CNN said reinforced concrete materials, solid foundations, large columns surrounding the perimeter and damping pendulums helped Taiwan’s tallest Taipei 101 tower stand firm during the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that occurred. last April 3.
According to estimates from the Taiwan Fire Department, the earthquake damaged 770 structures. A series of buildings in Taipei city, more than 120km from the epicenter, also shook violently. Several videos showed the more than 500-meter-tall Taipei 101 tower swaying slightly, but the structural flexibility successfully resisted the strong movements created by the earthquake.
Combining compression-resistant concrete with good tensile steel, reinforced concrete materials ensure the tower is flexible enough to sway but also stiff enough to resist high winds. In particular, above the Taipei 101 tower, there is a giant steel ball that plays an extremely important role. Suspended by 92 thick cables between the 87th and 92nd floors, the ball can move about 1.5m in any direction, so it acts like a pendulum to counteract or reduce the swinging motion.
Urban design professor Stefan Al (Hunter University) explains: “Basically the sphere is a huge counterweight. When a structure vibrates, the damping pendulum absorbs the kinetic energy by moving in the opposite direction.”
Damping pendulums are equipped in many skyscrapers around the world, such as the Steinway tower in New York or the Burj al-Arab hotel in Dubai. They primarily protect buildings from “harmonic vibrations” that can cause structural damage during an earthquake.
Designed by Taiwanese company CYLee & Partners, Taipei 101 held the title of tallest tower in the world from 2004 to 2007 before being surpassed by Burj Khalifa (Dubai). The observatory overlooking the damped pendulum is now a tourist attraction, especially when it moves due to strong winds.
660 ton damped pendulum – Photo: CNN
The tallest tower in Taiwan does not only possess “treasures”. Taipei also has a solid foundation with 380 reinforced concrete piles buried deep in the rock below. The core of the building is connected to a large column surrounded by a giant steel truss.
Because it is located on many fault lines, Taiwan cannot avoid earthquakes. Therefore, this autonomous island constantly draws on experience from countless disasters in the region and other countries to build a set of strict construction standards. Earthquake resistance has been included in construction standards since 1974.