 31
2.7.3 FOUNDATION 32
2.7.4 FLOOR PLANS 35
2.7.5 EXTERIOR CLADDING 41
2.7.6 SERVICES 42
2.7.7 FIRE SAFETY 44
2.7.8 LANDSCAPE 45
2.7.9 INFERENCES 46
2.8 LIVE CASE STUDY 47
2.8.1 UB CITY, BANGALORE 47
2.8.2 UB TOWER 51
2.8.3 CONCORDE BLOCK 52
2.8.4 CANBERRA BLOCK 53
2.8.5 COMET BLOCK 54
2.8.6 SERVICES 56
2.8.7 INFERENCES 61

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2.9 LITERATURE CASE STUDY 62
2.9.1 CAMBRIDGE CITY HALL – GREEN WALL
CASE STUDY 62
2.9.2 THE LIVING WALL AT CLUB MONACO : AN
URBAN BIOFILTRATION CASE STUDY 63
2.10 SPECIAL STUDY
2.10.1 BIOCLIMATIC SKY SCRAPPER 64
2.10.2 GREEN ROOFS : GREEN OUTER 68
2.10.3 GREEN WALL : GREEN OUTER 70
2.10.4 BIOFILTERS : GREEN INNER 72
2.10.5 INDOOR PLANTS : GREEN INNER 73
3 ANALYSIS 74
3.1 DESIGN GOALS AND ISSUES 74
3.2 DESIGN REQUIREMENTS 75
3.2.1 DEVELOPMENT CONTROL RULES 76
4 PROJECT DESIGN DEVELOPMENT 78
4.1 DESIGN PROCESS 78
4.2 CONCEPT 78
4.3 SITE ZONING 79
4.4 VERTICAL CIRCULATIONS 80
4.5 FORM EVOLUTION 81
4.6 DRAWINGS 82

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5 CONCLUSION 94
LIST OF REFERENCES 95

ix
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE NO. TITLES PAGE NO.
Fig: 1.1 Methodology Chart 4
Fig: 1.2 Location of the proposed site 5
Fig: 1.3 Annual temperatures 6
Fig: 1.4 Surrounding developments near
to the site 7
Fig: 1.5 SWOT Analysis 7
Fig: 2.1 Ceiling height and floor-to-floor height 9
Fig: 2.2 Variation of wind speed with height. 17
Fig: 2.3 Simplified wind flow 18
Fig: 2.4 Vortices in different wind
speed conditions 19
Fig: 2.5 Ventilation and Air-conditioning system 24
Fig: 2.6 Control system 25
Fig: 2.7 Typical design for area of Refuge 27
Fig: 2.8 Automatic Sprinkler System 28
Fig: 2.9 Burj Kalifa, Dubai 30
Fig: 2.10 Concept behind Burj Kalifa 31
Fig: 2.11 Type of Foundation 33
Fig: 2.12 Podium 33
Fig: 2.13 Structural system 34
Fig: 2.14 Vertical Zoning 35

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Fig: 2.15 Ground floor plan 36
Fig: 2.16 Basement parking plan 36
Fig: 2.17 Hotel floor plan 37
Fig: 2.18 Residential floor plan 37
Fig: 2.19 Types of Residential units plan 38
Fig: 2.20 Office floor plan 39
Fig: 2.21 Communication floors 39
Fig: 2.22 Mechanical floors 40
Fig: 2.23 Aerial view from Observation deck 40
Fig: 2.24 Spiral 41
Fig: 2.25 Exterior Cladding 41
Fig: 2.26 Cleaning System 42
Fig: 2.27 Elevators 43
Fig: 2.28 Fire Safety Elevators 44
Fig: 2.29 Landscape Aerial View 45
Fig: 2.30 Stone Paving Patterns 45
Fig: 2.31 Night View of UB City, Bangalore 47
Fig: 2.32 Aerial View 48
Fig: 2.33 Site plan 49
Fig: 2.34 UB Tower 51
Fig: 2.35 UB Tower typical floor plan 51
Fig: 2.36 Concorde block 52
Fig: 2.37 Concorde block typical floor plan 52
Fig: 2.38 Canberra block 53
Fig: 2.39 Canberra block floor plan 53
Fig: 2.40 Comet block 54
Fig: 2.41 Comet block typical floor plan 54

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Fig: 2.42 Exterior cladding 55
Fig: 2.43 Bridge connecting Canberra and
Concorde block 55
Fig: 2.44 View of Retail space 56
Fig: 2.45 View of Amphi Theatre, Food court
and Landscape garden 57
Fig: 2.46 Night view of Roof top restaurant 58
Fig: 2.47 View of Parking area 59
Fig: 2.48 Water supply system 60
Fig: 2.49 View of Coffer slab 61
Fig: 2.50 Cambridge City hall 62
Fig: 2.51 Club Monaco 63
Fig: 2.52 Service core position 65
Fig: 2.53 Stairways position 65
Fig: 2.54 Window Orientations 66
Fig: 2.55 Deep recesses 67
Fig: 2.56 Building orientation 67
Fig: 2.57 Roof top Gardens 69
Fig: 2.58 Green wall concept 71
Fig: 2.59 Green wall concept in Elevations 72
Fig: 2.60 Biofilteration concept 72
Fig: 2.61 Indoor Plants 73
Fig. 4.1 Design process flow chart 78
Fig. 4.2 Site Zoning 79
Fig. 4.3 Vertical Circulation 80
Fig. 4.4 Evolution of Form 81

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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
CTBUH – The Council of Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat
LEED –Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
CGBC –Canada Green Building Council
CMDA – Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority
CCTV – Closed Circuit Tele Vision
HVAC – Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
BIM – Building Information Modeling
NBC – National Building Code
DCR – Development Control Rules
MEP – Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing
AHU –Air Handling Unit
BMU – Building Maintenance Unit
BMS – Building Management System
GRT – Green Roof Technology
OSR – Open Space Reservation
FSI – Floor Space Index
IT – Information Technology

xiii
LIST OF DRAWINGS
DRAWING NO. TITLES PAGE NO.
Drwg. : 4.1 Site plan 82
Drwg. : 4.2 Ground floor plan 83
Drwg. : 4.3 First floor plan 84
Drwg. : 4.4 Second floor plan 85
Drwg. : 4.5 Third floor plan 86
Drwg. : 4.6 Fourth floor plan 87
Drwg. : 4.7 Typical office floor plan 88
Drwg. : 4.8 Residential/Mechanical floor plan 89
Drwg. : 4.9 Typical Basement floor plan 90
Drwg. : 4.10 Sectional view 91
Drwg. : 4.11 Perspectives 92
Drwg. : 4.12 Front /Side Elevation 93

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CHAPTER -1
INTRODUCTION
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Man has always built monumental structures for the gods, including temples,
pyramids and cathedrals which pointed to the sky; however, today’s monuments, i.e.
tall buildings, symbolize power, richness, prestige, and glory. The major difficulty,
from the ancient efforts to reach heaven with the Tower of Babel to the world’s
tallest building – Bhurj Khalifa, has been to overcome the limitations of nature with
human ingenuity.
Until the introduction of modern metal frame construction, advent of electricity,
fireproofing, and most importantly elevator, tall building actually was not practical.
These technological innovations were first utilized in the Home Insurance Building
(1885), and by the advances in these innovations, tall buildings become more and
more practical.
Today, it is virtually impossible to imagine a major city without tall buildings. Tall
buildings are the most famous landmarks of cities, symbols of power, dominance of
human ingenuity over natural world, confidence in technology and a mark of national
pride; and besides these, the importance of tall buildings in the contemporary urban
development is without doubt ever increasing despite their several undeniable
negative effects on the quality of urban life.
The feasibility and desirability of tall buildings have always depended on the
available materials, the level of construction technology, and the state of
development of the services necessary for the use of the building. Therefore,
advances in structural design concepts, analytical techniques, and a more
sophisticated construction industry, in conjunction with the high-strength lightweight
materials have made it possible to construct very tall, much more slender and
lightweight buildings at a low cost premium compared to conventional construction.

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However, every advance in height comes with a new difficulty and hence the race
toward new heights has not been without its challenges as well. Understandably, the
increased flexibility makes contemporary tall buildings much more vulnerable to
environmental excitations such as wind, which leads to horizontal vibration.
The tall buildings are designed primarily to serve the needs of the occupancy, and, in
addition to the satisfied structural safety, one of the dominant design requirements is
to meet the necessary standards for the comfort of the building users and the
serviceability. In this context, since wind can create excessive building motion, the
dynamic nature of wind is a critical issue, negatively affecting occupancy comfort
and serviceability.
Many researches and studies have been done in order to mitigate such an excitation
and improve the performance of tall buildings against wind loads. Hence, different
design methods and modifications are possible, ranging from alternative structural
systems to the addition of damping systems in order to ensure the functional
performance of flexible structures and control the wind induced motion of tall
buildings.
1.1 DEFINITION OF HIGH RISE BUILDING
As the notion of size or appearance of tallness is a relative matter, and not consistent
over time and place, it is difficult to define or distinguish the ‘tall building’,
‘high-rise building’ or ‘skyscraper’ just in terms of size. Unfortunately, there is no
consensus on what comprises a tall building or at what magical height, or number of
stories, buildings can be called tall. The terms all mean the same type of building
which is built extremely high – in which skyscraper is a more assertive term.
Although the high-rise building has been accepted as a building type since the late
19th century, tall buildings have been constructed since ancient times for several
purposes and, therefore, the history of tall buildings is much older than a century.

