structural design

The ultimate skyscraper is becoming a reality

A key innovation in building the ultimate skyscraper is making the buildings progressively more and more intelligent…

The building on the video is the 70-storey Trump Tower which according to its structural engineer, Ahmad Rahimian is currently the world’s tallest residential tower. It’s 862 feet high or about 263 meters. In order to build a building of that height, there were a lot of new technologies introduced into the building. A key innovation is how it deals with wind, it does more than just resist it. It actually cancels it out. How does it cancel it out? By using an ingenious device called Tuned Mass Damper. A tuned mass damper is in effect a huge counterweight, a massive 600 tonne block of solid steel surrounded by shock absorbers. The device cancel the wind pressures that apply to the building and suppress the building’s motion.

In 100 years, skyscrapers like the Trump Tower have expanded to 1o-storey bricks to 100+storey steel. All of the skyscraper’s weight is eventually transferred down to the ground, this ultimately takes the strain. The buildings of the modern skyscraper begins out of sight, deep below the earth. Today’s skyscrapers can have foundations more than 100-feet deep but the nature of the ground they rest upon is a crucial factor.

But the big change is still to come. We are going to see buildings in the future  progressively become more and more intelligent. The next level of technology is going to be 100+ storeys using active control systems. This technology is already well and truly integrated into our cars, anti-lock brake system, traction control etc. It’s just a matter of time before it becomes standard features to our buildings.

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Progress report: Rydeview Development, Sydney

The Rydeview development is positioned ideally on Devlin Street, Ryde a short walk to the prestigious Top Ryde City Shopping Centre and close to major transport routes, Victoria Road and Silverwater Road. It comprises 23 one-, two- and three-bed apartments and two shop units over five levels with three levels of car parking with convenient access off Belmore Lane. All apartments have an integrated alarm system, NBN connection and are fully air-conditioned, with modern interior designed decorations and European kitchen and bathroom fittings.

The Project Manager role is appointed to AREA3, The Lead Architect is Robert del Pizzo of Architex. Engineering services are by EMF Griffiths and structural design by ACSES Engineers.

Following a competitive tender, leading contractor, YTO Constructions were appointed and commenced work on site in September 2016. The project has recently poured all basement levels and main structural levels up to level seven. It is due to be completed in November 2017.

 

 

 

Reprinted with permission from AREA3. Original post here.

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