Optimum Location of Outrigger-belt Truss in Tall Buildings Based on Maximization of the Belt Truss Strain Energy

In this paper, based on maximizing the outrigger-belt truss system’s strain energy, a methodology for determining the optimum location of an outrigger-belt truss system is presented. Tall building structures with combined systems of framed tube, shear core and outrigger-belt truss system’s are modeled using continuum approach. In this approach, the framed tube system is modeled as a cantilevered beam with box cross section. The effect of outrigger-belt truss and shear core system on framed tube’s response under lateral loading is modeled by a rotational spring at the outrigger-belt truss location. Optimum location of this spring is obtained when energy absorbed by the spring is maximized. For this purpose, first derivative of the energy equation with respect to spring location as measured from base of the structure, is set to zero. Optimum location for outrigger-belt truss system is calculated for three types of lateral loadings, i.e. uniformly and triangularly distributed loads along structure’s height, and concentrated load at top of the structure. Accuracy of the proposed method is verified through numerical examples. The results show that the proposed method is reasonably accurate.