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“A building whose height creates different conditions in the design, construction, and
use than those that exist in common buildings of a certain region and period.”
-The Council of Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH)
Consequently, the use of the terms ‘tall building’, ‘high-rise building’, and
‘skyscraper’ have common associations, and depending on time and place, the
concept of height varies in relation to the progress of technology and the desires of
society.
1.1.1 BENEFITS OF MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT
• Reduced distances between housing, workplaces, retail businesses, and other
amenities and destinations
• More compact development
• Stronger neighborhood character, sense of place
• Walkable, bike-able neighborhoods, increased accessibility via transit, both
resulting in reduced transportation costs
1.2 THE THESIS
1.2.1 AIM
To design a bioclimatic architecture and integrating plants into skyscrapers for a high
rise mixed use development.
1.3 SCOPE OF THE THESIS
• Analysis and incorporating bioclimatic design principles for high rise mixed use
development.
• Analyzing and using new design techniques

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1.4 OBJECTIVES
1. To study how architecture contribute to the mixed use development
2. To design spaces which enhances the physical and visual interaction and reduce
isolation.
3. To design spaces which bring closer to nature and harmony.
4. To bring transparency, openness and fluidity of space.
5. Priority to sustainable materials and functional requirements in design, while
integrating services to it.
1.5 METHODOLOGY
The Fig: 1.1 show the methodology chart for this study. This methodology chart
explains the first step, about the study of general information of high rise planning.
This includes the components of high rise planning, definition of high rise and its
complex services. The next step is the study of high rise planning from various case
studies. Then the classification of issues in different aspects is made from the
findings. Then the detail study is made for each aspects through different case
studies. Finally, the concept for the design is evolved, and progressed towards
developing the design
Fig: 1.1 Methodology chart

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1.6. THE SITE
1.6.1 LOCATION:
Proposed site (Ref. Fig: 1.2) is at Rajiv Gandhi IT Expressway, Thaiyur. Site extent
is about 30 acres It is closer to Siruseri SIPCOT This village comes under chengalpet
taluk of Kancheepuram district in Tamil Nadu. Nearby Hospitals include Chettinadu
health city . After the rise of IT park in Siruseri, it's surrounded with so many
apartments and villas Near By Hospital - Chettinad Health City (1.5 km), Near by
School - PSBB (2 km)Velammal vidyashram(3 km), Near By University- VIT
chennai (6 km). and Hindustan university. It is 16 km from Tambaram and 3 km
from Kelambakkam
Fig: 1.2 Location of the proposed site

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1.6.2 CLIMATE: THAIYUR
The climate here is tropical. In winter, there is much more rainfall in Thaiyur than in
summer. In Thaiyur, the average annual temperature is 28.5 °C. The rainfall here
averages 1202 mm. The driest month is March, with 2 mm of rain. Most precipitation
falls in November, with an average of 311 mm.
Fig: 1.3 Annual temperatures
1.6.3 SITE SURROUNDING DEVELOPMENTS
Thaiyur is a fast developing village near Chennai. Proximity to major IT parks like
SIPCOT, Siruseri (around 5 KM away from sipcot through a newly laid road back
linking back side of SIPCOT); Hospitals like Chettinadu health city and appollo
hospitals; major apartment complexes like Hiranandani, L&T and Arihant; Jain
Housing and Land Marvel Constructions.

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Fig: 1.4 Surrounding developments near to the site
1.6.4 SWOT - ANALYSIS
Fig: 1.5 SWOT Analysis

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CHAPTER -2
LITERATURE SURVEY
2.0 DATA COLLECTION
2.1 PLANNING AND DESIGNING OF HIGH RISE BUILDINGS
2.1.1 BASIC PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS
Basic planning considerations for high rise building design include the following
parameters:
• Planning module
• Span
• Ceiling height
• Floor-to-floor height
• Depth of structural floor system
• Elevator system
• Core planning
• Parking
Planning module, namely the space one needs for living, changes according to the
culture and the economic class.
Span, described as the distance from a fixed interior element such as building core to
exterior window wall, is another important criterion for good interior planning. These
depths change depending on the function of the space, and acceptable span is
determined by office layouts, hotel room standards, and residential code
requirements for outside light and air. Usually, the depth of the span should be
between 12 and 18 m for office functions, except where very large single tenant
groups are to be accommodated. Lease span for hotels and residential units range
from 9 to 12 m.

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Ceiling height (Fig: 2.1) is also an important factor in building planning.
Commercial functions require a variety of ceiling heights ranging between 2.7 and
3.7 m. While office functions necessitate ceiling heights of approximately 2.5 to 3.0
m, residential and hotel functions require ceiling heights of 2.5 to 3.0 m.
Floor-to-floor height (Fig: 2.1), which is a function of the necessary ceiling height,
the depth of the structural floor system, and the depth of the space required for
mechanical distribution, determines the overall height of the building, and affects the
overall cost. A small increase or decrease in floor-to-floor height, when multiplied by
the number of floors and the area of the perimeter enclosure by the building, can
have a great effect on many systems such as the exterior, structural, mechanical
system, and the overall cost.
Depth of structural floor system plays an important role for planning considerations
in high rise buildings, and varies broadly depending on the floor load requirements,
size of the structural bay, and type of floor framing system.
Elevator system is another major component for good interior planning. In the design
of an elevator system, waiting interval, elevator size and speed interpretation of
program criteria, areas to be served, the population density of the building, and the
handling capacity of the system at peak periods, must be considered. This becomes
even more complicated for mixed-use projects.
Fig 2.1 Ceiling height and floor-to-
floor height

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For preliminary planning, one elevator per 1000 m2 of gross area is a rule of thumb
for estimating the number of elevators needed. Besides this, the net usable area varies
from one elevator zone to another and from floor to floor, and should average from
80 to 85% over the entire building. The sky-lobby concept is an important and
innovative approach in elevator system design. This concept uses high-speed express
shuttle cars to transport passengers from the ground level to a lobby higher up in the
building for transfer to local elevator zones so that the area used for elevator shafts
and lobbies on the lower floors of the building is reduced.
Core planning is another significant issue for planning considerations. A typical
floor in a high rise building contains a perimeter zone, an interior zone, and a core
zone. While perimeter zone is described as an approximately 4.5 m or 5 m deep area
from the window wall with access through the interior zone, interior zone is defined
as the area between the perimeter and the public corridor. On the other hand, core
zone consists of those areas between elevator banks which become rentable on floors
at which elevators do not stop. Central core, which is generally used in the buildings
with a rectangular plan, and split core, which is generally used in the building with a
relatively square plan, is the most typical core arrangements. Cores accommodate
elevator shafts, mechanical shafts, stairs, and elevator lobbies. Core elements that
pass through or serve every floor should be located, so that they can rise
continuously, and thus avoid expensive and space-consuming transfers.
Parking is another planning requirement, which varies according to different
functions such as business, residential, and like. When parking facility provided
within the footprint of the building, it has a great impact on the plan and the
structure. If it is inevitable, the structural bay should be well arranged to obtain
efficient space use for parking and functional areas, and the core elements should be
effectively located to minimize interference with car parking and circulation.
Mechanical ventilation is one other important concern for the user of parking facility,
and pedestrians.

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2.1.2 BASIC DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
The basic design considerations for a high rise building include the following
parameters:
• the cultural, political, and social aspects of the city where the building will be
located
• a strong relationship with the city
• the master plan and an appropriate site selection
• sustainability
• safety and security issues
• learning about the possibilities and limitations of technology
When a high rise building is designed, the design team should also be aware of the
codes, regulations, zoning requirements, and life safety issues.
The master plan is one of the significant design considerations for high rise
buildings, in which well-performed site analysis include, automobile, traffic and
pedestrian impact, accessibility, minimal blockage of view, and minimizing the
building shadows to neighboring buildings. Besides this, an appropriate site selection
also includes the consideration of reuse or rehabilitation of existing buildings, and
physical security. The location of high rise buildings within an urban area affects the
amount of day lighting, and may even create wind tunnels.
Sustainability is also a key element in high rise building design. This concept is
based on the following objectives: optimization of site potential, minimization of
energy consumption, protection and conservation of water, use of environmental-
friendly products, enhancement of indoor environmental quality, and optimization of
operational and maintenance practices. Day lighting, natural shading, energy
efficient and photovoltaic facades, wind power systems, and the sky garden concept
are also the main parameters for a more sustainable high rise building design.

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Designing a safe and secure high rise building has always been a primary goal for
owners, architects, engineers, and project managers. There is an increased concern on
these issues for high rise building design especially after the disastrous 9/11 incident.
Natural disasters, acts of terrorism, indoor air quality, hazardous materials, and fire
are very significant and immediate safety issues to be considered in the design.
Learning about the possibilities and limitations of technology is critical for the
success of the project. New technology and new building materials are being
introduced at a fast rate; it is important to track these changes. The different demands
of the ever changing nature of business and lifestyle also force us to be aware of the
technological changes.
2.2 HIGH RISE DESIGN FOR EARTHQUAKE ZONES
2.2.1 NATURE OF EARTHQUAKE
The earth’s outer layer is composed of plates ranging in thickness from 32 to 241
km. The plates are in constant motion, riding on the molten mantle below, and
normally traveling at the rate of a millimeter a week, which is equivalent to the
growth rate of a fingernail. Hence, this motion causes continental drift and the
formation of mountains, volcanoes, and earthquakes
The Richter scale is a logarithmic scale for determining the energy dissipated in an
earthquake. This means that an earthquake measuring 7 on the Richter scale
dissipates 32 times the energy of a size-6 quake, while one measuring 8 dissipates
roughly 1,000 times as much energy. The energy dissipated by these earthquakes is
expressed in horizontal and vertical acceleration forces acting on the skyscrapers.
The immense forces transmitted from underground must be absorbed by the
supporting structures of the buildings. These dynamic loads are replaced by
structural equivalent loads in horizontal and vertical direction when a structural
analysis of the building is performed.

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2.2.2 ACTION OF SEISMIC LOADS ON THE BUILDING
The horizontal and vertical acceleration of the subsoil due to an earthquake causes
the building to vibrate. In simplified form, these loads can be represented by
horizontal and vertical equivalent loads acting on the mass centre of gravity of the
building. The magnitude of these equivalent loads depends directly on the mass of
the building. This leads to the conclusion that as the height of the building increases,
the mass centre of gravity normally wanders upwards and the flexural effect on the
building is intensified by the longer lever arm. The potential earthquake damage
suffered by high-rise buildings varies. The damage depends more on the rate of
motion and magnitude of the displacement than on the acceleration.
2.2.3 ROLE OF SUBSOIL
Natural rock is the best subsoil from the point of view of its earthquake properties.
Sandy soils saturated with water and artificially backfilled land are considered to be
particularly critical. The widely-feared liquefaction effects (plasticization of the soil)
can occur if an earthquake coincides with high groundwater levels. The building may
subsequently remain at a slant or both the building and the surrounding terrain may
subside.
2.2.4 FOUNDATIONS DESIGN FOR EARTHQUAKE
Deep foundations generally display better seismic resistance than shallow
foundations. Floating foundations can prove advantageous on soft ground, since they
may be better able to attenuate resonance action. The risk of subsidence is
considerably greater with floating foundations than with deep foundations. “Base
isolation” is an anti-seismic construction technique that uses the principle of
attenuation to reduce vibrations. The building is isolated from the solid subsoil by
damping elements arranged on a foundation ring or foundation plate. The building
was retroactively more or less mounted on ball bearings which are intended to gently
damp down the impact of a future earthquake. As in the case of wind loads,
earthquakes can also give rise to resonant vibration.

