Multi-unit residential construction continues to see an increasing demand for living units above a one- or two-story podium. The demand is primarily driven by maximizing residential unit density within permissible building heights for a particular construction type. Architecturally, the podium’s primary purpose is a horizontal separation between different occupancies, creating open space for parking, retail, or amenity space on the lower floor(s). Yet, for the structural engineer, the podium level is expected to transfer significant loads from the density of the program above the podium to a different structural system below. While “stick-built” construction is historically wood-framed, the prevalence of cold-formed steel is increasing the structural demands on the podium level due to the ability to construct as many as ten stories of residential (Figure 1). While the design focus is often the structural efficiency of the residential units, due consideration is required for a properly designed, detailed, and constructed podium structure.
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