high-rise building

high-rise building, also called high-rise,  multistory building tall enough to require the use of a system of mechanical vertical transportation such as elevators. The skyscraper is a very tall high-rise building.
The first high-rise buildings were constructed in the United States in the 1880s. They arose in urban areas where increased land prices and great population densities created a demand for buildings that rose vertically rather than spread horizontally, thus occupying less precious land area. High-rise buildings were made practicable by the use of steel structural frames and glass exterior sheathing. By the mid-20th century, such buildings had become a standard feature of the architectural landscape in most countries in the world.
The foundations of high-rise buildings must sometimes support very heavy gravity loads, and they usually consist of concrete piers, piles, or caissons that are sunk into the ground. Beds of solid rock are the most desirable base, but ways have been found to distribute loads evenly even on relatively soft ground. The most important factor in the design of high-rise buildings, however, is the building’s need to withstand the lateral forces imposed by winds and potential earthquakes. Most high-rises have frames made of steel or steel and concrete. Their frames are constructed of columns (vertical-support members) and beams (horizontal-support members). Cross-bracing or shear walls may be used to provide a structural frame with greater lateral rigidity in order to withstand wind stresses. Even more stable frames use closely spaced columns at the building’s perimeter, or they use the bundled-tube system, in which a number of framing tubes are bundled together to form exceptionally rigid columns.
High-rise buildings are enclosed by curtain walls; these are non-load-bearing sheets of glass, masonry, stone, or metal that are affixed to the building’s frame through a series of vertical and horizontal members called mullions and muntins.
The principal means of vertical transport in a high-rise is the elevator. It is moved by an electric motor that raises or lowers the cab in a vertical shaft by means of wire ropes. Each elevator cab is also engaged by vertical guide tracks and has a flexible electric cable connected to it that provides power for lighting, door operation, and signal transmission.
Because of their height and their large occupant populations, high-rises require the careful provision of life-safety systems. Fire-prevention standards should be strict, and provisions for adequate means of egress in case of fire, power failure, or other accident should be provided. Although originally designed for commercial purposes, many high-rises are now planned for multiple uses. The combination of office, residential, retail, and hotel space is common

New construction technology – boon or bust?

As India’s construction industry globalises and gets ‘in sync’ with international trends and technology, the challenges that Indian construction faces are simple: how to ensure construction happens with speed, strength and savings. As Indian infrastructure and construction work on contracts overseas, they have been using newer technology to provide their global clients with worldclass construction. How do we ensure the same norms, the same technology gets adopted in India too?  Consider the current situation, says Sunil Mantri, President, Maharashtra Chamber of Housing Industry (MCHI), traditional construction meant we used to take everything in stride. Wastage of time, money and material were a given, there were issues with skilled labour as also poor material management. “One needs to actually save money and time while getting worldclass quality,” informs Mantri. “The use of latest technology and equipments coupled with new construction materials helps reduce the construction time and wastage of materials is also controlled, this helps in the completion of the projects on time,’’ says Ashok Chajjer, Chairman, Arihant Superstructures Ltd. Adoption of new construction technology results in faster and better quality of construction, cost reduction, low maintenance and cleaner buildings. “Construction using the latest construction technology results in faster completion of the project and also brings down the cost of construction,’’ he says, adding that the Government should incentivise developers who buy these hi-tech equipments so that they can finish a project faster. This year’s budget has given impetus on green technologies, which may help achieve this goal, says Ashok Kumar, Country Head of Global Property Consultants Cressa Partners. ‘’Effectively integrating low-cost technologies within the construction framework to maximize returns, and updating advancements in technologies to upgrade the existing systems for higher output, that’s ideal for Indian Construction to be in sync with global trends,’’ he suggests. We need to look at China, to understand how new technology helps, says Sangeet H Kumar, CEO of 1stMumbaiProperties. He feels that ideally, construction in India should follow the China example, where technology has played an important part in building affordable homes. From theory to actual implementation, and validation of the concept that global technology and new materials actually helps build faster, better and safer comes from Aasif Khan, MD of Fabtech Sterling. “There are some issues that are a problem for the construction industry in India, these include buildings that collapse, buildings that develop cracks or suffer from leakage or seepage or have paint peeling off. This happens at times because of shoddy, cornercutting methods of construction.’’ Khan’s company has brought into the Indian construction space Plaswall Building System of Construction, which he describes as an innovative building option. ‘’It enables quick installation, effectively reducing construction time by almost one-third as compared to traditional methods.’’ Khan says Plaswall provides perfect resistance against heat and water, and structures made from Plaswall are far stronger and durable than traditional brick-n-mortar construction. “It is totally crack and leak-proof and requires no maintenance even after several years. Efficient to install and construct, it effectively increases site production by as much as 300 per cent,’’ he adds. So, will adoption of new construction technology actually bring in speed, strength and savings? Aasif Khan says the answer is a resounding ‘yes’. “When new construction technologies such as this are adopted by Indian construction, these aspects will become a reality.’’