Designing service cores and vertical transportation systems in high rise buildings

The service core that provides space for accommodating plumbing, mechanical and electrical installations as well as equipments of vertical circulation, gains great importance due to these vital functions it has. It is also significant in building economy. Hence, this study deals with the service core in high-rise buildings and the vertical circulation systems inside the core. In the first chapter of this study, the theme, the purpose and the method of the study is explained. In the second chapter, the definition of the service core, the elements inside it and general informations are given about the factors affecting the service core design and the plannings in the light of these factors are also explained. In the third chapter, how the construction of high-rise buildings is accelerated due to the mechanization of circulation and the invention of elevators are examined by mentioning the circulation process. The net usable floor area reduces as the height of the buildings increases with the expanding service core space. Different elevator systems are applied vertically as a solution to this problem. The third chapter is dedicated to the explanation of elevator systems, have primary importance in providing vertical circulation in high-rise buildings, in the service cores. In the conclusion part, data about service cores and elevators are explained with tables by analyzing some examples of high-rise buildings which have different transportation systems. Results about floor plan efficiency and vertical transportation organization from tables are expressed by emphasizing the importance of the examined subject in the study. Key Words : High-rise building, service core, vertical circulation system, elevators-escalators