Various Types of Buildings

This chapter discusses different types of buildings and building occupancy classifications. Building occupancy classifications refer to categorizing structures based on their usage and are primarily used for building and fire code enforcement. They are usually defined by model building codes. According to their use and occupancy, the IBC (2015) classifies buildings into 11 categories. ¹ Building occupancy classifications refer to categorizing structures based on their usage and are primarily used for building and fire code enforcement. They are usually defined by model building codes. Tall buildings have always been an expression of dreams, power and technical advancement. Urbanization of major cities of the world has made the construction of tall buildings very viable for residential and business use. The structural system consists of concrete slab as horizontal diaphragm and moment resisting framed structure or shear walls structure or braced frames tubular structures or bundled tubes or outrigger system or buttressed core to resist the lateral and gravity load. The final optimized design should address the strength and stability along with serviceability and human comfort.