Structural performance of symmetric and asymmetric plan irregular building structures: A comparative analysis of conventional and grid slab systems

Abstract

Rapid urbanization and increasingly complex building designs have led to a rise in structural irregularities, significantly affecting seismic performance. Plan irregularities often induce torsional effects, placing additional stress on structural elements. Slabs play a crucial role in load distribution and stability, particularly in irregular buildings where conventional slabs may not be optimal. Grid slabs, known for their lightweight structure and efficient load transfer, offer a promising solution for enhancing seismic resilience. However, limited research has explored their interaction with irregular building configurations. This study investigates the seismic performance of grid slabs in buildings with varying symmetries, including symmetric, single-axis symmetric, and asymmetric structures. Numerical simulations under dynamic loading conditions were conducted to assess the impact of different grid slab configurations on deflection, shell stresses, interstorey displacement, drift, and torsional irregularities. The findings reveal that optimized grid slab configurations can significantly reduce slab deflections and improve overall seismic performance, particularly in asymmetric buildings. While grid slabs enhance seismic resilience, symmetric buildings inherently offer better structural balance due to their uniform stiffness and load distribution. These insights contribute to the efficient design of earthquake-resistant structures with complex geometries.