Skyscrapers are arguably impressive, excessive, essential and ubiquitous in the intense landscapes of contemporary global cities. As a typology these towers are unparalleled in their costs, demands, parameters and presence. Perhaps more so than any region on the planet, the realities, including both remarkable challenges and outstanding opportunities, of building tall is illustrated and demonst...

ABSTRACT: We apply CFD to visualize wind flow around a row of three square-plan tall buildings closely arranged in a row. Increase in wind load on the upwind building is observed when wind blows to the row at 30. CFD results show that the interference mechanism is mainly due by strong channeling of wind flow through the building gaps. This leads to highly negative pressures on building walls fa...

This paper presents the application of the genetic algorithm to the design of some common concrete structures in Hong Kong, namely, tall reinforced concrete building frameworks, long-span concrete portal frames and prestressed concrete beams or bridges using spreadsheet. Cross-sectional dimensions of member groups are treated as discrete design variables and the method aims to minimize the weig...

Sustainable tall buildings that provide comfortable, healthy and efficient indoor environments are clearly desirable as the densification of living and working space for the world’s increasing population proceeds. For environmental concerns, these buildings must also be energy efficient. One component of these tasks is the provision of indoor air quality and thermal comfort, which can be enhanc...

Sustainable tall buildings that provide comfortable, healthy and efficient indoor environments are clearly desirable as the densification of living and working space for the world’s increasing population proceeds. For environmental concerns, these buildings must also be energy efficient. One component of these tasks is the provision of indoor air quality and thermal comfort, which can be enhanc...

Buildings constructed from engineered timber are becoming more prevalent globally as building designers, owners and architects realize the sustainability opportunities with timber construction and the overall aesthetic of a completed timber building. As timber buildings are planned to be taller than many model codes permit, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Fire Protection Foundat...