Comparative Design of Steel Moment-Resisting Frames vs. RC Shear Wall Systems with Piled Foundations and Buoyancy Mitigation

This solution compares two structural schemes for a multi-storey building featuring car parking, a basement, and a pool. Scheme 1 utilizes a steel moment-resisting frame with metal deck slabs and a raft foundation. Scheme 2 employs an RC framed system with shear walls, cores, and a piled foundation.

Key engineering challenges addressed include lateral stability under wind loads, large 24m spans via transfer beams and trusses, and critical buoyancy/uplift mitigation due to rising water levels. Detailed calculations cover metal deck slab design, secondary and primary castellated beam sizing, RC flat slab serviceability (deflection and punching shear), shear wall passive earth pressure, and pile capacity for compression and tension. Deliverables include structural sections, plan layouts, and a client advisory letter.