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2.2.5 HEIGHT OF THE BUILDING
High rise buildings are more susceptible to damage from strong remote earthquakes
than from weak earthquakes close at hand. They normally have a lower resonant
frequency and a lower attenuation than low buildings. Short-wave oscillation
components in earthquakes are rapidly damped, while the long-wave components
(frequency f <1 Hz) can still make themselves felt at a distance of several hundred
kilometers, particularly in the form of surface waves.
2.2.6 SYMMETRY OF THE HIGH-RISE BUILDING
Symmetric layouts, rigidity and mass distribution lead to a considerably better
seismic response than asymmetric layouts, rigidity and mass distribution. This is
because asymmetric buildings are subjected to stronger torsion (twisting) around the
vertical axis by horizontal seismic loads.
2.2.7 SHAPE OF THE HIGH-RISE BUILDING
When parts of different height are permanently connected to one another as, for
example, is often found in high-rise buildings with atriums, then the various
structures in the building can be subjected to considerable torsional stresses by the
seismic loads. Buildings of different heights can also be subjected to a whole series
of effects in an earthquake, higher buildings were literally jammed in between lower
buildings, thus extensively damaging the floors at the clamping point. In some cases,
the buildings simply buckled over at the edge of the lower adjacent buildings.
Resonance effects can also cause buildings to oscillate so strongly that they hammer
against one another. Another effect observed in high-rise buildings is the soft-storey
effect: due to lobbies, atriums or glazed shopping passages, some floors – usually
near the ground floor – are distinctly “softer” than those above them. These “soft”
floors then collapse in an earthquake.

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2.3 LATERAL LOADS ON HIGH RISE BUILDINGS
From the structural design point of view, due to its height, a high rise building could
be described, as one that is more affected by lateral loads created by wind or
earthquake actions compared to other building types. Thus, loads acting on high rise
buildings are different from those on low rise buildings in terms of accumulation into
much larger structural forces, and the increased importance of wind loading. Wind
loads on a high rise building act not only over a very large surface, but also with
greater amount at the greater heights, and with a larger moment arm than on a low-
rise building.
Even though the wind loads on a low-rise building generally have a minor affect on
the design and structural configuration, they can play a vital role for the selection of
the structural system in a high rise building. Depending upon the mass and shape of
the building, and the region, although, the wind load is very important in the design
of high rise buildings, in seismic regions, inertial loads from the shaking of the
ground also play an important role. Furthermore, in contrast to vertical loads which
can be estimated roughly from previous field observations, lateral loads, namely the
wind and earthquake loads, on buildings are fairly unpredictable, and cannot be
assessed accurately.
2.3.1 NATURE OF WIND
Wind, which is created by temperature differences, could be described as an air
motion, generally applied to the natural horizontal motion of the atmosphere. The
vertical motion, on the other hand, is termed as a current. Air close to the surface of
the earth moves three dimensionally, in which horizontal motion is much greater than
the vertical motion. While the vertical air motion is significant particularly in
meteorology, the horizontal motion is important in engineering. The surface
boundary layer concerning the horizontal motion of wind extends upward to a certain
height above which the horizontal airflow is no longer affected by the ground effect.
Most of the human activity is performed in this boundary layer, and hence how the
wind effects are felt within this zone is of great concern in engineering.

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Wind is a very complex phenomenon owing to the many flow situations resulting
from the interaction of wind and structure. In wind engineering, on the other hand,
simplifications are made to find meaningful predictions of wind behavior by
distinguishing the following features:
• variation of wind speed with height
• turbulent and dynamic nature of wind
• vortex-shedding phenomenon
• cladding pressures
2.3.2 WIND EFFECTS ON HIGH RISE BUILDINGS
The wind is the most powerful and unpredictable force affecting high rise buildings.
High rise building can be defined as a mast anchored in the ground, bending and
swaying in the wind. This movement, known as wind drift, should be kept within
acceptable limits. Moreover, for a well-designed high rise building, the wind drift
should not surpass the height of the building divided by 500. Wind loads on
buildings increase considerably with the increase in building heights. Furthermore,
the speed of wind increases with height, and the wind pressures increase as the
square of the wind speed. Thus, wind effects on a high rise building are compounded
as its height increases. Besides this, with innovations in architectural treatment,
increase in the strengths of materials, and advances in methods of analysis, high rise
building have become more efficient and lighter, and so, more vulnerable to
deflection, and even to swaying under wind loading.
The swaying at the top of a high rise building induced by wind may not be seen by a
passerby, but its effect may be a concern for those occupying the top floors. Unlike
dead loads and live loads, wind loads change rapidly and even abruptly, creating
effects much larger than when the same loads were applied gradually, and that they
limit building accelerations below human perception.

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2.3.3 VARIATION OF WIND SPEED WITH HEIGHT
An important characteristic of wind is the variation of its speed with height
(Fig: 2.2). The wind speed increase follows a curved line varying from zero at the
ground surface to a maximum at some distance above the ground. The height at
which the speed stops to increase is called the gradient height, and the corresponding
speed, the gradient wind speed. This important characteristic of wind is a well
understood phenomenon that higher design pressures are specified at higher
elevations in most building codes.
Additionally, at heights of approximately 366 m from the ground, surface friction has
an almost negligible effect on the wind speed; as such the wind movement is only
depend on the prevailing seasonal and local wind effects. The height through which
the wind speed is affected by the topography is called atmospheric boundary layer.
The wind speed profile within this layer is in the domain of turbulent flow and could
be mathematically calculated.
Fig: 2.2 Variation of wind speed with height.

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2.3.4 TURBULENT AND DYNAMIC NATURE OF WIND
Wind transfers some amount of its energy to the object that it hit on its path. The
measure of the amount or energy transferred is called the gust response factor.
Terrain roughness and variety of the height above ground, affect wind turbulence
(also known as gustiness).Wind loads related with gustiness or turbulence, change
rapidly and even abruptly unlike the mean flow of wind with static characteristic.
Furthermore, the motion of wind is turbulent. Turbulence can be described as, any
movement of air at speeds greater than 0.9 to 1.3 m/s, resulting in random movement
of air particles in all directions. The scale and intensity of turbulence can be related
to the size and rotating speed of eddies (a circular movement of wind) that create the
turbulence. Additionally, the flow of a large mass of air has a larger overall
turbulence than that of a small mass of air. Consequently, from the structural
engineer’s point of view, the wind speed can be considered to include two
components; a mean speed component increasing with height and a turbulent speed
fluctuation.
2.3.5 VORTEX-SHEDDING PHENOMENON
Along wind and across wind are two important terms used to explain the vortex-
shedding phenomenon. Along wind or simply wind is the term used to refer to drag
forces. The across wind response is a motion, which happens on a plane
perpendicular to the direction of wind. When a building is subjected to a wind flow,
the originally parallel wind stream lines are displaced on both transverse sides of the
building (Fig 2.3), and the forces produced on these sides are called vortices.
Fig 2.3 Simplified wind flow

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At low wind speeds, the vortices are shed symmetrically (at the same instant) on
either transverse side of the building (Fig 2.4a), and so building does not vibrate in
the across wind direction.
Fig 2.4 Vortices in different wind speed conditions: (a) vortices in low speed of
wind (there is no vibration in the across wind direction); (b) vortices in high speed of
wind – vortex-shedding phenomenon (there is vibration in the across wind direction)
On the other hand, at higher wind speeds, the vortices are shed alternately first from
one and then from the other side. When this occurs, there is an impulse both in the
along wind and across wind directions. The across wind impulses are, however,
applied alternatively to the left and then to the right. This kind of shedding which
causes structural vibrations in the flow and the across wind direction is called vortex-
shedding, a phenomenon well known in fluid mechanics. This phenomenon of
alternate shedding of vortices for a rectangular high rise building is shown
schematically in Fig: 2.4b.
2.3.6 CLADDING PRESSURES
The cladding design for lateral loads is a very significant subject for architects and
engineers. Even though the broken glass resulting from the exterior cladding failure
may be a less important consideration than the structural collapse during an
earthquake, the cost of replacement and risks for pedestrians require careful
concentration in its design. Wind forces play a major role in glass breakage, also
affected by solar radiation, mullion and sealant details, tempering of the glass, double
or single glazing of glass, and fatigue. Breaking of large panels of glass in high rise
buildings can badly damage the neighboring properties and injure the pedestrians.

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2.4 STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS FOR HIGH RISE BUILDINGS: LATERAL
LOAD RESISTING SYSTEMS
The key idea in conceptualizing the structural system for a slender high rise building
is to think of it as a beam cantilevering from the earth. As a general rule, when other
things being equal, the high rise building more necessary is to identify the proper
structural system for resisting lateral loads, in which the rigidity and stability
requirements are often the dominant factors in the design. Moreover, the selection of
the structural system of a high rise building involves the following factors:
• economic criteria related to the budget of the project;
• function of the building;
• internal planning;
• material and method of construction;
• external architectural treatment;
• planned location and routing of the service systems;
• height and proportions of the building.
Consequently, the effect of lateral loads must be considered from the very beginning
of the design process, and the structural systems need to be developed around
concepts associated entirely with resistance to these load Basically, there are three
main types of buildings: steel buildings, reinforced concrete buildings, and
composite buildings.
2.4.1 STEEL, REINFORCED CONCRETE AND COMPOSITE
HIGH RISE BUILDINGS
Even though the application of steel in structures can be traced back to Bessemers
steelmaking process (1856), its application to high rise structures received its
stimulus from the 300 m high Eiffel Tower (1889). Furthermore, the role of steel
members which used to carry only gravity loads in the early structures, has been
entirely upgraded to include wind and earthquake resistance in systems ranging from
the modest portal frame to innovative systems involving outrigger systems, interior
and exterior braced frames, and like. Today, structural steel could be utilized in a
variety of structures from low-rise parking areas to 100-story high skyscrapers.

