7T645 2006, TU/e, Master Student Conference On Research methodology

Eindhoven The Netherlands winter 2006

Adaptable main support structures in high rise buildings

D.R.Tulp
Eindhoven University,
P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
d.r.tulp@student.tue.nl

adaptability, high rise building, main support structures

1 Sustainable development

When we look at society today, it is quite obvious that we can’t continue to live our consumer
lifestyle this way, without seriously endangering the world’s future. Because of our actions, problems
occur like the greenhouse effect, the extinction of species, which in turn destabilizes the ecological
processes and the depletion of fossil energy resources.

We can pretend that this is not happening, or that it will not affect us, but in the end, we will suffer
from such behavior. That is why the search for a sustainable relationship with our surroundings is
mandatory if we want to survive.

The build environment plays an important role in the quest for a stable relationship with nature. One
factor here is the lifespan of our buildings. Most buildings nowadays either are demolished before
their technological lifespan has been exceeded, or are dramatically altered to meet the demands of a
new period. In other words, the economical lifespan of buildings do not match the technological
lifespan.

Would it be possible to extend the economical lifespan so it will meet, or even overcome the
technological lifespan? Numerous theories have been developed as an answer to this question, but a
thorough research to the possibilities of an adaptable main support structure is lacking.

2 Necessities

A good follow-up question is whether or not this is actually needed. In fact, a lot of normal dwellings
are adapted to the demands of new inhabitants all the time and without too much difficulty. This
question is part of the research being conducted by R. Gijsbers which he published a paper about in
the proceedings of the Adaptables convention in Eindhoven in 2006. In this paper Gijsbers states: “To
provide buildings with a sustainability appreciated in the future, the assumption is that structural
adaptability in the right places offers maximum flexibility in utilization. In collaboration with other
aspects represented by Slimbouwen®, it must be possible to extend the lifespan of the future building
stock.”

Gijsbers has not yet published his findings on his research for the right places, but it can be assumed
that normal dwellings can not be regarded as such. The standard ‘vinex’ dwelling in The Netherlands
is extendable at a level where the current increase in the change of demands and wishes of the
inhabitants, can be met, with reasonably simple actions. What the future will bring in this regard
remains to be seen.
 7T645 2006, TU/e, Master Student Conference On Research methodology
Eindhoven The Netherlands winter 2006

3 Research goals

Therefore the goal of this research is to give designers the possibilities to develop an adaptable main
support structure for high rise buildings. The development of the three dimensional city and the
demand for sustainable high rise buildings also provide a basis for this research.

The goal in this research is to develop insight in the possibilities for adaptable main support structures
in high rise buildings. This will create a foundation on which further development on design methods
can be based.

This results of this research will most likely be used by building designers that aim for a sustainable
build environment.

4 Conceptual model

International
- Sustainability
- The build environment
National
- Adaptability of buildings
- Technological possibilities
Adaptable main support structures

Main support Adaptability

structure of high
rise buildings

Demands regarding main support systems of high rise buildings

Technological possibilities adaptability of construction types
Aesthetic demands on the high rise buildings
Logistic demands on the high rise buildings
Financial demands on the high rise buildings
Functional demands on high rise buildings

4.1 Conceptual model of this research

Figure 4.1 displays this research’s conceptual model and shows a number of factors that are that have
an affect the possibilities for high rise buildings to have an adaptable main support structure. These
factors are the basis for the main questions to be answered by this research.

Adaptability of main support structures in high rise buildings D.R. Tulp

 7T645 2006, TU/e, Master Student Conference On Research methodology
Eindhoven The Netherlands winter 2006

5 Research questions

The first main research question is “Which technologies are available for adaptable main support
structures?”

This question can be answered by answering the following secondary questions:

• What demands on a main support structure of a high rise building result from adaptability?
• What materials are best suited for adaptability?
• What construction mechanisms are best suited for adaptability?
• Are there precedence’s of adaptable main support systems and do they function correct in this
regard?

Optimization of these questions will provide the following researchable questions that will provide
answers to the above questions:
• What materials are used in main support structures?
• What demands on materials result from adaptability?
• What construction mechanisms are used in main support structures?
• What demands on construction mechanisms result from adaptability?
• Are there any existing adaptable buildings?
• Does this adaptability function correctly?
• Does the building itself function as it should?

A second main research question is “What possibilities are there for high rise buildings to have an
adaptable main support system?

This question can be answered by answering the following secondary questions:

• What are the characteristics of a main support structure of a high rise building?
• Where in a main support system of a high rise building is adaptability most effective?
• What demands, from a design point of view, would be affected by the adaptability of a high
rise building and to what extend?
• What sort of effect will an adaptable main support structure have on a high rise building?

Optimization of these questions will provide the following researchable questions that will provide
answers to the above questions:
• What are the demands of main support systems of high rise buildings?
• What will cause an adaptable main support structure to be effective?
• Where in the main support structure of a high rise building could this be achieved?
• What demands on a high rise building result from a deign point of view?
• Which of these demands would be affected by an adaptable main support structure?
• What are the benefits of an adaptable main support system for a high rise building and what
are the disadvantages?

These optimized research questions demands that we conduct an explorative research which will exist
out of literature studies and web-based research. A case study would also be a good way to get
answers to these questions.

Adaptability of main support structures in high rise buildings D.R. Tulp

 7T645 2006, TU/e, Master Student Conference On Research methodology
Eindhoven The Netherlands winter 2006

6 Research limitations and definitions

To make sure this research can be conducted a number of limitation and restrictions have to be put
into effect:
• The high rise building type must be restricted to office buildings as this market is very
unstable, and therefore most immediate financial profit can be established there.
• The building type must be from one country only to limit the variables involved; in my case I
would suggest the Netherlands.

Adaptability is a widely used term, just as flexibility but these should not be mixed up as they don’t
have the same definition. According to R.Blok in his paper with co author F. van Herwijnen, also in
the proceedings of the Adaptables conference in Eindhoven in 2006 the two are defined the following:
“Active flexibility: The ability to respond by changing, reacting or adapting. In building we call
this Adaptability.
Passive flexibility: There is no need to react, because of sufficient tolerance or capacity. […]
For various reasons here the word Flexibility is used for passive flexibility.”

A main support structure can be defined as the primary construction that will transfer the forces active
on the building, to the foundation.

7 Acknowledgments

I thank R. Gijsbers for his help as well as R. Blok both working on the Technical University of
Eindhoven for their time and assistance. I would also like to thank my teachers that have helped me
develop a sound research plan. And I can not forget the help I received from the members of my
working group.

8 References

Blok, R. & Herwijnen, F. van, 2006, Quantifying Structural Flexibility for performance based life
cycle design of buildings, Paper in Adaptables2006 Proceedings of the joint CIB, Tensinet,
IASS International Conference on Adaptability in Design and Construction, Volume 1, 2006,
TU/e, Eindhoven
Gijsbers, R., 2006, Towards adaptability structures to extend the functional lifespan of buildings
related to flexibility in future use of space, Paper in Adaptables2006 Proceedings of the joint
CIB, Tensinet, IASS International Conference on Adaptability in Design and Construction,
Volume 1, 2006, TU/e, Eindhoven
Lichtenberg, J.J.N., 2005, Slimbouwen®, Æneas, uitgeverij vakinformatie, Boxtel

Adaptability of main support structures in high rise buildings D.R. Tulp