Architecture and structural design of a five storey apartment building Case of Kigali City

Abstract

This dissertation explores the complexities of designing a five-story apartment building in Kigali City, Rwanda. In the context of global urbanization and population growth, making the most of available land becomes crucial; this study addresses the urgent need for efficient housing, especially in densely populated places like Kigali. The research aimed to contribute to Rwanda's development by creating a well-planned apartment structure with efficient space use following regulations. The study looks at both how the building is designed and how it's structurally designed, taking into account practical use, visual appeal, safety, and economic viability. By using Archicad software for designing and British Standard codes for structural planning. The results showed that the architectural design of the apartment building is composed by five stories and a non-accessible roof at the top. The building had an height of 18 meters, a length of 26.6 meters and a width of 20 meters and features critical elements such as a 5.8m*4.4m slab panel, a 17.2m long beam, a 40cm*40cm column, and a 2.5m*2.5m footing. The structural design of this project showed that the design of the slab provided has a 15 cm thickness with bars of 16 mm diameter top reinforcements spaced at 200mm and 16 mm diameter bottom steel reinforcements spaced at 200mm. While for critical beam the designed steel reinforcements were 2T16 at the top distribution steel reinforcements and 3T16 at bottom and all of the bars were tied up with 8mm links spaced at 200mm. And for column the designed steel reinforcement were 6T25 from ground floor to first story,4T25 from the first to second floor and 4T16 from second to fifth floor and all of the bars were tied up with 8mm links spaced at 200mm. While for stair the designed steel reinforcement were T12 at 300mm within the flight and T12 at 100mm within the landing. The concrete pad footing had bars of 16mm reinforcements in all direction spaced at 150mm. The proposed building had an overall of 20 living rooms,20 dining rooms, 35 bathrooms, 40 bedrooms and 20 kitchens which led to an overall estimated cost of to One billion, four hundred twentythree million, nine hundred thirty-four thousand (1.423.934,000) Rwandan francs. The successful conclusion of the study project offers a potential solution to housing difficulties, land management, and contributing to an improved standard of living in the region.