Evaluation of horizontal loads in the concept design of tall building concrete structures

Horizontal forces, both from wind and seismic actions, govern in most cases the structural design of tall buildings. An accurate assessment of the magnitude of horizontal actions from initial project stages provides a valuable information for typology choice and preliminary sizing of members. This study develops and analytical evaluation of horizontal forces considering the dynamic effects in this type of buildings to be applied in the initial structural design stages. The research uses analytical methods based on current codes and standards together with numerical Finite Element models and graphic tools that provide a set of original data based on a benchmark case-study. It includes a sensitivity analysis that shows the influence that some parameters have, such as the damping of the structure, in the magnitude of horizontal forces. The study provides new data and a visual analysis method for the two most complex actions in the design of tall buildings. The importance of wind against seism is shown while building stiffness decreases and dynamic effects increase transversal wind actions.