Some structures are recognized worldwide for their extraordinary strength and adaptability. They have been built to endure potential incidents, extreme weather, and natural calamities.
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1. Taipei 101, Taipei, Taiwan
This tower, which reached a height of 1,667 feet, is located in Taiwan, which is prone to typhoons and is only 660 feet away from a significant fault line. Fortunately, a hydraulic cylinder-supported 730-ton mass absorber with an 18-foot diameter is positioned near the structure's summit to counteract abrupt and violent earth movement.
2. Torre Mayor, Mexico City, Mexico
With a height of 738 feet, this office skyscraper can withstand an earthquake measuring 8.5 on the Richter Scale, making it one of the most earthquake-resistant buildings on the planet. When it was finished in 2003, it was the tallest building in Latin America. This structure not only withstood a 7.6-magnitude earthquake unscathed, but its 96 diamond-shaped dampers were so effective that occupants did not even perceive the swaying.
3. One World Trade, New York
With a height of 1,776 feet, the World Trade Center has the distinction of being the tallest structure in the Western Hemispheres. It is necessary for the building to withstand strong winds, but the most challenging aspect of the structure is using reinforced concrete in a fortress-like manner. Accordingly, the base is made of concrete and stands at 185 feet. It is designed to withstand explosions and other attacks that occur at ground level.
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4. CCTV Building, Beijing, China
Although the CCTV building can withstand an earthquake of magnitude eight, it has to deal with its architectural design. Due to its cantilevered structural design, the building is subjected to a significant amount of pressure from gravity and other lateral pressures. By redistributing these loads across the surface of the building, an external diagrid exoskeleton ensures that the structure will remain standing in virtually any conditions that can be anticipated.
5. Shanghai Tower, China
Shanghai, located in the eastern part of China, is at risk of hurricanes and flooding because of its location. When Typhoon Haikui struck this region of the country in 2012, it caused widespread power outages and caused significant disruptions to transportation. Architects have modified the Shanghai Tower to be more resistant to any natural disasters that may occur in the future.
As mentioned, having a height of 2,073 feet, the structure is likely to be particularly vulnerable to destruction brought on by exceptionally high wind speeds. On the other hand, the building's distinctive triangular shape, which achieves a twist of 120 degrees as it rises, lessens the impact of high winds by 24% and almost guarantees that the structure will remain upright. The Shanghai Tower was reportedly constructed using 25% less steel than other skyscrapers of comparable size, which makes this achievement even more remarkable.
6. Public Safety Building, Salt Lake City, Utah
Experts have been forecasting that Salt Lake City will be struck by 'the big one,' a probable earthquake of seven or more magnitudes that can destroy the city. When the architects were designing the Public Safety Building, they kept this potential catastrophe in their minds. Not only will this skyscraper, which cost $125 million, be able to resist a massive earthquake of 7.5 magnitudes structurally, but it will also continue to function normally after the earthquake has passed.
Furthermore, solid structures and massive concrete blocks called dampers make the building sturdy enough to withstand earthquakes and flexible enough to ride off shocks. This ensures that none of the building's contents will be harmed in any way, as all internal barriers and equipment have been engineered to withstand the same forces. When it comes to earthquakes, this structure is a haven for people.
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