Seismic Performance Evaluation of Outrigger Systems in Irregular High-Rise Buildings: A Comprehensive State-of-the-Art Review

Author

Janki Thanki, Dr. Kalpesh Kapadiya, Dr. Prashant Bhuva, Dr. Chirag Odedra

Abstract

 Modern architectural ambition increasingly demands tall buildings with complex geometric profiles, vertical setbacks, plan asymmetries, and structural irregularities. Under severe earthquake excitations, standard shear wall-frame configurations suffer from excessive lateral sway, high inter-storey drift concentrations, and pronounced torsional coupling. Outrigger and belt truss systems provide a proven lateral load-resisting solution by coupling the central vertical core to perimeter columns, mobilizing axial push-pull force couples that reduce overturning moments by 30% to 50%. This paper delivers a comprehensive state-of-the-art review synthesizing theoretical mechanics, structural evolution, and recent empirical breakthroughs across 20 foundational and contemporary investigations. The review examines: (1) fundamental load transfer pathways and member typologies (CFST, steel X-trusses, and buckling-restrained braces); (2) performance under vertical setbacks, tilted geometries (optimal placement at 0.411H–0.489H), twisted towers, and perforated outrigger walls with corridor openings (20% critical area limit); (3) advanced analytical continuum formulations incorporating Timoshenko shear deformation, nonlinear finite element modeling (CDP constitutive laws), and emerging AI/Deep Neural Network (DNN) metamodels with SHAP interpretability; (4) multi-objective optimization covering vertical placement, relative stiffness saturation boundaries (k = 3%–6%), and structural steel member sizing; (5) dynamic vibration mitigation via fluid viscous dampers (FVD), tuned mass damper inerters (TMDI), and negative stiffness devices; and (6) regulatory seismic compliance benchmarking Indian Standards (IS 1893:2016, IS 16700:2017) against international provisions (ASCE 7-22, Eurocode 8, KDS), coupled with embodied carbon reduction (16%–22%) and post-disaster functional recovery. Key research gaps are identified to steer next-generation resilient design for irregular skyscrapers.

Keywords

Outrigger Structural Systems; Irregular High-Rise Buildings; Seismic Response Control; Inter-Storey Drift; Tilted Towers; Belt Trusses; Fluid Viscous Dampers; AI Fragility Metamodeling; IS 1893 / IS 16700; Embodied Carbon.

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References

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