Structural shearwall

Abstract

A shearwall adapted for use in a building or other structure includes a main concrete portion and structural reinforcement positioned within the main concrete portion. The shearwall is configured to resist lateral forces to which the building or other structure may be subjected. Further, the shearwall is configured to accommodate a vertical load such that the need for at least one separate structural column is eliminated.

1 . A shearwall adapted for use in a multi-story building or other structure, comprising:
 a main concrete portion; and   structural reinforcement positioned within the main concrete portion;   wherein the shearwall is configured to resist lateral forces to which the building or other structure may be subjected;   wherein the shearwall is configured to accommodate a vertical load such that the need for at least one separate structural column is eliminated,   wherein the main concrete portion includes ends, the shearwall being configured to accommodate the vertical load primarily at said ends.   
   
   
       2 . The shearwall of  claim 1 , wherein the shearwall is configured to be generally aligned with at least one vertically-adjacent shearwall positioned above or below the shearwall. 
   
   
       3 . The shearwall of  claim 2 , wherein the shearwall and the at least one vertically-adjacent shearwall are structurally connected using at least one reinforcement member. 
   
   
       4 . The shearwall of  claim 1 , wherein the shearwall comprises at least one reinforcement cage, said reinforcement cage configured to accommodate vertical load. 
   
   
       5 . The shearwall of  claim 1 , wherein said shearwall is configured to be included in a building having between 3 and 24 stories. 
   
   
       6 . The shearwall of  claim 1 , wherein said shearwall is configured to be included in a building having over 24 stories. 
   
   
       7 . The shearwall of  claim 1 , wherein a floor-to-floor of said shearwall is approximately 10 feet. 
   
   
       8 . The shearwall of  claim 1 , wherein a floor-to-floor of said shearwall is greater than or less than approximately 10 feet. 
   
   
       9 . The shearwall of  claim 1 , wherein a total floor area of each floor of said building is approximately 30,000 square feet. 
   
   
       10 . A method of reducing the construction cost of a multi-story building, comprising:
 providing a plurality of steel-reinforced concrete shearwalls configured to accommodate both lateral and vertical loads;   providing a plurality of steel-reinforced concrete columns configured to generally accommodate only vertical loads; and   providing an upper floor slab above the shearwalls and columns, and a lower floor slab below the shearwalls and columns;   wherein the shearwalls are configured to accommodate substantially all of the shear load and at least a portion of the vertical load subjected on said building; and   wherein the building comprises at least 3 stories.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the shearwalls and columns are setback from an edge of building's floor plan. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the building comprises between 3 and 24 stories. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein a total floor area of each floor of said building is approximately 30,000 square feet. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the upper and lower floor slabs comprise a tension tendon. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the tension tendon is a pre-tensioning or post-tensioning tendon. 
   
   
       16 . A method of constructing a multi-story building, comprising:
 providing a plurality of reinforced concrete shearwalls configured to accommodate both lateral and vertical loads; and   providing a plurality of steel-reinforced concrete columns configured to generally accommodate only vertical loads;   wherein each story of said building comprises a floor plan defined by outer periphery;   wherein the shearwalls are configured to accommodate substantially all of the shear load and at least a portion of the vertical load subjected on said building; and   wherein the building comprises at least 3 stories; and   wherein the shearwalls and columns are located away from the outer periphery of each story's floor plan by a minimum setback so as to permit the building to receive at least one design along its exterior without interfering with the shearwalls or columns.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one design comprises an exterior skin, a cutback, a deck or another architectural element. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the building comprises between 3 and 24 stories. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein a total floor area of each floor of said building is approximately 30,000 square feet. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein each of the shearwalls is positioned generally perpendicularly relative to a portion of the outer periphery to which each of said shearwalls is closest. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the minimum setback is approximately 7 feet.