Alternativas estructurales empleando forjados unidireccionales en edificación residencial
STRUCTURAL ALTERNATIVES WITH ONE WAY SLAB IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
Abstract
The main objective of this work is the development
of a methodology for decision making on the optimal
structural typology, to be applied by the different
actors involved in a residential construction project,
combining performance criteria, cost, and environmental
impact. This methodology is based on the knowledge
generated from the research based on a deep analysis of
information obtained from actual implemented projects,
and on the professional experience in the sector.
The paper focuses on one-way slabs; the two most
commonly used types of one-way slabs in structures
are “in situ” slabs and those incorporating prefabricated
elements. The application of the methodology is
performed on a reference building, incorporating
different arrangements of pillars (pillars index) as well
as the most common structural solutions. The model
developed from the analyzed cases reflects the most
frequent deployments in residential construction.
A Pareto frontier analysis applied to the results
simplifies and facilitates the decision, reducing the
alternatives to only those that have some advantageous
condition against all others. The results obtained
allow determining optimal solutions, balanced in cost,
performance and CO2 emissions, for three different
structural types, depending on the mentioned Pillars
Index. The results constitute therefore a useful and
practical tool which is an important aid to project
designers from the initial stages; it also offers flexibility,
allowing the updating of variables to consider. The
incorporation of the pillars index as a characterization
element allows the research to be perfectly applied to
actual professional situations. In this way the designer
and promoter can systematize the decisions about the
type of slab to select taking into account as variables:
structural rigidity, price, and environmental impact.
