The structural design for many of today’s commercial buildings is frequently focused on the building core, especially in the choice of materials used to construct it. Usually a fixed programming zone that does not obstruct things like views and mechanical equipment placement, the building core is a convenient place to satisfy the structure’s wind and seismic requirements.
While the choice of building material for the core is dependent upon a variety of factors—including the height of the building, the size of the floor plate, and site logistics—a strong argument can be made for choosing steel-braced cores over their concrete alternatives.
Read “The Core of the Matter: Leveraging steel-braced cores for material savings, expedited construction, and simplified trade coordination” and take the online test via Architectural Record‘s Continuing Education Center.