Structural System; Standard Oil of Indiana Building (T.R. Higgins Award)

Abstract

This paper, which documents the structural design of the Standard Oil of Indiana Building in Chicago, Ill., is presented for several reasons. First, the building is one of the worlds tallest—for a while, the second or third highest. Second, and perhaps of most importance, the structural concept is unique. It incorporates innovations in both design concepts and details that have resulted in economy in the total building cost by reducing tonnage of steel used in the structural frame, by simplifying fabrication techniques, and by speeding the erection process. Furthermore, the structural concept provides for incorporation of the supply ducts and piping for the mechanical system within the same volume as the structure, furthering economy of the building. This paper and its companion papers are presented to document the main structural considerations involved in the design of one of the major office buildings of the world. The designers believe they have conceived and developed a unique structural system that is not only economic in terms of steel tonnage used, but also economic in terms of fabrication and erection procedures. The concept as described is light in steel tonnage in comparison to buildings of comparable height, and it introduces innovations in fabrication and erection techniques that may be less costly than other concepts currently being used.