Generating Innovative Perforated Patterns for Perimetric Structural Walls with Openings in Multi-Storey Buildings.

Due to the very fast urban development and population growth to the most big cities all over the world, the multi-storey buildings have increased a lot in number. Increasingly, interest is growing in exploring structural systems that allow to build multi-storey buildings. As stated also in the literature and also by Ali. M., M, in his study in 1990, among the major issues that govern the design of a multi-storey building is fulfilling the architectural aspect such as space, function, light while ensuring also the building structural rigidity.Considering also the fact emphasized by Aminmansour & Moon, 2010; Elnimeiri & Gupta, in their study in 2008, that many times, the multi-storey buildings tend to be very inefficient in terms of organisations of the interior spaces. In this regard, based on engineering logical reasoning, in order to provide the sufficient structural rigidity, it requires in many cases, considerable cross section dimensions of structural elements. On the other hands, in engineering design practices there are several cases where to ensure the stability of the building, rigid elements are placed on the building perimeter. The problem is that often, in these cases, these structural elements may interrupt several architectural aspects of the multi-storey building such as its façade, interior space, or even the entire building architectural volume. This study present reinforced concrete Structural Wall elements which are recognized as one of three main structural systems putted on the perimeter of multi-storey buildings among rigid frames and bracing systems. This research aims in suggesting an innovative structural element be implemented in the design process by both being considered as an architectural and structural element.The Structural Wall patterns with different arrangement of openings, called Perforated Structural Wall Panels, are characterized by a pattern of openings in different sizes and forms. This panel should provide the required resistance from the lateral load acting on it while offering at the same time a visual resistance presence. From the architectural point of view, this element offer the possibility to create several configurations of geometric forms, through following a precise methodology explained in further detailed study analysis presented in this study. The methodology can help towards obtaining an optimized panel by creating also a common vocabulary for both the architect and the engineer. This designed vision based on collaboration between architects and engineers aims in fostering an alternative design method outlining an effective structural scheme of multi-storey buildings composed mainly by perforated Structural Wall elements in the building perimeter. Following this design methodology, vertical structural elements would be modified in terms of preserving the required structural members and cutting of the unnecessary ones. The research concludes by discussing on how perforated Structural Wall element can help in fostering the design process and facilitate the decisions steps within designers in concluding the proper building configuration, the architectural performance and the structural rigidity.