Structural Design of Transamerica Pyramid - Essay Example

The western wing on the other hand contains the stairwell and smoke tower. The base of the building has an intertwined truss system that helps in enhancing the stability of the entire structure in case of any earthquake. The building also has an X-bracing on the top, which assists in resisting torsion movement about the vertical axis of the building (Irvine).

The construction process of the Transamerica Pyramid involved the use of various materials deemed as of great quality. Before lying of the first material, the point where the building stands was excavated to a depth of 52 feet. The bottom of the building has complicated system of steel rod reinforcements exceeding 300 miles thickness. About 16000 cubic yards of solid concrete covers the system of the reinforced steel rods. The entire base concrete of the Transamerica Pyramid is in such a way that the entire building moves in case of earthquake.

The movement helps in distributing the shockwaves thus reducing damages (EMPROIS). The external parts of the Transamerica Pyramid are fixed with aggregates of quartz that form panels. There are also some rods designed to reinforce the panels at four points on every floor. There is also systematic spacing of the panels that helps in ensuring lateral movement of the building in case of earthquake or tremor. The panels comprises of aluminum louvered structures. The louvered aluminum panels projects to the top to form a 64 meters high spire (EMPROIS).

The 48th floor of the building has conference room that provides 360-degree aerial view of the city. The entire external part of the building is white in color. I am always attracted to Transamerica Pyramid because of numerous features the building exhibits. First, I have found it fantastic to explore how the fifth floor of the building happen to be the largest floor and not the first or the second. Logically thinking and considering the shape of the building, the largest floor ought to be the first as the trend narrow upwards.

Second, the pyramidal shape of the building allows immense and sufficient natural light to penetrate into the city making the surrounding region to be properly lighted and ventilated. Third, the 48th floor that is somewhat open and provides 360 degrees aerial view angle enables one to explore every feature of the city and even the surrounding environments. Fourth, I like the building because of its ability to sustain high magnitude of earthquake that makes it save lives and reduce damages. The Transamerican Pyramid: Structural Design and Material use analysis Picture courtesy of Irvine Tom, 2002: http://www.vibrationdata.com/earthquakes/Pyramid.htm