The earthquake resilience of Taiwan’s tallest skyscraper
A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan on Wednesday, resulting in the loss of at least 9 lives and causing damage to 770 buildings, as reported by the National Fire Agency (NFA) of Taiwan.
Despite its proximity to the epicenter, the capital Taipei, located 80 miles away, experienced violent tremors during what was described as Taiwan’s most powerful earthquake in 25 years. However, Taipei’s iconic skyscraper, Taipei 101, formerly the world’s tallest building, remained unscathed, showcasing the prowess of modern engineering.
Video footage from the earthquake captured Taipei 101’s slight swaying, a demonstration of its structural flexibility, primarily attributed to its construction material: reinforced concrete. This flexibility allows the building to sway with seismic forces while maintaining its integrity.
At the heart of Taipei 101’s earthquake resilience is a remarkable technological feature known as a tuned mass damper. Suspended between the 87th and 92nd floors, this 660-ton steel sphere acts as a pendulum, counteracting the building’s swaying motions during seismic events. By moving in the opposite direction of the building’s sway, the damper absorbs kinetic energy, thereby stabilizing the structure.
This innovative technology, found in skyscrapers worldwide, including New York’s Steinway Tower and Dubai’s Burj al-Arab, plays a crucial role in protecting buildings from harmonic vibration, a phenomenon that can lead to structural failure during earthquakes.
In addition to the tuned mass damper, Taipei 101’s stability is enhanced by deep foundations, comprising 380 reinforced concrete and steel piles anchored into the bedrock. The building’s core is connected to perimeter mega-columns via massive steel outrigger trusses, further ensuring its structural integrity.
Taipei 101’s compliance with stringent anti-seismic building codes reflects Taiwan’s proactive approach to earthquake preparedness, given its location along the volatile Pacific Ring of Fire. Despite extensive digital modeling and shake table testing, uncertainties remain regarding how the building would fare against stronger seismic events, highlighting the ongoing challenges in earthquake engineering and design evaluation.