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Most of the high rise buildings in the world have steel structural system, due to its
high strength-to-weight ratio, ease of assembly and economy in transport to the site,
availability of various strength levels, and wider selection of sections. Innovative
framing systems and modern design methods, improved fire protection, corrosion
resistance, fabrication, and erection techniques combined with the advanced
analytical techniques made possible by computers, have also permitted the use of
steel in just any rational structural system for high rise buildings.
Although concrete as a structural material has been known since early times, the
practical use of reinforced concrete was only introduced in 1867. The invention of
reinforced concrete increased the significance and use of concrete in the construction
industry to a great extent. Particularly, because of its moldability characteristics, and
natural fireproof property, architects and engineers utilize the reinforced concrete to
shape the building, and its elements in different and elegant forms. Besides this,
when compared to steel, reinforced concrete high rise buildings have better damping
ratios contributing to minimize motion perception and heavier concrete structures
offer improved stability against wind loads. Moreover, high strength concrete and
lightweight structural concrete allow using smaller member sizes and less steel
reinforcement. All high rise buildings can be considered as composite buildings since
it is impossible to construct a functional building by using only steel or concrete.
In this study, buildings having reinforced concrete beams, columns, and shear walls
are accepted as reinforced concrete (or concrete) buildings, and in the same way,
buildings having steel beams, columns and bracings are accepted as steel buildings.
Namely, the frame and bracing or shear walls – but not the floor slabs – are the
determining parameters for the building type. A concrete column became more
economical than a pure steel column thanks to the introduction of high and ultra-
high-strength concrete with compressive strength up to 181MPa in 1960. Besides the
economic feature, moldability, high stiffness and insulating, and fire-resisting quality
of concrete, have all contributed to realize its structural combination with steel which
has merits of high strength-to-weight ratio especially for seismic zones, fast
construction, long span capacity, ease of assembly and field work.

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Both steel and concrete constructions have advantages and drawbacks. Moreover,
without composite construction, many of our contemporary high rise buildings may
never have been constructed in their present form today. On the other hand, here, the
term composite system means any and all combinations of steel and reinforced
concrete elements and is considered synonymous with other definitions such as
mixed systems, hybrid systems, etc. The classification of structural systems of high
rise buildings are:
• Frame (rigid frame) systems;
• Braced frame and shear walled frame systems;
• Outrigger - belt truss systems;
• Framed tube systems;
• Braced (exterior braced) systems;
• Bundled tube systems.
2.5 INSTALLATION OF SERVICE SYSTEMS
The installation for air-conditioning, ventilation, lighting and fire alarms are usually
located between the load-bearing ceiling and a suspended false ceiling into which the
lamps are normally integrated. Small-scale electrical installations are contained in
trucking in the screed flooring. Cables can then be routed as desired in the space
below the floor; the equipment is connected to sockets in so-called floor tanks. False
floors are to be found almost everywhere in modern houses, since cables can be
rerouted without difficulty, as is increasingly required on account of the rapid pace of
change in office and communications technology. Moreover, the space below the
floor can also be used for ventilation and air-conditioning installations.
Particular attention must be paid to the question of fire protection in such false floor
constructions. Connection of the flexible partition walls to both the suspended ceiling
and the elevated false floor can pose problems. From the point of view of
soundproofing and thermal insulation, it would be better to install high rise the
partition walls between the load-bearing floors.

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However, since the suspended ceilings and false floors normally extend over the
entire area and are not confined to any single room on account of the technical
installations, the partition walls must also be fitted between the suspended ceiling
and false floor. This consequently makes it necessary to use soundproofing and
thermally insulating floor coverings, as well as ceiling materials. Facade elements
into which technical components have already been incorporated by the
manufacturer are conveniently linked to the remaining network by means of screw-in
and plug-in connections.
However, it is becoming increasingly rare for such technical service connections to
be installed in the external walls, as they do not permit as flexible use of the room as
floor tanks. Due to the relatively small area available per floor, fire resistant elements
(fire walls) are usually only to be found in the core areas incorporating the elevators,
stairwells, service and installation shafts, sanitary and ancillary rooms. A vertical
breakdown into fire compartments is mostly obtained with the aid of fire-resistant
floor
2.5.1 ENERGY AND WATER SUPPLY
Unlike the case with normal multi-storey buildings, the technical service components
in high rise buildings must meet special requirements if only on account of the
height, since the required supply of energy, water and air and the effluent volume are
incomparably larger. These utilities must also be transported to the very last floor in
sufficient quantities, under adequate pressure and at sometimes to tally different
temperatures. The planning effort required on the part of the service engineers
responsible for the supply and disposal services in high-rise buildings is therefore
very much greater than in the case of smaller and medium sized projects. The
pressure load on the individual components is reduced through subdivision into
several pressure stages with technical service centres in the basement or on the
ground floor, on intermediate floors and on the roof.

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2.5.2 VENTILATION AND AIR-CONDITIONING
The systems should be designed in such a way as to ensure flexible division of the
areas (large rooms, individual rooms) so that their use can subsequently be changed
without extensive conversions. A variety of ventilation and air-conditioning systems
can be installed, depending on the purpose for which the building is used. The high-
rise headquarters of the Deutsche Bank in Frankfurt am Main, for instance, is
supplied by a two-channel
high-pressure system in
which the air is injected
from above and
discharged through
corresponding exhaust air
windows. A second,
independent two-channel
high-pressure system
additionally blows air into
the rooms from the false
floors. Fig 2.5 Ventilation and Air-conditioning system
In principle, all air-conditioning and ventilation systems must meet the same basic
requirements:
• The air in the room must be continuously renewed (at three to six fold
exchange of air is normally required per hour).
• The outside air flow must be guaranteed with a minimum fresh air flow of 30
to 60 m3/h per person.
• The risk of drafts must be minimized and any nuisance due to the
transmission of sound eliminated.
• It must be possible to shut off individual plant segments when the
corresponding parts of the building are not in use.

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2.5.3 SANITATION
Pressure stages are also required for the sanitation, thus permitting the use of smaller
pumps. Sanitary dispensing points must additionally be isolated from the building as
such for soundproofing reasons. The internal heat loads (e.g. hot exhaust air, exhaust
heat from refrigeration systems) accumulated in high-rise buildings are commonly
used to heat water with the aid of heat pumps or heat recovery systems. Studies
shown that the height does not have any effect on the flow rate and rate of fall, since
fiscal matter and effluent do not simply drop to the ground under the force of gravity,
but more or less wind their way downwards along the pipe walls.
2.5.4 CONTROL SYSTEMS
Today’s complex, ultra-modern control systems are primarily based on intelligent
digital controllers. This technology permits a direct link between DDC (direct digital
control) substations and the centralized instrumentation and control which also takes
over energy management functions, such as:
• Optimization of the overnight and weekend temperature reduction,
• Linking the heating of service water with re-cooling of the refrigeration
system, operation of the external blinds.
•
Fig 2.6 Control system

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2.6 FIRE FIGHTING
Fire is one of the greatest risks for every building and particularly for high-rise
buildings. Due to the spectacular photographs and film sequences shown in the
media, major fires have always made – and will continue to make – headline news
not only during the construction phase, but above all during the occupancy phase.
2.6.1. FIRE FIGHTER ACCESSIBILITY
It is important for emergency personnel (e.g. firefighters, paramedics, police) to be
able to access a building quickly in the event of an emergency. In addition, these
personnel cannot be expected to scale all floors through stairwells. This need gets
back to the elevator systems. The tower has service elevators that run higher than
local passenger elevators. In fact, one of these service elevators runs over the tower.
These are very fast, and are configured to override the local elevators to allow for the
quickest and easiest transfers. The elevators themselves are fire/smoke resistant.
With these, it makes accessing the building a relatively painless process.
2.6.2 OCCUPANT EVACUATION
Occupant evacuation is the concern of any building; however, it poses a special
challenge given the height of the high rise buildings. With the tremendous climb,
occupants will need information on the situation, mechanical assistance to speed the
process, and stairwells and safe zones in the event of mechanical failures. It is
important to note that most crises the building will experience will not require full
building evacuation. However, when lives are at stake, it is still important to be sure
that it is possible.
2.6.3. AREAS OF REFUGE
The tower design includes strategically placed areas of refuge which allow for better
controlled evacuation. Represented in Fig: 2.7, the typical area of refuge will have
fire rated exit stairs closed off by doors to counter the spread of smoke. Building
employees will be trained to direct and instruct evacuees. Also, the areas of refuge
are designed to connect to various stairwells.

27
This means that occupants can be directed down the safest path, and will almost
never be trapped. As usual, the areas of refuge are encased in fire resistant concrete,
are well ventilated, and can be lit by emergency lights.
Fig: 2.7 Typical design for area of Refuge
2.6.4 FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
Hand-operated fire extinguishers must be installed at clearly marked and generally
accessible points in high-rise buildings in order to fight incipient fires. These
extinguishers are intended for use by the building’s residents. However, teams should
be present on every floor made up of the people who work and live there; they must
then be instructed on what to do if a fire breaks out and also be familiarized with the
use of these hand-operated fire extinguishers.
2.6.5 FIRE-FIGHTING WATER
The cases outlined above have shown how important it is to have an effective supply
of fire fighting water when combating a fire in a high-rise building. So that the
firemen can start to fight the fire as soon as they arrive on the scene, wet risers must
be installed in every stairwell or in their vicinity and a wall hydrant with hose line
connected to these risers on every floor. The hoses must be sufficiently long to direct
fire-fighting water to every point on that floor.

