Wired Magazine looks at a new book visualizing the effect of skyscrapers.

Kate Ascher’s 2005 book, The Works: Anatomy of a City, was essentially a wiring diagram of the city of New York—every city, really—intricately detailing the mechanics of urban infrastructure. (You’ll never be more enthralled by a sewage-system infographic.) Now Ascher’s back with another eye-widening piece of illustrated deconstruction, this one on the most enduring symbol of city life—The Heights: Anatomy of a Skyscraper. “I love the complexity of cities and their total dependence on the invisible systems that keep them running. Skyscrapers are cities in the sky,” she says. The Heights features more than 200 pages of explanations, diagrams, and remarkable stories. It wasn’t easy to pick just one, but we aimed high.

Photo credit

Fast Company looks at Saudi Arabia’s bid for tallest building in the world.

Saudi Arabia is set to shatter the record for the tallest building in the world, with a slender, asymmetrical spire that rises at least 3,280 feet in the air — more than twice the size of the Willis Tower, the tallest building in the United States, and 568 feet higher than the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.

The $1.2 billion Kingdom Tower will be built in north Jeddah, the major urban center of western Saudi and an historic gateway to Mecca just off the shores of the Red Sea. The building, by Chicago-based Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture (Smith also designed the Burj Khalifa while at SOM), pairs new developments in skyscraper technology with a sleek, “three-petal” form inspired by the folded fronts of young desert plant growth. “The way the fronds sprout upward from the ground as a single form, then start separating from each other at the top, is an analogy of new growth fused with technology,” Gill says.

The tower’s got a slick, aerodynamic shape with tapering wings that’ll help slash structural loading caused by the wind. A high-performance facade is expected to reduce energy consumption, and notches in each of the skyscraper’s three “petals” will create pockets of shade, shielding occupants from the harsh desert sun and providing outdoor terraces with views of Jeddah and the Red Sea.

Photo credit: Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture

Guest Post by Eve Hinman, Hinman Consulting Engineers

Sometime in 2009 I decided that I wanted to have a greater impact on influencing policy at a high governmental level.  I wrote down my thoughts and did some planning around it. I had no idea how it was going to manifest itself or what my message would be. Then one day, out of the blue, congressional staffer called and asked me to be an expert witness testifying to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was an interesting topic that I had some opinions about dealing with the cost of implementation of DoD standards for buildings that are not on military installations.

The instructions I received from the staffer were sparse. I was told to write approximately three pages summarizing my position on the topic and prepare for speaking about five minutes in smallish room with a few people. He told me it was not intimidating. He made it sound like having a chat with a few people who were interested about the topic at hand.

Like any good engineer, I took these directions literally. The reality was a bit different – a few pieces of additional information would have been helpful. It is true that only a couple Subcommittee members were present. However, the Chair of the Subcommittee was there, sitting ten feet above the panels at the top of a steep seating area for the subcommittee members. About 25 people were in the audience, and about three subcommittee people were there. There were three panels. I was on the last panel. Each panelist’s testimony was timed using a light on the table that would start blinking when it was time to wrap up. The entire hearing was filmed and eventually posted on the Committee website.

The Chair of the main Committee gave opening remarks. He had an impressive white mane of hair and was dramatically eloquent and knowledgeable about federal construction.

The panel before mine included representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers who were yelled at by the Chair person for quite a long time. They looked like whipped puppies as they left the room. One of the panelists who I had been chatting with during a break leaned over and whispered ‘good luck’ to me as he walked out.

I felt very small, sitting at the bottom of the seating area looking up at the Chair sitting at a table with two other experts. For some reason the Chair reacted strongly to my testimony and I got an earful about how much money it was costing the American taxpayers to construct these buildings to meet DoD standards.  I totally agreed with her, but I was confused by why she was yelling so loud. I nodded and smiled when she was talking which seem to encourage her to continue her tirade.

Here are some things I learned from this experience that I would like to pass along to anyone who is testifying for the first time:

• Include a short biography of yourself and your firm in the written and verbal testimony. This struck me as self-promoting but it helps the listeners understand who you are and what authority you have to speak on the subject at hand.
• Write down your verbal testimony to read when you are there. This is a shortened version of the original written version submitted.
• Include some concise facts that strongly support your case, which the staffer can pass on to the committee. The Chair did cite one thing I wrote. I found it reassuring that some condensed version of the testimony had resonated with the subcommittee.
• Use formal language when speaking to the Chair. For instance for a woman Chair the language would be “Madame Chairwoman…”. Do this preceding everything you say.  Casual comments are not appropriate (I corrected the Chair when I was referred to as an architect not an engineer which was probably not appropriate).
• Keep a poker face at all times because you are being filmed. I have an unfortunate habit of smiling when I am uncomfortable. This can unnecessarily upset those who are already upset. Also, expect a fair amount of grandstanding by Committee members with opinions.
• Look up at the camera at the top of the seating area as you speak. Otherwise, the video will show the top of your head and not a lot else.
• There can be a long line getting into Congressional buildings so come early. Also, expect a lot of waiting around and sitting through a lot of other people talking beforehand. I waited over 2 hours before they got around to me.
• Congressional buildings are enormous with double loaded corridors that all look alike. Become familiar with the layout and remember the path you took to get to the room. I got totally lost when I finally left the building at about 6:00pm. It took me about a half hour to get out and for a few minutes I got into a panic thinking that I may never get out.
• If possible, truncate the film posted on the congressional committee website to isolate your portion of the session so you can use it on Youtube or your website.

