Elevators and Structural Engineers

[abusementpark]

Has anyone come across a good article or presentation that summarizes what structural engineers need to know about elevators, how they attach, and how they impose loads on your structure?

 

[JAE]

We had an elevator technical rep come to one of our local structural engineering association meetings and give a presentation - he was quite informative and gave the supplier side of construction and design. You might try contacting a local elevator company - they might be aware of publications that are available...or they may have some to share.

 

[larsacious]

Unfortunately, I don't think that there is a "one size fits all" for this. Every supplier has different requirements for where there rails will need attachment. The best way to handle this is for the architect bid the elevator contract well before CD's are produced. This way openings, connections, floor details, etc. can be worked out before bidding the project.

 

[csd72]

Yes it is very reliant on the type of drive mechanism used.

Some push from the bottom, some pull from the top, some run on tracks on opposite sides of the carriage and others cantilver from one rail on one side of the carriage.

as others have said, best to get them involved early.

 

[Lion06]

I think what the OP is getting at is where can some generic information be found.

I know when I hear someone say it's a track elevator, or a counterweight, or some other type (if there are other types), that doesn't intantly bring any images to mind as to how the system works. Know how it works and what supplier needs for supports is beneficial just in terms of thinking about what you need there. Whether they need to be clipped off laterally at every floor or every 15 floors is really secondary to just knowing that they need to be clipped of laterally at some frequency.

 

[DTGT2002]

Another key consideration should be how does the shaft cover over, what coordination is needed to accomodate hoist beams and how can all of these things be constructed?