We are pleased to present this book which showcases ... - WSP Group

The Torre Mayor office building, inaugurated in June 2003, marks the
dawn of a new era in design for earthquake resistance. Currently the
tallest building in Mexico City, and indeed Latin America, its innovative
design solution by WSP Cantor Seinuk maintains stability of the
225 m high, 57-storey first class office through Mexico’s frequent
seismic events.
The tower superstructure utilises composite construction of steel
columns encased in reinforced concrete up to the 30th floor.Above,
steel is the primary material for the structural framing.This structure
not only provides superior performance by balancing loading demand
and capacity, but also reduces the construction budget by using
readily available local materials.
A key design criterion was that the building should be operational
immediately after a large scale seismic event.To attain this high
standard, it was clear from an early stage in the design process that
non-traditional design approaches would be essential. In 1993, when
the project was commissioned for design, a series of structural
analyses were performed to establish the benefits of various viscous
damping devices, including recently declassified technology, in the
performance of the tower.
A parallel research study was also conducted to investigate the
optimal utilisation of dampers.This led to an innovative solution,
acknowledged by the US Patent Office, which recognises the strategic
values of the arrangement, location and integration of the dampers
with the conventional structural system. It would be cost prohibitive
if not impossible to meet the high standard set in the performance
criteria for a building of this scale using only conventional
construction techniques. In one of the world’s worst seismic zones,
the Torre Mayor is one of the world’s safest buildings, achieved with
an extremely cost effective design.
Innovative design for the Torre Major led to many positive impacts:
■ Introduction of a high standard performance based design;
■ Improved reliability in building performance during seismic events,
maximising the protection of property, as well as ensuring the
safety of occupants and their physical and psychological comfort;
■ Reduced usage of conventional construction materials, which
minimised construction time, pollution and the depletion of
natural resources;
■ Improvements in performance of non-structural elements
such as services, elevators and cladding;
■ Readiness of the building for occupation after a strong
seismic event;
■ Massive cost efficiencies through the creation of a more durable
structure that does not require repair after major earthquakes;
■ Reductions in insurance premiums;
■ Advancement in engineering of high performance buildings.
Torre Mayor Awards:
Civil Engineering Research Foundation (CERF) Charles
Pankow Award Winner in 2005; and Finalist in 2003 for
Innovation in Seismic Design
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Award of Merit 2003
The National Council of Structural Engineers Association
Engineering Awards of Excellence Competition
– National Winner (US$100M and above) 2003
American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC)
Platinum Award 2004
American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) New York
“One of the most revolutionary advances to
have emerged in recent years within the field
of structural design.”
Anne Elizabeth Powell, Editor in Chief,
Civil Engineering Magazine, June 2003
Designated as one of the hundred top tech innovations
of 2003 by Popular Science Magazine (Dec 2003)
Client:
Reichmann International
Project team:
Architect:Adamson Associates / Zeidler Roberts Architects
General contractor: ICA-Reichmann, Mexico City
Project value:
Construction approximately £200M
Project size:
57-storeys; 225 m high
Status:
Inaugurated June 2003
WSP Cantor Seinuk services:
Structural Engineering
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