Enjoy it!  It is your 15 minutes in the limelight and it feels good to know that you have contributed to making a difference in the world.

–

Eve Hinman is the president and founder of Hinman Consulting Engineers and pioneered the field of blast engineering. In 1983, she became one of the first structural engineers in the United States to take on this highly specialized design work, when the bombings of the U.S. embassy and Marine Barracks in Beirut brought to the attention of the Federal government the need for anti-terrorism solutions. Since then she has designed nuclear missile silos, NATO military facilities, industrial buildings subject to accidental explosions, and civilian buildings vulnerable to terrorist attack. Hinman received her doctorate in Engineering Mechanics, and her MS and BS in Civil Engineering from Columbia University.

Hinman writes about engineering topics at the Hinman Pulse.

–

The views, opinions, positions or strategies expressed by guest authors are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or positions of Armstrong Forensic Engineers or any employee thereof. Armstrong Forensic Engineers makes no representations as to accuracy, timeliness, or suitability of any information in a guest post.

Photo credit

William Yardley and the New York Times examines the common themes of politics, development, city planning, the environment, traffic, and how to move forward. The issue at hand: the Alaskan Way Viaduct:

For a decade, since a 2001 earthquake exposed the viaduct’s vulnerability, this ambitious but frequently indecisive city has been debating what to do about it. In 2009, the city, county and state came up with a plan to replace the viaduct with a $3.1 billion, 1.7-mile tunnel that would run beneath downtown skyscrapers and behind a seawall protecting it from Puget Sound. In a city inclined to dither, something was getting done.

Then came the 2009 mayoral race. Greg Nickels, the man who had pushed the tunnel plan through, was seeking a third term. “My calculus was that this is the kind of thing that it’s O.K. to lose an election over,” Mr. Nickels said recently.

Mr. McGinn, a former state chairman of the Sierra Club, centered his campaign on opposition to the tunnel. (At a time when greenhouse gas emissions threaten our very existence, he asked, why build something that encourages driving?) Never mind that the tunnel had, at long last, appeared to be a done deal. Mr. McGinn said that instead of a tunnel he wanted to replace the viaduct with a surface boulevard and new public transit options.

With polls tight in the final weeks before the general election, Mr. McGinn hedged, saying he would not necessarily stand in the tunnel’s way. Now that he is in office, he is back to fighting it.

Photo credit

The Cirque du Soleil entertainment company is famous for some of the world’s best performers, musicians, and stage productions. They also have a legacy for some of the world’s most remarkable engineering projects. Take for example, the 150-ton hydraulic stage they commissioned for the MGM Grand Show ‘KA‘. The marvel was reviewed in Hydraulics & Pneumatics magazine. McLaren Engineering Group and Atlantic Industrial Technologies made it a reality.

It was the task of Atlantic to design a hydraulic system that would lift a structure weighing more than a Boeing 757 at a speed of 2 fps. It would have to decelerate in 1.5 sec, position to 0.10-in. repeatability, and withstand the changing center of gravity caused by the stage tilting and rotating. The first priority in all aspects of the project was the safety of the artists.

The stage, called the Sand Cliff Deck, accompanies the twins all throughout the 90-minute tale. It begins as an ancient ship emerging from the depths of the theatre, transforms into a vertical battleground, and then an ice glacier as projected images bring the stage to life. The Sand Cliff Deck is the largest of several moving performance spaces in the show. It weighs approximately 80,000 lb; combined, the support structure and Sand Cliff Deck weigh 350,000 lb.

Photo credit

Despite the global recession, skyscrapers are still in vogue like the Shanghai Tower (above) by Gensler that boasts, “This super-tall, 632-meter tower will be sited in the heart of Shanghai’s Lujiazui Finance and Trade Zone, adjacent to the Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai World Financial Center. As the most prominent icon on the city’s skyline, Shanghai Tower’s transparent spiral form will showcase cutting-edge sustainable strategies and public spaces that set a new standard for green community.”

