Building Height To Width Ratios
Building Height To Width Ratios
(OP)
Here is the scenerio...
A client wants to keep the overall footprint of the building as small as possible but in order to do so, the structure must get taller to accomodate all the equipment that must be present.
The engineers point out that by increasing the height, the structural aspects (columns, bracing, foundations, etc.) must increase to withstand the slenderness effects and could ultimately negate the up front cost savings of the smaller footprint.
Obviously, site conditions, industry standards, mechanical requirements, etc. all play a role on structure dimensions and can vary significantly depending on circumstances. Just wondering what ratio 'rules-of-thumb' everyone has found to work well for their respective industry fields?
A client wants to keep the overall footprint of the building as small as possible but in order to do so, the structure must get taller to accomodate all the equipment that must be present.
The engineers point out that by increasing the height, the structural aspects (columns, bracing, foundations, etc.) must increase to withstand the slenderness effects and could ultimately negate the up front cost savings of the smaller footprint.
Obviously, site conditions, industry standards, mechanical requirements, etc. all play a role on structure dimensions and can vary significantly depending on circumstances. Just wondering what ratio 'rules-of-thumb' everyone has found to work well for their respective industry fields?






RE: Building Height To Width Ratios
What type of structure? - High rise or a low rise manufacturing building or something in between. What is the reason for the small footprint? - Zoning, amount of available land, green requirements or just a preconceived notion?
Since you mentioned equipment, there MIGHT be a process involved. No rule-of-thumb will give you and real reason to hang your hat on and it takes more information to give any guidance.
Dick
Engineer and international traveler interested in construction techniques, problems and proper design.
RE: Building Height To Width Ratios
If so, what your client "wants" as opposed to what he will be allowed to have, could be two entirely different things.
I always like to make positive comments.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask
RE: Building Height To Width Ratios
Our office has done many of these facilities all over the world and we have done all shapes, sizes, and possible configurations immaginable. The current trend though is that the clients keep pushing for smaller and smaller building footprints and using engineered metal buildings as shell structures. I have found for our work that a ratio of height/width somewhere around 1.25 seems to keep all the forces, stresses, structural members, and foundations reasonable.
So maybe what I really should be asking is what kind of ratios do you use for engeineered metal buildings?
RE: Building Height To Width Ratios
RE: Building Height To Width Ratios
BA