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An adequately dimensioned water line and adequate water pressure must be ensured
when planning and designing the building. In very high buildings, booster systems
must be installed in the wet risers to increase the water pressure. Whether the water
for fire-fighting can be taken from the public mains or from separate water reservoirs
or tanks must be decided in each individual instance in accordance with local
conditions and regulations. For greater safety, it may be useful to install not only wet
risers, but also dry risers into which the fire brigade can feed water at the required
pressure from the ground floor.
2.6.6 SPRINKLERS
An automatic sprinkler system is the most effective protective measure for fighting
and controlling a fire in a high-rise building. Care must be taken to ensure that the
complete building is protected by such sprinklers. In the cases outlined above, there
were either no sprinklers at all or no activated sprinklers on the burning floors. Based
on past experience, the installation of sprinkler systems is in many countries
prescribed by law for high-rise buildings from a certain height onwards – as from 60
m in Germany, for example. In some cases, the statutory regulations even stipulate
that sprinklers have to be installed retroactively in high-rise buildings erected before
the regulations came into force.
Fig: 2.8 Automatic Sprinkler System

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Automatic sprinkler systems throughout the building are important since they must
fight a fire as early as possible and must either extinguish the fire directly or keep it
under control until the fire brigade arrives to finish off the job. However, a sprinkler
system will normally be unable to control a fire in full flame, for instance if it leaps
from a floor with no sprinklers to one with sprinklers. Sprinkler systems are simply
not dimensioned to cope with such developments.
Sprinkler systems must meet the following requirements:
• They must rapidly control a fire in the fire compartment in which it breaks out;
• They must limit the emission and spread of flames, hot fumes and smoke, they
must trigger an alarm in the building, preferably also indicating to the central
control panel where the seat of the fire is located, the alert must be forwarded to
the fire brigade or other auxiliary forces.
• The ability of the system to indicate to the central control panel where the seat of
the fire is located presupposes that a separate sprinkler system with an alarm
valve is assigned to each floor and to each fire compartment. As already
mentioned in connection with fire-detection systems, the installation of an
automatic fire-detection system in addition to the sprinkler system is advisable so
that fires can be discovered and signaled more quickly. Sprinkler systems must
be installed in accordance with the applicable directives or standards, the best
known of which include NFPA, CEA, FOC and VdS. All the components used
for installation must comply with the relevant standards.
The various directives and standards permit a variety of solutions with regard to the
water supply:
Water supply from the public mains – possibly via an intermediate tank on the
ground – via booster pumps on the ground to supply several groups of floors with
different pressure levels intermediate tanks on various upper floors, under either
normal pressure or excess pressure, to supply the sprinkler groups above or below
deep tanks and pressurized tanks on the roof, as well as intermediate tanks in the
middle of the building, to supply the sprinklers below with static or high pressure
Tanks on upper floors can be replenished via low-capacity pumps.

30
Depending on the type of supply selected, it may be necessary to install rise pressure-
reducing valves on the individual floors. For a sprinkler system to operate smoothly,
it must not only be correctly installed and set, but also be regularly inspected and
serviced by specialist personnel.
2.6.7 OTHER EQUIPMENT
Other automatic fire-fighting equipment may be appropriate for certain systems in a
high-rise building, such as transformers, electrical switchgear and control rooms,
computer centers and telephone switchboards.
2.7 NET CASE STUDY
2.7.1 BURJ KHALIFA, DUBAI
Architect: SOM (skidmore owings merill) London based Firm
A mixed use development which has office, retail, hotels and residential spaces. The
Burj Khalifa was revealed to be 828m (2,716ft) high, far high riser than the previous
record holder, Taipei 101. With a total built-up area of about 6 million sq ft, Burj
Khalifa features nearly 2 million sq ft of residential space and over 300,000 sq ft of
prime office space, in addition to the area occupied by Armani Hotel Dubai and the
Armani Residences. The tower also lays claim to the highest occupied floor, the high
riseest service lift, and the world's highest observation deck on the 124th floor. The
world's highest mosque and swimming pool will meanwhile be located on the 158th
and 76th floors.
Bhurj Dubai includes 163 habitable
floors plus 46 maintenance levels
and 9 parking levels in the
basement. The tapering spire is
made out of reinforced concrete,
steel, stainless steel and glass.
Fig: 2.9 Burj Kalifa, Dubai

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The exterior cladding of reflective glazing is designed to withstand Dubai's extreme
summer temperatures. The building contains more than 1,000 apartments and 49
floors of office space, served by 57 lifts. There are a total of four swimming pools
and a private library and 160-room hotel. The foundations were dug to depths of 50m
(164 ft).
2.7.2 CONCEPT
The architects incorporated islamic traditional patterns and modern sophistication to
design a structure that will stand the test of time.
Organic and desert Influence:
The hymenocallis desert flower was the main source of inspiration for the architects.
The design not only reduces wind forces on the building, but also allows each tenant
to have an incredible view of the surrounds
From the top of the structure the islamic design influences can clearly been seen,
Including the use of arches and other architectural structures
Fig: 2.10 Concept behind Burj Kalifa

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1. The architecture features a triple-lobed footprint, an abstraction of the
hymenocallis flower.
2. The tower composed of three elements around central core.
3. The modular, Y-shaped structure, with setbacks along each of its three wings
provides an inherently stable configuration for the structure and provides good
floor plates for residential
Fig: 2.10 Concept behind Burj Kalifa
Twenty-six helical levels decrease the cross section of the tower incrementally as it
spirals skyward. The central core emerges at the top and culminates in a sculpted
spire. A Y-shaped floor plan maximizes views of the Arabian Gulf.
2.7.3 FOUNDATION
The superstructure is supported by a large reinforced concrete mat, which is in turn
supported by bored reinforced concrete piles. The mat is 3.7 meters thick, and was
constructed in four separate pours totaling 12,500 cubic meters of concrete. The
minimum centre-to-centre spacing of the piles for the tower is 2.5 times the pile
diameter. The 1.5 meter diameter x 43 meter long piles represent the largest and
longest piles conventionally available in the region.

33
A high density, low permeability concrete was used in the foundations, as well as a
cathodic protection system under the mat, to minimize any detrimental effects form
corrosive chemicals in local ground water. It is founded on a 3.7m thick raft
supported on bored piles, 1.5 m in diameter, extending approximately 50m below the
base of the raft.
Fig: 2.11 Type of Foundation
2.7.3.1 PODIUM
The Podium provides a base anchoring the tower to the ground, allowing on grade
access from three different sides to three different levels of the building. Fully glazed
entry pavilions constructed with a suspended cable-net structure provide separate
entries for the corporate suites at B1 and Concourse levels, the Burj Khalifa
residences at ground level and the Armani Hotel at Level 1.
Fig: 2.12 Podium

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2.7.3.2 STRUCTURAL SYSTEM
• The structure is modular in nature with a central hexagonal shaft or core and
three branches that spread out at 120 degrees from each other.
• Attached to these branches are wall like columns at 9 meter spacing that simply
drop off as each leg sets back, avoiding complex and costly structural transfers.
• In addition to its aesthetic and functional advantages, the spiraling “Y” shaped
plan was utilized to shape the structural core of Burj Khalifa.
• This design helps to reduce the wind forces on the tower, as well as to keep the
structure simple and foster constructability.
• The structural system can be described as a “buttressed core”, and consists of
high performance concrete wall construction. Each of the wings buttress the
others via a six-sided central core, or hexagonal hub.
• This central core provides the torsional resistance of the structure, similar to a
closed pipe or axle. Corridor walls extend from the central core to near the end of
each wing, terminating in thickened hammer head walls.
• These corridor walls and hammerhead walls behave similar to the webs and
flanges of a beam to resist the wind shears and moments. Perimeter columns and
flat plate floor construction complete the system.
• The setbacks are organized with the tower’s grid, such that the building stepping
is accomplished by aligning columns above with walls below to provide a
smooth load path. As such, the tower does not contain any structural transfers.
• These setbacks also have the advantage of
providing a different width to the tower for
each differing floor plate. This stepping
and shaping of the tower has the effect of
“confusing the wind”: Wind vortices never
get organized over the height of the
building because at each new tier the wind
encounters a different building shape.
Fig: 2.13 Structural system

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2.7.4 FLOOR PLANS
2.7.4.1 VERTICAL ZONING
Fig: 2.14 Vertical Zoning

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2.7.4.2 TYPE OF FLOOR PLANS
1. GROUND FLOOR PLAN
Fig: 2.15 Ground floor plan
2. BASEMENT PARKING PLAN
Fig: 2.16 Basement parking plan

37
3. HOTEL FLOOR PLAN
Fig: 2.17 Hotel floor plan
4. RESIDENTIAL FLOOR PLAN
Fig: 2.18 Residential floor plan

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5. TYPES OF RESIDENTIAL UNITS PLANS
Fig: 2.19 Types of Residential units plan

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6. OFFICE FLOOR PLAN
Fig: 2.20 Office floor plan
2.7.4.3 COMMUNICATION FLOORS
The top four floors have been reserved for communications and broadcasting. These
floors occupy the levels just below the spire.
Fig: 2.21 Communication floors

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2.7.4.4 MECHANICAL FLOORS
Seven double-storey height mechanical
floors house the equipment that bring
Burj Khalifa to life.
Distributed around every 30 storeys, the
mechanical floors house the electrical
sub-stations, water tanks and pumps, air-
handling units etc, that are essential for
the operation of the tower and the
comfort of its occupants.
2.7.4.5 OBSERVATION DECK
An outdoor observation deck, named At the Top, opened on 5 January 2010 on the
124th floor. At 452 m (1,483 ft), it was the highest observation deck. Burj Khalifa
opened the 148th floor SKY level at 555 m (1,821 ft), once again giving it the
highest observation deck in the world on 15 October 2014.
Fig: 2.22 Mechanical floors
Fig: 2.23 Aerial view from Observation deck

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2.7.4.6 SPIRAL
The crowning touch of Burj
Khalifa is its telescopic spire
comprised of more than 4,000 tons
of structural steel. The spire was
constructed from inside the
building and jacked to its full
height of over 200 metres (700
feet) using a hydraulic pump. The
spire also houses communications
equipment.
2.7.5 EXTERIOR CLADDING
The exterior cladding is comprised of reflective
glazing with aluminum and textured stainless steel
spandrel panels and stainless steel vertical tubular
fins.
Close to 26,000 glass panels, each individually hand-
cut, were used.
The cladding system is designed to withstand Dubai's
extreme summer heat.
Fig: 2.24 Spiral
Fig: 2.25 Exterior Cladding

