5 Innovative Materials and Techniques for Vertical Buildings By Max Shafer
Building materials and techniques continue to improve with advances in engineering and evolving design sensibilities. With that said, what is effective and stylish for a typical two-story structure may not apply to skyscrapers and other high-rise structures, which must work with some special considerations. For example, high-rises must adhere to a more complex set of safety codes, and they cover a vast amount of square footage, which will have residual implications in terms of long-term sustainability. To help navigate these waters, contractors, architects, and design pro - fessionals can consider any of the following innovative materials and techniques that can help in the construction of vertical buildings. 1. Tilt Up Framing When constructing a vertical building, it can be challenging to keep materials proximate to the build site, as there is not enough horizontal sprawl to accommodate the vertical square footage of the structure. This is a particular issue for framing, as precast panels often have to be transported on an as-need basis due to the on-site shortage of storage. To avoid this dilemma, contractors can use an innovative tilt wall construction process. Rather than hauling precast panels to the job site, contractors can pour the panels on the construction floor and use a crane to hoist them once set. For those concerned that tilt-up walls may not provide the stability that precast steel beams offer, consider that most contemporary tilt-up panels are composed of a combination of concrete, steel reinforcement, insulation, air barriers, vapor barriers, and furring strips, guaranteeing that the building is made of the most durable, disaster-proof material available. 2. Aluminum Facade Most tall buildings have traditionally been fabricated from some type of steel. While steel is undoubtedly tough, advances in engineering have discovered that its weight becomes an issue in the event of struc - tural breaches. Therefore, lightweight alternatives are readily being explored, with aluminum being one of the most exciting options in this realm. Among the benefits of using aluminum for tall buildings include: • An easy extrusion process that makes it possible to obtain any type of shape or profile to meet the specifications of a wide range of facades, ensuring performance and optional aesthetics • Outstanding mechanical performance that reacts well to stress, either from the weight of the subjects entering the
structure or from exterior stresses such as thermal fluctuations, heavy winds, or earthquakes • An ability to mitigate internal and external exchanges, helping ensure the comfort of internal occupants in the face of a wide
range of exterior conditions 3. Architectural Shading
Modern construction techniques look for ways to leverage the benefits of natural sunlight. While skyscrapers definitely try to capitalize on this trend, the sun glaring down on dozens of south-facing windows all day long can create some comfort and functionality issues within the building. Therefore, modern skyscrapers are using innovative sun control de - vices to help mitigate these concerns. While architectural shading still allows the flow of natural sunlight into the building, it can provide a buffer to reduce glare and help keep air conditioning costs from spiral - ing out of control during the warmer seasons of the year. 4. Carbon-Fiber Hoisting When building on a skyscraper’s upper floors, materials often have to be transported via lift or elevator. The issue with this process is that most single-shaft elevators are limited to a height of 500 meters before
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csengineermag.com
November 2021
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