A SEMINAR REPORT ON

DIAGRID STRUCTURES

SUBMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF PUNE,

IN THE PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS

FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE

OF

BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING (CIVIL)

BY

SHOUNAK S. BHAVSAR EXAM NO: T150480029

UNDER THE GUIDANCE

Prof.: A.J.SHELKE

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

PVPIT BAVDHAN PUNE

APRIL 2019
 CERTIFICATE

This is to certified that the seminar report entitled

“DIAGRID STRUCTURES”

SUBMITTED BY

SHOUNAK S. BHAVSAR EXAM NO.:- T150480029

is a bonafide work carried out by them under the supervision of Prof. A.J.SHELKE and it is
approved for the partial fulfilment of the requirement of University of Pune for the award of the
Degree of Bachelor of Engineering (Civil).

This seminar report has not been earlier submitted to any other Institute or University for the
award of any degree or diploma.

Prof .:- A.J.SHELKE Prof.:- Dr. R. SORATE Prof.:- EXTERNAL

Guide, Head, EXAMINER

Department of Civil Department of Civil

PLACE.-PUNE

DATE.-06/04/2018
 ABSTRACT
Now days, the building is created with steel in the form of a triangle with diagonal support
beams. These structures are called diagrid. The main advantage is that, it requires less steel as
compared to other normal structures. Shukhov tower is perfect example of diagrid structure. In
these structures, you do not need large corner columns. The main advantage is that the load is
uniformly distributed. It is believed that the diagrid structure was introduced by Vladmir
Shukhov. The diagonal members are present in gravity and lateral load resistance.

Thus, it provides lots of strength to the structure. Shear and Moment is present in the diagonals.
The height of the building determines the optimal angle of the diagonals. The optimal angle for
columns is around 90 degrees and for diagonals with maximum shear is 35 degrees. For diagrid
structure optimal angle lies between these two values. The optimal angle may increase as the
height increases. It is generally in the range of the 60 to 70 degrees. Diagrid structure have
applications in the buildings with complex geometry and curved shapes. The triangular shape
that is constructed is generally an isosceles triangle.
 CONTENTS
CERTIFICATE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

CHAPTER TITLE PAGE NO.

1. INTRODUCTION 1
2. LITERATURE REVIEW 3
2.1 PAPER NO.1
2.2 PAPER NO.2
3. HISTORY 4
4. DIAGRID COMPONENTS
4.1 NODES
4.2 DIAGONAL MEMBERS
4.3 RING BEAMS
4.4 TIE BEAMS
4.5 CORE
5. TRIANGULAR DIAGRID 6
MODULE
5.1 MODULE GEOMETRY
5.2 OPTIMAL ANGLE
5.3 MODULE DIMENSION
6. BEHAVIOUR UNDER VARIOUS 8
LOADS
6.1 VERTICAL LOAD
6.2 SHEAR LOAD
7. MERITS AND DEMERITS 10
7.1 MERITS
7.2 DEMERITS
8. APPLICATIONS 12
9. CONCLUSION 13
10. REFERENCE 14
1
INTRODUCTION

Vertical columns in the core are designed for carrying gravity loads only and the diagrid is useful
for both gravity and lateral loading. Diagonalised applications of structural steel members for
providing efficient solutions both in terms of strength and stiffness are not new, however now
days a renewed interest in it and a wide spread application of diagrid is registered with reference
to large span and high rise buildings, particularly when they are characterized by complex
geometries and curved shapes.

The diagrid is a framework of diagonally intersecting metal, concrete or wooden beams that is
used in the construction of buildings and roofs. It requires less structural steel than a
conventional steel frame. The diagrid obviates the need of columns and can be used to make
large column free expanses of roofing. Shear and over turning moment developed are resisted by
axial action of these diagonals compared to bending of vertical column in the framed structure.
Diagrid structures of the steel members are efficient in providing solution both in term of
strength and stiffness. But now days a wide spread application of diagrid is used in the large span
and high rise buildings, particularly when they are complex geometrics and curved shapes.

