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Diagrid - Structural Variety - AE 390

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Description of the Diagrid

The Loading on a Diagrid

System Components and Functions

Typical Uses of the Diagrid

Limitations of the System

Materials and Construction

Numerical Parameters

Diagrids vs. Other Structural Systems

Bibliography

Structures Variety

Diagrid - Group 14

AE 390

Kristyn Lemons & Lorena Alvarado

October 17, 2011

The Loading on a Diagrid

The loads in a Diagrid structural system are continuous and uninterrupted. This is due to the fact

that the Diagrid structure is redundant with a simple shape.The Diagrid has the benefits of using

the both a hollow tube and a truss system. The way the elements in the Diagrid are angled allow

the forces to flow naturally through the system, which allows the gravity and lateral loads to be

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transferred from the system into the ground. The vertical gravity loads travel through the

diagonal members. However, without the horizontal rings the structure would buckle if only the

triangular shape handled the different loads. A second degree of stiffness is adding to the

system when the nodes of the triangulation are connected in a ring around the structure.

Diagrid Node

The diagrid system offers several advantages in addition to eliminating

perimeter columns. Most notably it optimizes each structural element.

Typically, columns are used to provide vertical-load-carrying capacity, and

diagonals or braces provide stability and resistance to large forces, such

as wind and seismic loads. But Rahimian [structural engineer for the Hearst

Tower] says that diagonals and braces want to participate in the vertical load

transfer, and the columns want to participate in the lateral load under ideal

assumptions in a typical high-rise. In a diagrid system the two functions are

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married, he says. The columns and diagonals and bracings are all one.

- "Landmark Reinvented" by Brian Fortner

Floor Plates Attached to Diagrid

In this picture, notice how the floor plates seem to be randomly attached to the diagonal steel

beams. As long as the floor plate is not attached to the node, then the only load that is

transferred from the floor plate to the steel beam is a gravity load. Also, the Diagrid does not

transfer any loads onto the floor plates.

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