The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat list the World’s Tallest Buildings Under Construction:

1. India Tower; Mumbai; 2,362 feet, 125 floors; Foster and Partners
2. Ping An International Finance Center Tower 1; Shenzhen; 2,165 feet, 115 floors; Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF)
3. Shanghai Tower; Shanghai; 2,074 feet, 128 floors; Gensler
4. Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel; Makkah, Saudia Arabia; 1,972 feet, 95 floors; Dar Al-Handasah Architects
5. Goldin Finance 117; Tianjin; 1,959 feet, 117 floors; P&T Group
6. Doha Convention Center Tower; Doha; 1,808 feet, 112 floors; Murphy/Jahn
7. One World Trade Center; NYC; 1,776 feet, 105 floors; David Childs/SOM
8. Chow Tai Fook Centre; Guangzhou; 1,739 feet, 116 floors; KPF
9. Dalian Greenland Center; Dalian, China; 1,699 feet, 108 floors; HOK
10. Pentominium; Dubai; 1,692 feet, 122 floors; Aedas
11. Burj Al Alam; Dubai; 1,673 feet, 108 floors; Nikken Sekkei
    Qatar National Bank Tower; Doha; 1,673 feet, 101 floors; KEO/Peddle Thorp Architects

Photo credit

Guest Post by William C. Bracken, Translating Engineering

What is the expected cause of the collapse and what is going on now?

Shortly after the collapse of the Metrodome roof collapse the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission hired Walter P. Moore to conduct an assessment to determine repair to the roof.

What was the result of the assessment?
The assessment found that there were multiple stresses on the fabric panel and the condition of the panels were more severe than originally expected. In short it was reported that the panels suffered abrasion and wear from their continued exposure to wind, ice, snow and moisture. The report also stated that the life expectancy of the fiberglass roof fabrics is expected to be only 20 to 30 years and the Metrodome was beyond this life expectancy. Other associated deformations contributing to the collapse of the roof was the deflation of the roof three prior times. The assessment also concluded that a number of the panels were stressed beyond their normal working limits. While overstress alone does not mean that the material is compromised, when combined with continued wear from snow and ice, concern remains.

The assessment by Walter P. Moore concluded that the Metrodome roof needed to be completely replaced rather than repaired. In Walter P. Moore’s assessment report of the Metrodome’s roof they stated, “ Our assessment is based upon our own visual observations, results of fabric sample testing, review of the Birdair’s detailed visual survey, consideration of further damage in the deflated condition, and various forms of qualitative and quantitative risk analysis we have conducted on the roof. Taken together, our findings suggest an unacceptable level of risk for future deflation events without complete replacement of tensile roof membrane.” Future reports may be released by Walter P. Moore regarding the cause of the December 12, 2010 collapse.

What’s going on now?
The Metropolitan Sports Facility Commission made the decision to replace the Metrodome’s damaged roof. The Commission opened the project for bids and received only one bid proposal. This was from Birdair, Inc. who was the original designer and installer of the Metrodome Roof. The reason believed that more proposals were not received was the Commission established that the project must be completed in time for the Vikings pre-season on August 1st. Work on site is expected to begin as early as March 17th and material installation as soon as March 30, 2001.

–

William C. Bracken, PE, SECB, CFM, StS2 is the President and Principal Engineer of Bracken Engineering in Tampa, Florida. Founded in 1996, Bracken Engineering has grown to a staff of more than 25, including engineers, contractors, building officials, inspectors, structures specialists, technicians and administrative support staff. Bracken Engineering earned 7th place in the “Best Structural Engineering Firms To Work For” contest by Structures Magazine. Mr. Bracken writes about engineering topics at the blog Translating Engineering.

–

The views, opinions, positions or strategies expressed by guest authors are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or positions of Armstrong Forensic Engineers or any employee thereof. Armstrong Forensic Engineers makes no representations as to accuracy, timeliness, or suitability of any information in a guest post.

The controversial Turkish underwater highway under the Bosphorus is now under construction:

The construction of the underwater highway was officially begun Saturday by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at a ceremony at Istanbul’s Haydarpaşa seaport. The highway, which is a joint project between Turkey and South Korea, will be 14.5 kilometers long, of which 5.5 kilometers will pass underwater…The project foresees 75,000 cars a day using the highway once it is constructed.

Photo credit

Wired Magazine looks at unique security locations around the world. WikiLeaks, for example:

Where does WikiLeaks keep its secrets? In a former military bunker and nuclear shelter under Stockholm’s city streets. Nicknamed the James Bond Villain Data Center, this 8,000-server facility, which could theoretically withstand a nuclear impact, is protected by 24-hour video surveillance and a 2-foot-thick armored door. Two German V12 diesel submarine engines are on standby for backup power. Recycling a war room comes at a price, though: Bahnhof—the ISP that runs the data center—had to have the glass and frames for the walkway and conference room custom-cut to accommodate the curved walls and uneven ceiling.

Photo Credit