Grid tube structures in tall buildings

In order to extend the application of tube structures,a new tube structure,i.e.,a grid tube structure,was developed as the exterior structure for tall buildings subjected to simultaneous vertical and lateral loads.The structure is a reticulated structure assembled as a surrounding mesh.The structural framing is composed of the main and subordinate components,such as diagrid columns and ring beams.Various geometric tube shapes can be used to form unusual configurations.Analysis of a design example shows how to calculate the larger overall stiffness of the grid tube structure and the advantages of the grid tube structure.