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2.7.5.1 CLEANING
Cleaning of Burj is met by using custom made Building Maintenance Units [BMU].
While the pinnacle is reserved for specialised rope technicians. With al 18 BMU’S in
operation, the façade will take two to three months to clean.
2.7.6 SERVICES
Seven double-storey mechanical floors house the equipment that bring Burj
Khalifa to life.
Distributed around every 30 storeys, the mechanical floors house the electrical
sub-stations, water tanks, pumps and air handling units that are essential for the
running of the building.
These mechanical areas typically serve the 15 floors above and below them.
MEP operations are managed by a central BMS, with local control panels in each
plant room, all connected by fibre-optic cabling.
2.7.6.1 PLUMBING SERVICES
The Burj Khalifa's water system supplies an average of 946,000 L
(250,000 US gal) of water per day through 100 km (62 mi) of pipes.
An additional 213 km (132 mi) of piping serves the fire emergency system, and
34 km (21 mi) supplies chilled water for the air conditioning system.
The waste water system uses gravity to discharge water from plumbing fixtures,
floor drains, mechanical equipment and storm water, to the city municipal sewer.
Fig: 2.26 Cleaning System

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2.7.6.2 ELECTRICITY
The tower's peak electrical demand is 36mW, equal to about 360,000 100 Watt
bulbs operating simultaneously.
2.7.6.3 AIR CONDITIONING
The air conditioning system draws air from the upper floors where the air is
cooler and cleaner than on the ground.
At peak cooling times, the tower's cooling is equivalent to that provided by
13,000 short tons (26,000,000 lb) of melting ice in one day,or about 46 MW.
The condensate collection system, which uses the hot and humid outside air,
combined with the cooling requirements of the building, results in a significant
amount of condensation of moisture from the air.
The condensed water is collected and drained into a holding tank located in the
basement car park; this water is then pumped into the site irrigation system for
use on the Burj Khalifa park.
2.7.6.4 ELEVATORS
Burj Khalifa is home to 57 elevators and
8 escalators the building service/fireman's
elevator have a capacity of 5,500 kg and
is the world's high riseest service
elevator.
Burj Khalifa is the first mega-high rise in
which certain elevators are programmed
to permit controlled evacuation for
certain fire or security events.
Burj Khalifa's observatory elevators are
double deck cabs with a capacity for 12-
14 people/ cab.Traveling at 10 m/s.
Fig: 2.27 Elevators

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2.7.6.5 SKY LOBBIES
The Burj Khalifa features distinct sections: residential apartments, serviced
apartments and hotel rooms, and corporate offices. Elevators have been arranged
in zones to serve these different audiences, with ‘sky lobby’ system.
The sky lobby is an intermediate floor where residents, guests and executives will
change from an express elevator to a local elevator, which stops at every floor
within a certain segment of the building.
Burj Khalifa’s sky lobbies are located on level 43, 76 and 123 and will include a
lounge area and kiosk, amongst other amenities.
2.7.7 FIRE SAFETY
Concrete surrounds all stairwells and the
building service and fireman's elevator will
have a capacity of 5,500 kg and will be the
world's high tallest service elevator.
There are pressurized, air-conditioned refuge
areas located approximately every 25 floors.
First Application of “Lifeboat” evacuations
Refuge levels: 42,75,111 & 138
10 elevators available for emergency
evacuations
Fig: 2.28 Fire Safety Elevators

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2.7.8 LANDSCAPE
The park's 11 hectares of greenery and water features serve as both entry to Burj
Khalifa and outdoor living space. The landscape design includes three distinct areas
to serve each of tower's three uses: hotel, residential and office space. The main entry
drive is circled with a palm court, water features, outdoor spaces and a forest grove
above. The grand terrace features garden spaces, all-around pedestrian circulation,
custom site furnishings, a functional island and a lake edge promenade.
The landscape design includes six major water features: the main entry fountain,
hotel entry fountain, residential entry fountain, the grand water terrace, children's
fountain pool and the sculptural fountain. The plants and the shrubbery will be
watered by the building’s condensation collection system that uses water from the
cooling system. The system will provide 68,000,000 L annually. Spectacular stone
paving patterns welcome visitors at each entry.
Fig: 2.29 Landscape Aerial View
Fig: 2.30 Stone Paving Patterns

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2.7.9 INFERENCES
The Burj is not only the tallest building in the world, it’s also home to the highest
observation deck, swimming pool, elevator, restaurant, and fountain in the world.
Once at the top, visitors can enjoy temperatures that are nearly 15 degrees cooler
than at the building’s base.
Burj dubai has no helipad.
All windows were fixed windows, no scope for natural ventilation

47
2.8 LIVE STUDY
2.8.1 UB CITY, BANGALORE
Architect: Thomas Associates, Pune
UB City is the biggest luxury commercial property project in Bangalore, India. It is
built on 13 acres (53,000 m2) of land and hosts 1,000,000 sq ft (93,000 m2) of high-
end commercial, retail and service apartment space. UB City has four towers namely,
UB Tower (19 Floors), Comet (11 Floors), Canberra (17 Floors) and Concorde (19
Floors).
Centrally located in the CBD (Central
Business District), on the corner of Kasturba
road and Vittal Mallya Road, it is just 1.8kms
away from M.G. Road - Brigade road
junction.
UB City is one of the largest mixed-use
development projects in Bangalore. UB City
sprawls over a campus of 7 acres of which a
third of it is reserved for landscaped gardens.
UB CITY will house the UB Group offices
under one roof in the UB Tower. 'Concorde'
& 'Canberra' will have retail space on the
lower floors and office space in the higher
levels, while 'Comet' will have service
apartments. The campus will house
commercial offices, banks, high-end retail
stores, serviced apartments, restaurants, food
courts, pubs, health clubs and cafes.
Multi-level parking areas will offer virtually unlimited parking spaces. Also on the
blueprint is an amphitheater with food courts and landscaped gardens. UB CITY will
provide parking space for over 1,100 cars.
Fig: 2.31 Night View of UB City, Bangalore

48
High Performance Products glass were used in the facade to achieve the twin
functions of abundant light transmission and lower Relative heat gain. In order to
ensure that traffic within UB CITY's sprawling seven acres and is properly regulated,
a traffic consultant has been specially hired.
UB
CONCORDE
CANBERRA
Fig: 2.32 Aerial View
Fig: 2.31 Night View of UB City, Bangalore

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An elevated roof top helipad will provide a five minute aerial commute to the airport.
Four storeys of multi level parking, in addition to one common basement for the
entire UB City and extensive surface level car parks, will provide UB City the
remarkable prospect of offering virtually unlimited car parking space.
2.8.1.1 CONCORDE/CANBERA BLOCK
Fig: 2.33 Site plan

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2.8.2 UB TOWER
UB Group will shift all its corporate offices to this tower on your left, "UB Tower".
The Chairman has his luxurious penthouse which is a closely guarded secret.
Fig: 2.34 UB Tower
Fig: 2.35 UB Tower typical floor plan

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2.8.3 CONCORDE BLOCK
The splendid tower to your right is the "Concorde". The lower floors of this tower
will be destination for retailers and the upper floors reserved for corporate offices.
Fig: 2.36 Concorde block
Fig: 2.37 Concorde block typical floor plan

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2.8.4 CANBERRA BLOCK
This tower on your left, is the "Canberra". Once again lower floors are reserved for
retailers and upper floors are marked for commercial office space.
Fig: 2.38 Canberra block
Fig: 2.39 Canberra block floor plan

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2.8.5 COMET BLOCK
The magnificent building (below) is the "Comet" and in line with Mallya's reputation
of Rich and Famous, will host Marriott International, Luxurious Serviced
Apartments, High-End retail stores and a world class pub. Comet also has a Helipad.
Fig: 2.40 Comet block
Fig: 2.41 Comet block typical floor plan

55
High Performance Products glass were used in the facade to achieve the twin
functions of abundant light transmission and lower Relative heat gain.
Fig: 2.42 Exterior cladding
Fig: 2.43 Bridge connecting
Canberra and Concorde block

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2.8.6 SERVICES
2.8.6.1 RETAIL SPACE
The retail space is being designed as a luxury mall, using elements of Mediterranean
architecture.
Fig: 2.44 View of Retail space

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2.8.6.2 AMPHI THEATRE
Also an amphi theater with food courts and landscaped gardens.
Fig: 2.45 View of Amphi Theatre, Food court and Landscape garden

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2.8.6.3 ROOF TOP RESTAURANT
It also has an eye-catching pinnacle right on top which puts the building's total height
at 128 metres, making it one of the high riseest structures in the city
2.8.6.4 PARKING SPACE
One common basement for the entire UB City and extensive surface level car parks,
will provide UB City the remarkable prospect of offering virtually unlimited car
parking space.
UB CITY will provide parking space for over 1100 cars. In order to ensure that
traffic within UB CITY's sprawling seven acres and is properly regulated, a traffic
consultant has been specially hired.
Fig: 2.46 Night view of Roof top restaurant

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Fig: 2.47 View of Parking area

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2.8.6.5 WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM
Water Supply is thro the pressurised booster pump.100 % generator service for all
blocks Building is tohigh risey controlled by BMS system.
Fig: 2.48 Water supply system

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2.8.6.6 ROOFING SYSTEM
Coffer slab are designed to achieve large span.
2.8.7 INFERENCES
• The spaces should have both aesthetic and functional value.
• Ventilation is another important aspect of the design. Importance to Natural
ventilation is not given.
• When there is level difference, we should always provide comfort slopes to the
roads. Too much steps for connecting different levels are not desirable.
Fig: 2.49 View of Coffer slab

