Separating Buildings

[yarzharlt054]

Hello !

I have a question about analyzing buildings that have different elevations and a few distinct wings.
For example an L shape building with a lower building at the connection.
It's all one building that shares continuous slabs but could they be analyzed as different buildings ?
What are the advantages in doing this and what are the consequences ?
Can someone enlighten me ?

Thanks !

 

[hokie66]

If they are connected, they can't be considered separate. Maybe they should be separate. These type decisions require a lot of experience and judgment in determining whether or not separation joints are required.

 

[asixth]

Don't really know what you mean by a lower building at the connection? Are you referring to a podium level? For lateral loading if there is no separation joint than it will need to be considered as one structure. Depending on the layout of the walls than proper consideration of any torsional irregularity must be considered.

 

[shin25]

If the buildings are connected, they should be analyzed as connected considering due torsional irregularity for seismic analysis. For certain type of irregularity, static seismic analysis is no longer valid, a dynamic analysis may be required.

If the buildings are physically separated, they can be analyzed as two separate structures, however, adequate separation between buildings must be provided