1
Diagrid structure

Fig No.1

2
 1. LITERATURE REVIEW
The extensive literature review was carried out by referring standard journals, reference books
and conference proceedings.

2.1 Terri Meyer Boake tboake@uwaterloo.ca School of Architecture, University of Waterloo,

Cambridge, ON, Canada

Diagonalized grid structures – “diagrids” - have emerged as one of the most innovative and
adaptable approaches to structuring buildings in this millennium. Variations of the diagrid
system have evolved to the point of making its use non exclusive to the tall building. Diagrid
construction is also to be found in a range of innovative mid rise steel projects. This paper will
examine developments in the recent history of diagrid buildings to include the design, detailing,
fabrication and erection issues. The structural and architectural design of diagrid buildings falls
cleanly between the typical education or experience of the architect and engineer. The approach
to the current study and design of diagrid buildings is very different if looked at through the eyes
of the Architect vs. Engineer vs. Fabricator/erector. The decision to express or conceal the
structure impacts the design of the building in very unique ways given the angular nature of this
new geometry. It is the intention of this paper to provide a comparative understanding of the
design requirements and detailing of these structures via an examination of significant recent
examples.

2.2 Kyoung Sun Moon

The diagrid structural system has widely been used for tall buildings due to its structural
efficiency and distinctive architectural aesthetic potentials. This paper extends the previous
studies on diagrids by further investigating more efficient diagrid configurations which require
less amount of structural material to meet design requirements. Today, sustainable design to save
our limited resources is one of the most important building design issues, especially for tall
buildings constructed with an abundant amount of resources. Diagrid structures of uniform and
various varying angle configurations are studied to determine more efficient geometric
configurations of the system.

3
 2. HISTORY

Shukhov Tower

Fig No.2

The first Diagrid hyperboloid structure as constructed by Russian engineer and architect
Vladmir Shukhov.

Built in the period 1920-1922.

160 m high

4
 3. DIAGRID COMPONENTS

4.1 Nodes
Nodes are the joints that connect all the members. These joints are typically formed by
bolting or welding the ends of the members to a gusset plate.

4.2 Diagonal Members

These are the members which transfer both lateral and gravity loads through axial action.
Members can be made of steel, concrete, timber and composite materials.

4.3 Ring Beams

Ring beams comprise of ring structure at the periphery of the building connected at the
nodes which are further connected with the diagrid column.

4.4 Tie beams

Tie Beams transfer load Reinforced Concrete core to Diagrid structures.

4.5 Core
It is provided to carry loads. It can be made of of Reinforced Cement Concrete or Steel
Columns.

5
 4. TRIANGULAR DIAGRID MODULE

Diagrid structure is modeled as a beam, and subdivided longitudinally into modules

according to this repetitive diagonal pattern. Each diagrid module is defined by a single level of
diagonals that extend over ‘n’ stories.

5.1 MODULE GEOMETRY:

Diagrid structures, like all the tubular configurations, utilize the overall building plan dimension
for counteracting overturning moment and providing flexural rigidity through axial action in the
diagonals, which acts as inclined columns, however this potential bending efficiency of tubular
configuration is never fully achievable, due to shear deformations that arise in the building webs
with this regard, diagrid systems, which provide shear resistance and rigidity by means of axial
action in the diagonal members, rather than bending moment in beams and columns, allows for a
nearly full exploitation of the theoretical bending resistance. Being the diagrid a triangulated
configuration of structural members, the geometry of the single module plays a major role in the
internal axial force distribution, as well as in conferring global shear and bending rigidity to the
building structure. While a module angle equal to 35° ensures the maximum shear rigidity to the
diagrid system, the maximum engagement of diagonal members for bending stiffness
corresponds to an angle value of 90°, i.e. vertical columns. Thus in diagrid systems, where
vertical columns are completely eliminated and both shear and bending stiffness must be
provided by diagonals, a balance between this two conflicting requirements should be searched
for defining the optimal angle of the diagrid module. Usually Isosceles triangular geometry is
used.