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2.9 LITERATURE STUDY
2.9.1 CAMBRIDGE CITY HALL – GREEN WALL CASE STUDY
Cambridge City Hall is the largest capital project in the municipality’s history and is
setting the pace for Canadian building experts. It’s the first city hall in Canada to
achieve the ranking of gold in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
(LEED®) from the Canada Green Building Council. And it has revitalized the
downtown and become the integral piece that joins together the Civic Square as a
community meeting place. “Building green and sustainable buildings for our public
infrastructure is going to be
fundamental to our ability to
address the challenges of
climate change and in reducing
our greenhouse gas emissions,”
remarked Gerretsen. The
building incorporates features
of sustainable design and is the
wave of the future in the field
of architecture.
The focal point of the atrium is a “living wall” of tropical plants that cleanse the air
of pollutants such as formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds, dust, and spores.
Designed by Dr. Allan Darlington of Nedlaw, it’s all about healthy environment and
the plant wall has a running water supply behind it which provides humidity during
the winter months, and the soothing sounds all year long. The open concept allows
for greater air flow, reducing cooling costs and increasing the penetration of natural
light to offset other light sources.
A semi-intensive, 135-metre-squared, green roof with plants and shrubs. Over 3,000
plants in the building – a natural biofilter. A 10,000-litre cistern collects rainfall
which is recycled for toilets. Seventy-five per cent of the building has natural light
available, which makes it easy to work without supplementing lights.
Fig: 2.50 Cambridge City hall

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2.9.2 THE LIVING WALL AT CLUB MONACo : AN URBAN
BIOFILTRATION CASE STUDY
The number of office buildings in the heart of Canada's largest city have become
involved in an exciting new "eco-engineering" application. Over the past three years,
Canada Life, Panasonic and the Club Monaco clothing chain have each had a self-
sustaining ecosystem or "breathing wall" installed in their Toronto headquarters. Far
from a few token plants, these ecosystems are complex combinations of water, rock,
frogs, fish, insects and over 400 species of plant life. Besides its aesthetic value, the
breathing wall also serves a very practical purpose: It acts as a biofilter, removing
contaminants from the air and then circulating clean air through the office naturally.
In the breathing wall, water flows over a lava rock wall covered by moss and other
plants, then into a small pond. Contaminants in the air are absorbed by the vegetation
and consumed by microorganisms in the soil. Any excess waste is carried to the
pond, where it is eaten by fish, frogs or insects.
"Everything acts as a filter," explains Amelung, and
studies conducted by Guelph University confirm the
biofilter's success. Genetron's latest project is a 40-
foot-square installation at the Toronto offices of Club
Monaco. Employees of the club had complained of
frequent headaches, red eyes and lethargy, signs of
"sick building syndrome." Club Monaco CEO Joe
Miriam says there was a noticeable improvement in
air quality shortly after the installation opened.
"Not only did the air smell sweeter, but I also noticed a higher energy level among
the staff," he says. "The plants helped increase the humidity and eliminate the
dryness common to office buildings." The goal of the design was to develop a
building from the inside out, from the individual working environment to the overall
complex structure of the building. Largely due to the collaboration of the design
team, developer, client, and construction team, this led to an environment friendly,
highly communicative, and innovative signature building.
Fig: 2.51 Club Monaco

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2.10 SPECIAL STUDY
2.10.1 BIOCLIMATIC SKY SCRAPPER
Bioclimatic architecture - connection with nature, it is about a building that takes
into account the climate and environmental conditions to favor thermal comfort
inside. This architecture seeks perfect cohesion between design and natural elements
(such as the sun, wind, rain and vegetation), leading us to an optimization of
resources.
The main principles of this architecture are:
The consideration of the weather, hydrography and ecosystems of the
environment in which buildings are built for maximum performance with the
least impact.
The efficacy and moderation in the use of construction materials, giving priority
to low energy content compared to high energy.
The reduction of energy consumption for heating, cooling, lighting and
equipment, covering the remainder of the claim with renewable energy sources.
The minimization of the building overall energy balance, covering the design,
construction, use and end of its life.
Ken Yaeng has developed the bioclimatic principles into design solutions for
skyscrapers. The way in which these principles are applied to the skyscraper designs
are as follows:
2.10.1.1 SERVICE CORE POSITIONS
The core position affects the structural design and the thermal performance of the
bioclimatic skyscraper. Yeang identifies two core types - central core, double sided
core.

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The double core is preferable in the tropics with the cores on the east and west side
of the building. That is, on the elevations receiving most solar gain. In this position
the cores provide a buffer zone.
2.10.1.2 LIFT LOBBIES, STAIRWAYS AND TOILET POSITIONS
If on the periphery of the building the lobbies, toilets
and stairways can be naturally ventilated and have a
view to outside then this is where they should be
located. Thus saving on mechanical ventilation and
artificial lightiug.
2.10.1.3 BUILDING ORIENTATION
High rise buildings are exposed to the full impact of
external temperatures and radiant heat. The longest
elevation should therefore face the direction of least
solar irradiation. This will reduce the air conditioning
load.
Fig: 2.52 Service core position
Fig: 2.53 Stairways position

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2.10.1.4 WINDOW OPENINGS
Window openings should also be on the elevations with least solar radiation. Solar
shading is required on the elevation receiving most solar. (In temperate zones
balconies or recesses on the elevations receiving the least solar can act as 'sun spaces'
and collect solar heat. )
2.10.1.5 DEEP RECESSES
Deep recesses can provide shading to sides of the building receiving the most heat.
Altematively if the window is recessed skycourts or balconies can be formed to
provide a flexible space.
Fig: 2.54 Window Orientations

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2.10.1.6 BUILDING PLAN
The building plan should incorporate both the culture and work style of the place. It
should allow air movement through the building and allow sunlight in to the
building. In the tropics the ground floor should be naturally ventilated and make a
connection to the street by being open to the outside.
Fig: 2.55 Deep recesses
Fig: 2.56 Building orientation

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2.10.1.7 PLANTING AND LANDSCAPING
Yeang states that plants should be used because of their ability to cool the
environment and not just because of their aesthetic or 'ecological' qualities. Planting
as vertical landscaping will provide benefit to the surroundings by absorbing carbon
dioxide and generating oxygen.
2.10.1.8 SOLAR SHADING
Solar shading is essential for all glazing facing the sun. In the tropics this is essential
all year round and in the temperate regions it is essential in the summer months.
2.10.1.9 NATURAL VENTILATION
Good air circulation is essential for maintaining comfort in a building. Cross
ventilation allows fresh air in and exhaust air out. Air and wind flow in to the internal
spaces are encouraged by wind scoops, side vents, Skycourts, atriums and
transitional spaces.
2.10.2 GREEN ROOFS : GREEN OUTER
Incorporating Green plants into the skyscrapers has some design possibilities. There
are two options for building to make it green. Plants can be integrate at outside and at
inside. For outside, it can be done on roofs, outer vertical walls and for inside, it can
be a living wall or biofilter, or potted plants placed in atriums, indoor rooms to act as
a pocket of green patch into these vertical cities.
An aerial view of most urban areas shows swathes of asphalt, black tar and gravel-
ballasted rooftops. Heat radiates off of the dark roofs, and water rushes over the hard,
impermeable surfaces. Studies shows that most traditional dark colored roof surface
absorb 70% or more the solar energy striking them, resulting in peak roof
temperature of 65-88 degree Centigrade. These heat absorption and monotony of
these common roofs can be break though green roof tops.

69
Green rooftops have begun to appeal to homeowners, businesses and even cities as
an attractive way to promote environmentalism while solving the problems of
conventional roofs. Green roofs supplement traditional vegetation without disrupting
urban infrastructure – to take a neglected space and make it useful. The term "green
roof" is generally used to represent an innovative yet established approach to urban
design that uses living materials to make the urban environment more livable,
efficient, and sustainable. Other common terms used to describe this approach are
eco roofs, and vegetated roofs. Green Roof Technology (GRT) is the system that is
used to implement green roofs on a building.
Green roofs replace the vegetated footprint that was destroyed when the building was
constructed. The concept of rooftop gardens is introduced with the aim of reducing
heat gain into a building and modifying the ambient conditions through
photosynthesis and evapotranspiration of plants. Results from several studies suggest
that rooftop gardens can effectively cool down the immediate ambient environment
by 1.5 [degrees] C. Generally, the surface temperature readings collected from the
rooftop garden were found to be lower than that recorded on a barren concrete
rooftop. This shows that the thermal insulation of a building is improved in the
presence of plants. High relative humidity (RH) at the rooftop garden was also
observed due to the presence of plants. To prevent discomfort due to high humidity,
adequate natural ventilation should be ensured.
Fig: 2.57 Roof top Gardens

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Green roofs are constructed using components that:
• have the strength to bear the added weight;
• seal the roof against penetration by water, water vapour, and roots;
• retain enough moisture for the plants to survive periods of low precipitation,
yet are capable of draining excess moisture when required
• provide soil-like substrate material to support the plants;
• maintain a sustainable plant cover, appropriate for the climatic region;
• offer a number of hydrologic, atmospheric, thermal and social benefits for the
building, people and the environment;
• protect the underlying components against ultraviolet and thermal
degradation
2.10.3 GREEN WALL : GREEN OUTER
The green façade is the outer wall which can be free-standing or part of a building,
partially or completely covered with vegetation and in some cases, soil or an
inorganic growing medium. They are also referred to as living walls, biowalls, or
vertical gardens. The vegetation for a green façade is always attached on outside
walls, but some cases it can also be used in interiors. Cities are cooler and quieter
through shading, evaporative transpiration, and the absorption of sound by green
walls.
Fig: 2.57 Roof top Gardens

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2.10.3.1 GREEN WALL CATEGORIES
There are two main categories of green walls: green façades and living walls. Green
façades are made up of climbing plants either growing directly on a wall or in
specially designed supporting structures. The plant shoot system grows up the side of
the building while being rooted to the ground. On the other hand, in a living wall the
modular panels are often comprised of polypropylene plastic containers, geotextiles,
irrigation systems, a growing medium and vegetation.
2.10.3.2 EXAMPLES OF GREEN WALL
Patrick Blanc, a French botanist, invented a vertical garden that relies on an
innovative way to grow the plant walls without soil. The garden walls are not heavy
and can be installed outdoors or indoors and in any climatic environment. For
indoors some type of artificial lighting is required, while the watering and
fertilization is automated. The walls act as a phonic and thermal isolation system, as
well as an air purification device. About 150 plant species are growing at Quai
Branly, where the wall is composed of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sheet on a metal
frame.
The sheet serves as a waterproof layer, provides rigidity, and prevents roots from
penetrating the drywall-and-stud assembly beyond, says Jean-Luc Gouallec, a
botanist and consultant for the wall’s designer, of
Patrick Blanc. The plants grow in a
layer of acrylic felt stapled to the PVC. An
automated drip irrigation system supplies water and
periodic fertilization. Maintenance, primarily
trimming of overgrown plants, is conducted about
three times a year, says Gouallec. However, the
Aquaquest project uses rainwater collected from the
roof and stored in an underground cistern to irrigate
the living wall, as well as to flush toilets and refill
freshwater fish tanks.
Fig: 2.58 Green wall concept

