Buttressed core

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A buttressed core is a structural system for high buildings, consisting of a hexagonal core reinforced by three buttresses that form a Y shape.

Contents

Properties

A cross-section of comparisons of various towers, from ground level from top to bottom: Burj Khalifa, Taipei 101, Willis Tower, and the original World Trade Center Comparisonfinal001fx7.png
A cross-section of comparisons of various towers, from ground level from top to bottom: Burj Khalifa, Taipei 101, Willis Tower, and the original World Trade Center

The buttressed core supports itself both laterally and torsionally. It also eliminates the need for column transfers, and moves loads in a smooth path from the building's top into its foundations.

Origin

The buttressed core was invented by the Skidmore, Owings & Merrill engineer Bill Baker. [1] It was first used in Tower Palace III in Seoul but its ability to support higher buildings than ever before was first demonstrated in Burj Khalifa in Dubai. [2]

Uses

Advantages

The buttressed core structural system offers several advantages over traditional methods:

Disadvantages

Despite its benefits, the buttressed core system also has some drawbacks:

See also

References