A Comprehensive Review of the Seismic Performance, Analysis, and Design of Transfer Girder Systems in High-Rise Buildings

Abstract

Modern architectural trends demanding large, open-plan lower levels in high-rise buildings have necessitated the widespread
use of transfer girder systems to support floating columns. While enabling design flexibility, these systems introduce significant seismic vulnerabilities, including abrupt stiffness irregularities that can lead to soft-story mechanisms and force concentrations. This paper presents a comprehensive review of existing literature on the seismic performance of transfer girder systems in multi-story reinforced concrete buildings. It systematically synthesizes research on the classification and performance hierarchy of various transfer systems, including girders, slabs, and trusses. The review critically examines key aspects of seismic behavior, analytical methods from linear to advance nonlinear analysis, and design mitigation strategies such as the integration of shear walls and bracing. Key findings from the literature confirm a distinct performance hierarchy, with trusses showing superior seismic response. The vertical location of the transfer floor is identified as a critical design parameter, with placement at 20-30% of the total building height yielding optimal performance.
Furthermore, the economic benefits of adopting a life-cycle cost approach over initial cost-based design are highlighted. The review
concludes that current design codes lack specific provisions for these complex systems, creating a critical gap between practice and
regulation. It outlines future research directions, emphasizing the need to explore advanced materials, resilience-based design paradigms, and innovative optimization techniques to build safer and more efficient structures.