This study investigates the influence of wind load intensity on the optimal location of outrigger systems in high-rise buildings, aiming to minimize the base moment and the maximum lateral displacement. The proposed analytical model assumes uniform material properties throughout the building height and identical flexural rigidity for all outrigger levels. Analyses are conducted for four wind load intensities and structural configurations incorporating one to four outriggers. The governing mathematical formulations are derived and implemented through MATLAB-based numerical procedures to determine the optimal outrigger locations. The results demonstrate that increasing wind load intensity shifts the optimal outrigger positions toward higher elevations of the structure while reducing the vertical spacing between them. Furthermore, an increase in the flexural rigidity of the central core or a reduction in the flexural rigidity of the outriggers leads to a similar upward shift in optimal locations. It is also shown that the optimal outrigger location for minimizing base moment occurs at lower elevations compared to that required for minimizing maximum lateral displacement.
[1] Hasançebi, O., Bahçecioglu, T., Kurç, O., & Saka, M. P. (2011). Optimum design of high-rise steel buildings using an evolution strategy integrated parallel algorithm. Computers & Structures, 89 (21–22), 2037–2051. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruc.2011.05.019
[2] Zhang, Z. H., & Li, Q. S. (2023). Seismic responses of super high-rise buildings under long-period ground motions. Engineering Structures, 294, 116824. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2023.116824
[3] Wen, Z., Bai, K., Hong, H., et al. (2023). Development of locally resonant metabasement for seismic-induced vibration control of high-rise buildings. Engineering Structures, 275, 115229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2022.115229
[4] Zhou, K., & Li, Q. S. (2022). Vibration mitigation performance of active tuned mass damper in a super high-rise building during multiple tropical storms. Engineering Structures, 269, 114840. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2022.114840
[5] Alhaddad, W., Halabi, Y., Xu, H., & Lei, H. (2020). A comprehensive introduction to outrigger and belt-truss system in skyscrapers. Structures, 27, 989–998. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2020.06.028
[6] Bhandari, M., Bharti, S. D., Shrimali, M. K., & Datta, T. K. (2021). Applicability of capacity spectrum method for base-isolated building frames at different performance points. Journal of Earthquake Engineering, 25(2), 270–299. https://doi.org/10.1080/13632469.2019.1582190
[7] Bozorgnia, Y., Niazi, M., & Campbell, K. W. (1995). Characteristics of free-field vertical ground motion during the Northridge earthquake. Earthquake Spectra, 11(4), 515–525. https://doi.org/10.1193/1.1585828
[8] Shehzad, A., Yosri, A. M., Wang, X.-X., Akbar, M., Alzara, M., Siddiqui, N. A., Kashif, M., & Zaghloul, Y. (2025). A systematic review on seismic resilience in high-rise structures to enhance outrigger systems. Structures, 82, 110753. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2025.110753
[9] Zhou, Y., Zhang, C. Q., & Lu, X. L. (2016). An inter-story drift-based parameter analysis of the optimal location of outriggers in tall buildings. The Structural Design of Tall and Special Buildings, 25(5), 215–231. https://doi.org/10.1002/tal.1260
[10] Smith, B. S., & Coull, A. (1991). Tall building structures: Analysis and design. John Wiley & Sons.
[11] Malekinejad, M., & Rahgozar, R. (2011). Free vibration analysis of tall buildings with outrigger–belt truss system. Earthquake and Structures, 2(1), 89–107. https://doi.org/10.12989/eas.2011.2.1.089
[12] Wu, J., & Li, Q. S. (2003). Structural performance of multi-outrigger-braced tall buildings. The Structural Design of Tall and Special Buildings, 12(2), 155–176. https://doi.org/10.1002/tal.222
[13] Zhang, Z., Fu, X., Wang, J., & Wei, Y. (1996). Studies on structural performance of ultra-high-rise buildings with outrigger belts. Journal of Building Structures, 17(2), 2–9.
[14] Xing, L., Gardoni, P., Zhou, Y., & Zhang, P. (2023). Optimal models of outrigger locations and damping parameter for combined energy dissipation outrigger systems subject to seismic and wind loads. Journal of Building Engineering, 76, 107209. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2023.107209
[15] Kim, H.-S., Lim, Y.-J., & Lee, H.-L. (2020). Optimum location of outrigger in tall buildings using finite element analysis and gradient-based optimization method. Journal of Building Engineering, 31, 101379. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2020.101379
[16] Chen, Y., & Zhang, Z. (2018). Analysis of outrigger numbers and locations in outrigger-braced structures using a multi-objective genetic algorithm. The Structural Design of Tall and Special Buildings, 27(1), e1408. https://doi.org/10.1002/tal.1408
[17] Lee, S. B., & Tovar, A. (2014). Outrigger placement in tall buildings using topology optimization. Engineering Structures, 74, 122–129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2014.05.010
[18] Kamgar, R., & Rahgozar, R. (2017). Determination of optimum location for flexible outrigger systems in tall buildings with constant cross section using energy method. International Journal of Steel Structures, 17(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13296-016-9017-5
[19] Hoenderkamp, J. C. D. (2008). Second outrigger at optimum location on high-rise shear wall. The Structural Design of Tall and Special Buildings, 17(3), 619–634. https://doi.org/10.1002/tal.395
[21] Afshar, M. A., Taherkhani, A. H., Khanlari, B. (2025). Study on performance of various installation makeups of damped outrigger systems. Advances in Structural Engineering, 29. https://doi.org/10.1177/13694332251391468
Baygi, S., & Khazaei, A. (2026). The effect of wind intensity on the optimal location of outriggers for minimizing base moment and maximum building displacement. Numerical Methods in Civil Engineering, 10(4), 44-58. https://doi.org/10.61882/NMCE.2606.1146
MLA
Baygi, S., & Khazaei, A. "The effect of wind intensity on the optimal location of outriggers for minimizing base moment and maximum building displacement", Numerical Methods in Civil Engineering, 10, 4, 2026, 44-58. doi: 10.61882/NMCE.2606.1146
HARVARD
Baygi S., Khazaei A. (2026). 'The effect of wind intensity on the optimal location of outriggers for minimizing base moment and maximum building displacement', Numerical Methods in Civil Engineering, 10(4), pp. 44-58. doi: 10.61882/NMCE.2606.1146
CHICAGO
S. Baygi & A. Khazaei, "The effect of wind intensity on the optimal location of outriggers for minimizing base moment and maximum building displacement," Numerical Methods in Civil Engineering, 10 4 (2026): 44-58, doi: 10.61882/NMCE.2606.1146
VANCOUVER
Baygi S., Khazaei A. The effect of wind intensity on the optimal location of outriggers for minimizing base moment and maximum building displacement. Numerical Methods in Civil Engineering. 2026;10(4):44-58. doi: 10.61882/NMCE.2606.1146