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2.10.4 BIOFILTERS : GREEN INNER
There is another type of green wall, known as 'Active living walls' or ‘Biofilter’,
which is used in indoors incorporating with building’s HVAC system based upon the
sciences of bio filtration and phytoremediation. These biofilters replace high-tech,
energy consumptive air filtration systems with living walls that harness the natural
phytoremediation capabilities by drawing air through the root system of the wall of
tropical houseplants to effectively remove common airborne pollutants. Beneficial
microbes actively degrade the pollutants in the
air before returning the new, fresh air back to
the building’s interior. In the breathing wall
filtration takes place right in the active Living
Wall. Basically, dirty air, drawn in from indoor
space, makes close contact with the constantly-
flowing water within the wall, pollutants are
moved from air to water.
Water flows over a lava rock wall covered by moss and other plants, then into a
small pond. Contaminants in the air are absorbed by the vegetation and consumed by
micro-organisms in the soil, improving air quality. Once dissolved into the water,
pollutants are attacked by biological components on the wall itself, and are
metabolized into a harmless state.
Fig: 2.57 Green wall concept
Fig: 2.60 Biofilteration concept
Fig: 2.59 Green wall concept in Elevations

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2.10.5 INDOOR PLANTS : GREEN INNER
Interior landscaping has become increasingly popular during the last 30 years. Most
architects now include plants in their design specification for new shopping centres,
office complexes and other public areas, and people expect to see when they walk
through the door. Thus plants became such important building accessory. The main
reason is, indoor plants look attractive – people get charmed by the graceful arch of
palm leaves or the exotic beauty of orchids. However, recent research has shown that
the value of plants goes far beyond the purely aesthetic. Plants are actually good for
the building and its occupants in a number of subtle ways and are an important
element in providing a pleasant, tranquil environment where people can work or
relax. Plants can be used to decrease noise levels in an office. According to Green
Plants for Green Buildings, if plants are placed strategically, they can help to quite
down the office. A small indoor hedge placed around a workspace will reduce noise
by 5 decibels. The presence of plants in the office not only aesthetically pleasing but
also helps increase workers productivity, reduce stress and improve air quality.
Plants can also improve the indoor environmental quality. The plants clean the office
air by absorbing pollutants into their leaves and transmitting the toxin to their roots,
where they are turned into food for the plant.
Fig: 2.61 Indoor Plants

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CHAPTER -3
ANALYSIS
3.1 DESIGN GOALS & ISSUES
• Environment and micro-climate: surrounding environment and the micro-
climate will help understand the reason of the orientation of the structure.
• User behavior and requirements: Studying the functioning of a place helps
framing the design requirements.
• Form and Function: Form of building should merges with the surrounding
environment. Form and Function go hand in hand. The form of the building
should be able to convey the function of the building.
• Site Planning and Landscape detailing: In such a way, there should be a clear
traffic movement and easier pedestrian access.
• Horizontal and vertical circulation: Horizontal circulation consists of elements
such as the corridors and lobbies. Vertical circulation includes elevators,
staircases, ramps etc. The efficiency of the placement of these services should be
appropriate.
• Building Services: such as Fire Alarm system, HVAC, Water supply systems:
The working of Fire Alarm system, HVAC and Water supply systems should be
examined and their space requirements are to be appropriate.
• Design detailing considering the Barrier-free environment: Implementation
of the Barrier-free architecture for comfortable access to disabled people.
• Parking details and standards: There should be appropriate four and two
wheeler parking as per the standards

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3.2 DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
A. SHOPPING COMPLEX
• Shops – Large & Small – Range from 100 sq.m to 500 sq.m
• Lobby
• Atrium
• Staff area – BMS room
• Service area
o Toilets
o Parking
o Stairs
o Lifts /Escalators
Source: case study / literature study.
B. OFFICE COMPLEX
• Offices – Large & Small – 3000 sq.m to 6000 sq.m
• Lobby
• Atrium
• Staff area – BMS room
• Service area
o Toilets
o Parking
o Stairs
o Lifts /Escalators
C. APARTMENTS:
• 2 Bedroom Unit – 200to 250 sq.m.
• 3 Bedroom unit - 300 to 400 sq.m.
• Entrance Lobby
• Staircase
• Lifts

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• Fire escape stairs
• AHU rooms
• Electrical rooms
D. SERVICED APARTMENTS:
• Number of rooms [ single / double / suites] / toilets
• Details of public areas –
• lobby /lounge,
• restaurants bars,
• shopping,
• banquet/ conference halls ,
• health club,
• Swimming pool,
Source: Government of India, Department of Tourism.
3.2.1 DEVELOPMENT CONTROL RULES
A. BUILDING NORMS
• Minimum Road width for building above 60m is 30.5m
• Maximum F.S.I. 2.50
• Premium F.S.I. 40% of normally allowable FSI
• OSR – OPEN SPACE RESERVATION – 10% of the plot extent
• Maximum plot coverage = 30%
• Maximum Height above ground leve is 60m
• Further every increase in height of 6m, minimum extent of setback left
additionally shall be 1m.
• Spacing between blocks will be 7m.
• Vehicular access within the site 7.2m
• Height of basement floor 1.2m

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B. NON FSI AREAS:
• Staircase and lift rooms
• Lift wells
• Fire escape staircases
• Cantilever fire escape passages
• Stilt parking floor
• Service ducts / garbage shaft
• Ahu rooms
• Electrical room
• Pump room
• Generator room
C. PARKING DETAILS
• Parking: 1 car space for every 50 sq.m. for shopping / 100 sq.m. for office /
75 sq.m. for flats / 50 sq.m. for hotels.
• 1 Two wheeler parking for every 50 sq.m. of shopping/ for every 25 sq.m.
of office space / for every 75 sq.m. of flats / for every 50 sq.m. of hotels
• Car stall size ; 2.5 x 5.0m / two wheeler 1.0m x 1.8m
• Drive way 3.0m for one way / 7.0 m for two –way
• Width of entry exit gates - 3m wide
• Ramp: ramp gradients 1 in 8 / turning radius 4.0m

78
CHAPTER -4
PROJECT DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
4.1 DESIGN PROCESS
The process of generating concepts varies from designer to designer; however, the
process of concept generation should encompass a handful of important steps.
Understanding the project and then consolidate ideas and choose a direction to go
with.
Fig. 4.1 Design process flow chart
4.2 CONCEPT
Developing the Concept:
Keywords: mixed-use, mass, traffic flow, vertical movement
Interconnections = “ Form Follows the circulation Movement”
Concept = Form follows movement
Design Considerations:
-site context
-architectural character
-crowd dynamics
-flexible spaces
-natural illumination
-technology
-vertical circulation

79
4.3 SITE ZONING
Fig. 4.2 Site Zoning

80
4.4 VERTICAL CIRCULATION
Fig. 4.3 Vertical Circulation

81
4.5 FORM EVOLUTION
Form Follows Movement:
“ The principle is that the shape of a building or object should be primarily based
upon its intended function or purpose. A simple rectangular form, which follows the
functional arrangements of the services assigned. ”
Fig. 4.4 Evolution of Form

82
4.6 DRAWINGS
Drwg. : 4.1 Site plan

83
Drwg. : 4.2 Ground floor plan

84
Drwg. : 4.3 First floor plan

85
Drwg. : 4.4 Second floor plan

86
Drwg. : 4.5 Third floor plan

87
Drwg. : 4.6 Fourth floor plan

88
Drwg. : 4.7 Typical office floor plan

89
Drwg. : 4.8 Residential/Mechanical floor plan

90
Drwg. : 4.9 Typical Basement floor plan

91
Drwg. : 4.10 Sectional view

93
Drwg. : 4.12 Front /Side Elevation

94
CHAPTER -5
CONCLUSION
For the ever growing cities the construction of sky high buildings could not be
stopped rather the demand increases day by day. So, this is the high time to look
forward to restore the nature and bring back it into the built environment. As we have
seen the enormous benefits of plants, along with potential ways of incorporating
technologies to integrate them in the building envelope as well as inside it, but still
the process is very much slow and under knowledgeable to mass people.
Proper utilization of the benefits and more public awareness on this regards can
change our environment drastically within near future if all the processes are
followed. For the best benefit the building orientation and the climatic condition of
the site should also be necessary to consider while designing green buildings besides
incorporating plants into the design. We hope that the few drawbacks of technologies
should be overcome soon and more options to plant integration into the high rise
buildings should draw the builder’s attention. Thus we can have a better environment
as well a better future for our next generation.

95
LIST OF REFERENCES
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Alcazar, S.S. and Bass, B., (2005). Energy performance of green roofs in a multi
storey residential building in Madrid. University of Toronto
Beedle, L. S. et al; (2007), The Skyscraper and the City: Design, Technology, and
Innovation, Book 1, USA, The Edwin Mellen Press, ISBN-13: 9780773453296
Buyukozturk, D. O. (2004). High-Rise Buildings: Evolution and innovations.
Cambridge.
Ching, Frank, 2007,Architecture: Form, Space, & Order, 3rd ed, Hoboken, N.J.:
John Wiley & Sons.
Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (2008) Second Master Plan for
Chennai Metropolitan Area – 2026, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority,
Chennai.
Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority. (2004). Development control rules
for Chennai Metropolitan Area, CMDA: Chennai.
Dunnet, N., and Kingsbury, N, (2004), Planning Green Roofs and Living Walls,
Timber Press, Portland, Oregon, 254p.
Jacobs, Hayley. (2008a). Green Plants for Green Buildings, Retrieved on April 08,
2009 from http:// greenplantsforgreenbuildings.org/about.htm
Kaplan, R. (1993), The role of nature in the context of the workplace. Landscape
and Urban Planning, 26, 193-201.

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