The Effects of Various Reinforcement Configurations to Reduce

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of various structural support configurations in preventing topical compression in skyscraper buildings. To conduct this investigation, the following four support configurations were tested: a single/double vertical support system, a single diagonal/single vertical system, a double cross diagonal, and a double diagonal/double vertical configuration. The control was constructed with no support between the horizontal levels representing the floors of the building. Two identical models of each building were constructed. To test each model’s ability to withstand vertical compression, the models were placed on a level surface, and weight was added to the top of each until the model failed. Weight in pounds was converted to kilograms, and then to Newtons (1kg=9.8 N). The double diagonal/double vertical configuration proved to be the most resistant to topical compression as the average force necessary to cause failure was 429 N. The double cross/double diagonal required 327 N before failure, and the single diagonal /single vertical and single/double vertical configurations failed at an average of 293N and 129 N respectively. The results of this study supported the hypothesis. Statement of the Problem The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of various structural configurations to resist topical compression of skyscraper buildings. Review of Related Literature Compression is the force that puts a downward strain on buildings. Compressive strength is the ability to resist compression. Structural support is what helps prevent the buildings from collapsing from upper floor weight. Force is any action that tends to maintain or alter the place of an object. Strength is the ability to with hold a realistic load. A skyscraper’s height is usually about 40 to 50 stories and higher. Buckling is the failure that takes place when a structural framework bends and then brakes from compression. The strength of materials is the ability to resist collapsing from under compressive strength, tensile strength, and shear strength. Basswood mainly grows in the Northern and Lake States. The average tree height is about 65 feet. Uses of basswood are carvings, turnings, furniture, moldings, millwork, and musical instruments. Basswood texture has a fine uniform. Adding structural support can be added by installing steel, cables, cement, and cross pieces. Compression is a force that squeezes material together. When material is compressed it becomes shorter and more compact. Structural engineers’ job is to arrange proportions structures and their parts so that they pleasingly support the masses they are assigned. The tallest skyscraper is the “Petronas Twin Towers” in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia at 1483 feet tall! The first drive to build tall buildings started is Chicago in the late 1800’s; it was about this time that the steel “I” beam came along. The term “Skyscraper” was coined in the 1880’s, shortly after the first tall buildings were completed in the United States. The Home Insurance Building in Chicago was the first tall building that used steel framework. The human passenger elevator was first installed in the Haughwout Department store in New York in 1875. The goal of the engineer is to safely meet necessary requirements. Steel has compression and tensile strength as well as being lightweight. The tallest buildings In the U.S. were built from 1900 to 1933. Hypothesis The hypothesis of this study was that a diagonal double vertical configuration would resist the greatest amount of topical compression.