5.2 OPTIMAL ANGLE:

As in the diagrids, diagonals carry both shear and moment. Thus, the optimal angle
of diagonals is highly dependent upon the building height. Since theoptimal angle
of the columns for maximum bending rigidity is 90 degrees and that of the
diagonals for maximum shear rigidity is about 35 degrees, it isexpected that the
optimal angle of diagonal members for diagrid structures will fall between these
angles and as the building height increases, the optimal angle also increases.
Usually adopted range is 60 -70 degree.

5.3 MODULE DIMENSION:

6
 Height of the module: It depends on the number of stories stacked per module. Usually 2 – 6
stories are stacked per diagrid with average floor height varying from 3.5 -4.15 m on an average.

Base of the module: It depends on the height and optimal angle (apex angle) of the diagrid.

Triangular diagrid module

Fig No.3

7
 5. BEHAVIOUR UNDER VARIOUS LOADS

6.1 VERTICAL LOAD

The diagrid module under gravity loads G is subjected to a downward vertical force causes the
two diagonals being both in compression and the horizontal chord in tension.

Behaviour under vertical load

Fig No.4

8
6.2 SHEAR LOAD

The global shear causes a horizontal force in the apex joint of the diagrid modules whose
intensity depends on the position of the module with respect to the direction of wind load

Behaviour under shear load

Fig No.5

9
 6. Merits & Demerits

7.1 MERITS

1. Improves aesthetic view of building.

2. The use of diagrid reduces the steel upto 20% compared to braced frame structure.
3. It doesn’t need technical labour as the construction technology is simple.
4. When glass material is used with the diagrid, it allows generous amount of light
inside the structure.
5. Diagrid structures have majorily column free exterior and interior, free and clear,
unique floor plans can be implemented.
6. Redundancy in the diagrid design is obvious. It is this redundancy then that can
transfer load from a failed portion of the structure to another.

10
7.2 DEMERITS

1. The number of storeys directly depend upon the primary module height.
2. Both the engineering and fabrication of the joints are more complex than for orthogonal
structure, and this incurs additional cost.
3. Lack of availability of skilled workers having experience in diagrid construction.
4. Errection of nodes is a difficult process.
5. As of yet, the Diagrid construction techniques are not thoroughly explored.

11
 7. APPLICATIONS

Skyscrapers:
Owners of skyscrapers benefits from maximizing rentable space in their structures. For this
reason , a diagrid system is ideal because it can minimize the use of interior columns , thus
maximizing interior space. In addition, diagrids form a light and airy structure , which are
desired for minimizing gravity(vertical) and lateral loads.

Bridges:
The load distribution of diagrids is similar to that of a trust , it makes sense that the system is
also applicable to bridges. The ability of the diagrids to transfer gravity loads diagonally makes it
easier to distribute loads to its supports. Additionally, since diagrids can span longer , it would
require less intermediate supports.

Sculptures:
Sculptures structures are those structures that are mainly designed of the aesthetic purposes ,
not for structural functionality. Such structures are EIFFEL TOWER in Paris and STATUE OF
LIBERTY in New York. Although these structures can accommodate tourists, their primary
purpose is to serve as landmarks , rather than functional structures.

12
 8. CONCLUSION

1. We are at a time when the global population is inching the 7 billion mark.

2. Around the globe we witness frequent recurrence of natural calamities, depletion and
degradation of vital life supporting systems, all presumed to be the impacts of Global
warming, making life miserable on earth.

3. It is high time for humanity to switch to sustainable and eco-friendly lines of infrastructure
development.

4. One of the best structural system for high rise building especially irregular shaped like
tilted, twisted etc.

5. Hence, diagrid structures are aesthetically dominant.

13
 REFERENCES

1. Kyoung Sun Moon (2012) Sustainable Design of Diagrid Structural for Tall Buildings.
2. Kheir Al- Kodmany , University of Ilinois (2012).
3. Terri Mayer Boake , School of Architecture, University of Waterloo, Cambridge, Canada.
4. Sree Harsha J, K Raghu, G Narayana. Analysis of Tall buildings for desired angle of Diagrids(2015)

14