Optimizing Skyscraper Design with Protostructures: A BS 8110 Analysis

Abstract

The increasing demand for land-efficient construction due to urbanization has led to the proliferation of high-rise buildings, necessitating advanced design methodologies. This study explores the analysis and modeling of a 33-storey reinforced concrete building using ProtaStructure in compliance with BS 8110, the British Standard for structural use of concrete. The structure, designed for mixed-use purposes, incorporates key elements such as beams, flat slabs, and shear walls, supported by a raft foundation. The foundation was chosen for its ability to uniformly distribute heavy loads and minimize differential settlement, enhancing overall stability. ProtaStructure was employed for its capability to handle complex geometries, dynamic load scenarios, and multi-material systems. The software facilitated finite element analysis (FEA), allowing detailed evaluation of deflections, shears, and moments under various load conditions, including dead loads, live loads, wind forces. The design adhered to BS 8110 guidelines, ensuring compliance with safety and serviceability standards. Тhe results revealed that the maximum axial load was 10105.982 kN, with peripheral columns bearing proportionally lower loads due to loadsharing mechanisms. Maximum deflection of the superstructure under service conditions were 0.000364 m (0.364 mm), well below the allowable span/250 limit. The raft foundation performed effectively, with a maximum soil bearing pressure of 26.441 kN/m², safely within the soil's bearing capacity of 125 kN/m². The raft thickness of 0.9 meters optimized material was used while ensuring stability. The study demonstrates how effectively ProtaStructure streamlines the design processes for high-rise buildings, reducing errors, and achieving cost-effective solutions. Exploring modern codes like Eurocode 2, incorporating sustainability measures, and conducting advanced soil- structure interaction studies can enhanced design precision. Further integration of ProtaStructure with Building Information Modeling (BIM) platforms and comparative studies with alternative software tools are also suggested to expand its applicability. This research underscores the synergy between traditional design standards like BS 8110 and contemporary structural analysis tools like Protastructure software in delivering robust and efficient solutions for modern high-rise buildings.