Our team needs to clarify about if we can use horizontal outer bracings at the middle of the Doubled floors and if we will put all the response spectra of the 11 GM compared to the target spectrum for Gm2 in one figure or in a separate figures?

Horizontal bracing cutting through the middle of any floor. For the spectra comparison, showing all the ground-motion spectra along with the target spectrum in one figure is acceptable and fairly common in practice.

Our team needs to clarify about if we can use horizontal outer bracings at the middle of the Doubled floors and if we will put all the response spectra of the 11 GM compared to the target spectrum for Gm2 in one figure or in a separate figures? Read More »

I’d like to confirm whether it is acceptable to attach the wall member to vertical frame members, or wall member to wall member, with adhesive. I believe this approach aligns with the rules, specifically, the stipulation that “Any two adjacent vertical FRAME members must have a clear space of at least 0.25 in. between them.” Please note that when you look at the pictures, remember that you will look at them from the top-view. The texts were plotted in black colour since I could not prevent it, so it could be difficult to see for you, they are written in the center of the shapes. (See photos in answer)

Photos from question: Answer: Both connections are acceptable.

I’d like to confirm whether it is acceptable to attach the wall member to vertical frame members, or wall member to wall member, with adhesive. I believe this approach aligns with the rules, specifically, the stipulation that “Any two adjacent vertical FRAME members must have a clear space of at least 0.25 in. between them.” Please note that when you look at the pictures, remember that you will look at them from the top-view. The texts were plotted in black colour since I could not prevent it, so it could be difficult to see for you, they are written in the center of the shapes. (See photos in answer) Read More »

Are we allowed to introduce transition members over the regions as shown on the attached drawing. The inclined members serve as vertical support members for the cantilevering portion of the upper zone floor and they would have no relation to any floor i.e. they do not contribute to any increase on the the permissible floor areas. (See photo in answer)

Photo for Question: Answer: While adding diagonal members to support your upper floors is acceptable, these cannot be located in the non-buildable areas demarcated in Figure 1 of the Official Rules. No structural elements are allowed in the non-buildable area. As such, the scheme that you’re showing would not be compliant.

Are we allowed to introduce transition members over the regions as shown on the attached drawing. The inclined members serve as vertical support members for the cantilevering portion of the upper zone floor and they would have no relation to any floor i.e. they do not contribute to any increase on the the permissible floor areas. (See photo in answer) Read More »

Our team is looking for clarification on Section 9.4a in the Official Rules. Does “the dead load located nearest the top of the structure will add up to 2.76lbs” mean that the 3 dead load rods in zone 3 will each weigh 0.92lbs? Further, does “the rest of the floors will add up to 2.36lbs/floor” mean the same (ie in 19 floor design 5 dead load rods at 0.472lbs each)? This would then be dependent on overall building height. Additionally, please provide clarification on the phrasing 2.36lbs/floor. Thank you so much.

The building has loads on specific floor levels in the form of steel rods, laid out in Figure 2 of the rules and the Design Guide. The load on every floor is 2.36 lbs, except for the topmost floor. Let me know if the attached figure helps clarify the load specification.

Our team is looking for clarification on Section 9.4a in the Official Rules. Does “the dead load located nearest the top of the structure will add up to 2.76lbs” mean that the 3 dead load rods in zone 3 will each weigh 0.92lbs? Further, does “the rest of the floors will add up to 2.36lbs/floor” mean the same (ie in 19 floor design 5 dead load rods at 0.472lbs each)? This would then be dependent on overall building height. Additionally, please provide clarification on the phrasing 2.36lbs/floor. Thank you so much. Read More »

I am writing on behalf of the [certain university] SDC Team to seek clarification regarding the construction guidelines for beams in the upcoming competition. Specifically, we would like to inquire whether the use of outside beams […] is allowable for our project. Alternatively, are we obligated to construct the beams piece by piece, […] (with beam and column centerlines aligning)?

We interpreted “outside beams” as perimeter beams that connect to perimeter columns with a specific eccentricity, causing the centerline of the columns to deviate towards the inner part of the building, rather than aligning with the centerline of the beams. Both configurations are okay according to the rules, provided that the layout provided by the

I am writing on behalf of the [certain university] SDC Team to seek clarification regarding the construction guidelines for beams in the upcoming competition. Specifically, we would like to inquire whether the use of outside beams […] is allowable for our project. Alternatively, are we obligated to construct the beams piece by piece, […] (with beam and column centerlines aligning)? Read More »

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