Final Report

The following document represents a student's year-long investigation of the California Tower with a particular focus on the structural system. The purpose of this report is to understand the existing systems, to determine areas for potential improvement, and lastly to compare the existing system with the proposed design. The scope of the report can be divided into two parts.

 

The first part of the report includes technical commentary on the existing structural system of the California Tower, excluding the nine stories podium structure that is separated from the tower. Other physical features of the building that affect the building's structure will also be discussed in the first part of the report. The second part of the report focuses on potential ways to improve the performance of the structural system and related topics in other areas of architectural engineering (e.g. construction management and building enclosures). By addressing how the structural component interacts with other components of the building will further enhance the overall understanding of the building. The executive summary and full report are provided below.