Evaluating the Impact of Skybridge on the Analysis, Design, and BIM Integration of a Multi-Tower Structure: A Case Study in Laboratory Building Construction

A well-designed structure that goes through proper construction stages will reduce the risk of losses that may be apparent in construction work. Consequently, the development of BIM technology becomes a solution for achieving it through the ability of information integration that it offers. In this study, analysis and design of a multi-tower structure are conducted with BIM usage during the design process. The study is carried out by redesigning two structures that have been separately designed previously, namely Tower Laboratory and Hangar Laboratory, with a skybridge connecting them. The study is started by joining both structures without any changes in element sizes to compare the changes in the structural behavior consistently. The study is then continued by doing design evaluations on the connected structure with response spectrum and time history analyses. BIM integration is then used to obtain concrete and bar volumes necessary for cost calculations. The results show that two separate structures will have changes in their dynamic behaviors when they are connected, which will affect their design especially in resisting lateral forces like earthquake load. Conclusively, a maximum change of 27,96% for Tower Laboratory and 31.77% for Hangar Laboratory was found when the two structures are subjected to Kocaeli ground motion with skybridge connecting them. Efficiency of total structural cost by 2.2047% was achieved for Tower Laboratory and 0.5523% for Hangar Laboratory with the use of time history analysis. Further, this study shows the potential of BIM in helping structural designs process despite its imperfections and further developments needed.