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Movable steel building 2

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U_Kien07

Structural
Jun 1, 2018
2
VN
Dear all,
I have project with concept : movable building. This building have size 20mx20x18m (W-H-L)
This building will be moving by rail/motor below .
Does anyone have any example or feedback to me about this type of structure ?
My big problem with me now is the based connection, how i can consider it (Pi,Fix,....)

I have send the photo for example .
Thanks all,
 
 https://files.engineering.com/getfile.aspx?folder=e4a2b0e7-a449-47d1-84c2-5b1649474f04&file=image_2022-10-26_215753188.png
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1) Why would we do work for free?
2) Instead of moving the building, why not move the stuff in it into the building?
 
@JedClampett :
But client request this concept . They just want to move the cover building.
 
This just moves back and forth on a set of rails?

I would think the base connection would have to be considered pinned, I can't imagine anything with the ability to roll would at the same time be able to provide a fixed base for column bending.
 
There's a lot of specialty things to consider to build something like this.

I'm not sure how your client is going to feel if you tell them that the limits of your understanding of the concept for this building are derived from a few anonymous engineers on a forum you just joined.

Fixed or pinned column??? Which axis? what is your proposed detail for the connection of the columns to the rails, how might that detail impact the base restraint of the column to consider in your model?

These are all important things relating to your question. Now perhaps you have considered this in more detail but simply posting an example picture and asking for a narrative from the forum is not sufficient. and like Jed said, why would we do this for free?

 
In Phoenix, we have a ballpark, called Chase Field with a movable roof. It was a major design element and didn't work right at first (they had to add outriggers) and actually is not working so good now. It seems your building is in some ways more technically difficult, with the reasons driftLimiter mentioned and probably a lot more.
I'd try to limit the end locations and put some kind of pin the base plates can be lowered onto there.
 
If I recall correctly part of the issue that the contractor experienced was that the rail had a very tight tolerance on the curvature. The first contractor was unable to achieve the required tolerance, and the rail system did not work. These kind of specialty issues are going to be the main challenge the OP has to face. Not to mention all of the non-standard detailing that goes into achieving a structure like this.
 
I'm all for people pushing themselves to learn more and do better. More challenging engineering, more efficient designs, etc. I think it's great.

BUT...if you get a request for a proposal for such a project, and your first move is to ask an anonymous online forum where to start...YOU'RE IN OVER YOUR HEAD. Right? I'm not nuts on this, am I?
 
I have seen these a number of places.
And they are highly engineered.
Jed and Pham are right on this.
If you don't already know how to do this, then you need to hire someone who does.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
P.E. Metallurgy, consulting work welcomed
 
You have an example. Find those designers.

It is very clear that the base has no ability to do anything other than resist some lateral force with no rigidty.

All lateral force will need to be taken by the wall to roof connection with the lower end being a simple hinged connection.

Go find one and take a load of photos...

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.
 
Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, AZ has a new movable building. I haven't visited yet to see how they did it, but it may be worth a look online.
 
This sounds hilarious, and if the client understood the complexity, was willing to pay for it and had the schedule duration to make it not a nightmare, it'd be a fun little problem to solve.
 
TLHS said:
This sounds hilarious, and if the client understood the complexity, was willing to pay for it and had the schedule duration to make it not a nightmare, it'd be a fun little problem to solve.

This. I would love analyzing the dynamic aspect of the loading--accelerating from stationary to in-motion and opposite. Reminds me of my undergrad physics days (insert nostalgia here).

This sort of thing is definitely established and probably monopolized by a small cohort of engineers. I drove to Philadelphia just today and my eye is always drawn to the enormous gantry cranes along the Delaware river. Gantry crane analysis and design is exactly where I would start.
 
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