The advanced technologies required to build taller and taller buildings do not come cheap. In Taiwan's Taipei 101 skyscraper, for example, a giant pendulum system in the top floors swings the opposite way of prevailing winds to prevent damage in the case of a typhoon. Even more impressive technologies exist in the tallest buildings. Many modern skyscraper designs feature wind-resistant features that make them more aerodynamic. Modern skyscrapers use a variety of technologies to battle the wind. For starters, buildings must be designed to withstand the ferocious winds that exist at those heights. How tall can buildings go? No one knows for sure, but there are certain factors that tend to limit buildings from reaching a mile high or more. As science and technology continue to advance, architects will likely continue to push the envelope when it comes to building tall skyscrapers. Will buildings continue to get taller and taller into the future? It's possible. When completed, it will surpass the Burj Khalifa by more than 500 feet, rising a full kilometer to 3,280 feet! ![]() Saudi Arabia is already hard at work constructing the Kingdom Tower in Jeddah. Unfortunately for the Dubai giant, it might not retain that title much longer. Standing more than a half-mile tall at an impressive 2,722 feet, the Burj Khalifa features a luxury hotel, apartments, and corporate offices in its 163 floors. So where is the world's tallest building today? As of January 4, 2010, the title belongs to the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. For example, the Empire State Building in New York City and the Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower) in Chicago have both held that title in the past. If you live in the United States, you know that there are some famous skyscrapers in Chicago and New York that have once held the title of world's tallest building. If you ever get the chance to ride an elevator all the way to the top floor of a skyscraper, you'll be rewarded with a magnificent view. From the ground looking up, they do seem to stretch all the way up to scrape the surface of the sky. Skyscraper is a very descriptive term for these buildings that stretch way high up into the sky. If you don't, however, you might have only seen skyscrapers on a vacation to a big city or simply on television. What's that? Up there in the sky! Is it a bird? Or a plane? No! It's a skyscraper! Have you ever seen a skyscraper up close? If you live in big city, there's a good chance you've probably seen many skyscrapers.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |