Analysis of reinforced concrete pillars pre-dimensioning methods for 5, 10 and 15 floor buildings (geometric proportion plan 1:2)

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Elaborating structural dimensioning of reinforced concrete buildings involves initiating an interactive process which may take a few days to determine the structural elements’ final dimensions. With this situation, the engineer needs to use either his job experience to reduce time spent on dimensioning process or structural pre-dimensioning methods, to estimate values of cross section columns area closer to its final dimension. Thus, this current study aims to perform column pre-dimensioning methods in buildings with 5, 10 and 15 floors, and determine accuracy of these methods comparing to results obtained by structural software, in addiction, considering the horizontal effects caused by wind force to the buildings. After analyzing the results, it could indicate the most accurate method to each structure, and each column position. Bacarji-Pinheiro (1996) and Aufieri (1997) were effective for all these three buildings. The method proposed by Fusco (1994) has shown the most effortless technique once it needs fewer parameters to be considered, however its results satisfied values for the 5 floor building only.