A skyscraper is a tall, continuously habitable building of over 40 floors, mostly designed for office, commercial and residential uses. A skyscraper can also be called a high-rise, but the term skyscraper is often used for buildings higher than 150 m (492 ft)

Construction Construction TechnologyTechnology

Foundations

Skyscrapers are very heavy, therefore we need to have a solid foundation. Why?How do we stop this from happening?

Start on BEDROCK!

Even though the foundation has started on bedrock, we still need to spread the weight; just to be safe.

How can we do this?

Typically, they use SPREAD FOOTING.

Spread Footing

EarthquakesMany skyscrapers are built in cities that have fault lines underneath.There have been many disasters due to earthquakes.

How do we minimize damage?

We use damping systems!

Skyscrapers are built a little more flexible.

Flexibility allows the structure to twist and turn a little without breaking and/or crumbling.

If the skyscrapers were rigid, pieces would snap off easily in an earthquake.

ALSO…

Also…Glass is attached using rubber channels.

This allows the glass to move a little bit. It has a lower change of breaking in an earthquake.

Cross-bracing is sometimes used.

Most of the weight is transferred to the center supports.

Most of the weight is transferred to the outer supports.

What is the tallest skyscraper?Burj Khalifa

(Burj Dubai)

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Stories:160 Inhabitable + 46 Maintenance

Overall Height: 2,717 ft

Highest Point of Occupancy: 2,038 ft

Began: 2004

Completed: January 2010

Elevators: 57 (40 MPH)

Architect: Adrian Smith

Cost: 1.5 Billion

Over 2000ft. high!!

First and Oldest

First skyscraperHome Insurance Building

Location: ChicagoHeight: 138 feet

Stories: 121885-1931

Oldest Still StandingMilwaukee City Hall

Location: MilwaukeeHeight: 353Stories: 151895 - ?