analysis of exterior CMU elevator tower
analysis of exterior CMU elevator tower
(OP)
Hello-
I am designing a cmu elevator rower to be added to the exterior of an existing masonry building as a "bump-out". The elevator shaft is basically a hollow masonry tube, extending three floors up. Wind, seismic and elevator rail loads parallel to the existing wall that I am bumping out on will tend to rack the shaft walls, in plan. Trying to use the exterior walls of the new shaft as shear walls for their full 3-story height to resist these lateral loads doesn't seem feasible because of the very high aspect ratio (height/length). Have thought instead to resolve lateral loads at each floor level into a couple that is to be resisted by connection to the existing floor diaphragms.
Have seen many other buildings with exterior elev shafts but this is my first time doing this. Has this approach been done before?
I am designing a cmu elevator rower to be added to the exterior of an existing masonry building as a "bump-out". The elevator shaft is basically a hollow masonry tube, extending three floors up. Wind, seismic and elevator rail loads parallel to the existing wall that I am bumping out on will tend to rack the shaft walls, in plan. Trying to use the exterior walls of the new shaft as shear walls for their full 3-story height to resist these lateral loads doesn't seem feasible because of the very high aspect ratio (height/length). Have thought instead to resolve lateral loads at each floor level into a couple that is to be resisted by connection to the existing floor diaphragms.
Have seen many other buildings with exterior elev shafts but this is my first time doing this. Has this approach been done before?






RE: analysis of exterior CMU elevator tower
Yes it has been done before, probably many times. The main thing you have to consider is differential settlement. Use mechanical connections from the new masonry walls to the existing walls that provide lateral attachment, but vertical slippage. Also, sill details at each floor level must be able to accommodate some vertical differential.
RE: analysis of exterior CMU elevator tower
RE: analysis of exterior CMU elevator tower