How does the Taipei 101 pendulum work?
A giant golden ball hangs suspended beneath the observatory deck of Taipei 101. This is the “wind damper.” It generates reaction force to negate shock or vibration caused by outside forces, so people inside the skyscraper can live and work in comfort.
How is the Taipei 101 building earthquake proof?
Taipei 101 has a secret weapon to keep it safe – a giant steel ball that sways like a pendulum to counterbalance earthquakes and typhoons. Suspended from the upper floors of the pagoda-inspired skyscraper, the 660 metric-ton, 5.5-meter-wide ball is a “tuned mass damper”.
Why does Taipei 101 stand out?
Structural design The Taipei 101 is designed to withstand typhoon winds and earthquake tremors that are common in the area in the east of Taiwan. During construction, on 31 March 2002, a 6.8-magnitude earthquake rocked Taipei; two construction cranes from the 56th floor, the highest floor at the time, toppled.
How much does the Burj Khalifa sway in the wind?
If you were near the top of the world’s tallest skyscraper — the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, which has 163 floors — you would feel the building sway about two metres! This swaying doesn’t mean the building is unsafe.
Who are the tenants of the Taipei 101 tower?
What Is Inside the Taipei 101 Tower? Taipei 101 is home to scores of tenants including communications companies, banks, motor companies, consulting groups, and financial companies. Some notable tenants include Google Taiwan on the 73rd floor, L’Oreal’ — the world’s largest cosmetic company, and the Taiwan Stock Exchange.
How much does tuned mass damper of Taipei 101 cost?
At Taipei 101, the room-sized device is capable of moving five feet in any direction, thereby reducing sway by 30 to 40 percent. Safety comes at a hefty price, however, as the tower’s tuned mass damper cost $4 million to build.
How long did it take to build the Taipei 101?
The Taipei 101 was built in a period of 5 years from 1999-2004. The Taipei 101 is reinforced by concrete piles driven 80 meters below the ground and 30 meters into bedrock. In addition, it made of high strength reinforced steel and flexible materials.
How is the Taipei 101 protected from earthquakes?
Another major sight in Taipei is the damper, which is a marvel of engineering that protects the 101 against Typhoons and earthquakes. The damper works by offsetting strong wind gusts, absorbing the forces and turning them into kinetic energy, moving the damper.