Optimum Belt Truss Locations for High-Rise Structures

Innovative structural schemes are continuously being sought in the design of high-rise structures with the intention of limiting the wind drift to acceptable limits without paying a high premium in steel tonnage. The savings in steel tonnage and cost can be dramatic in high-rise buildings if certain techniques are employed to utilize the full capacities of the structural elements. Various wind bracing techniques have been developed to this end; this paper deals with one such system, namely, the belt truss system. A method of analysis is presented for obtaining optimum combination of belt truss location which minimizes the wind drift of the building.