Office building in Texas

JPMorgan Chase Tower (Houston) by Jim Evans, License CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode)

John Hopkins University – United States

Building use

Office building

Country/Region

All Regions

Overview

A unique system of beams linked to a core shear wall, and exterior bundled columns were adopted to support the height of the building (it was the tallest composite building in the world when it was completed in 1980) and address various structural challenges, such as the natural tendency of the tube perimeter frame to warp.

Basic information (construction date, number of stories, gross floor area, adopted design code, engineer(s), Contractor(s), etc.)

Construction date: 1981
Number of stories: 75
Gross floor area: 185,000m2
Adopted design code: Houston Building Code 2015
Engineer(s): CBM Engineers
Contractor(s): Turner Construction

Issue and/or innovation

The innovation came with a uniform shear membrane of beams linking to a core shear wall. This solved the issue of warping, and created the possibility for an interior space with fewer columns. The building also features 8 exterior bundled columns to add to the efficiency and strength of the structure.

Reason for composite solution

To support the height of the building and address various structural challenges, such as the natural tendency of the tube perimeter frame to warp.

Specific solution/technical details

Steel frame and concrete core, with eight exterior columns that are bundled together to create a more efficient structure.
Creation of custom built ‘jump’ forms to address logistical challenges with the composite structure, which set records for concrete pumping at the time.