Have you seen this? Malta Tower. 12

[MIStructE_IRE]

This is an amazing structure no doubt.

I’m not sure I’d have the cojones for it!!

Malta seems to be relatively low in terms of seismic activity and I guess a very stiff central core would take care of any torsion etc.. But still.. I think I’ve realised the limits of my engineering bravery!

In terms of redundancy... I’m guessing that steel ‘truss’ can span two bays if you lose one of the raking struts at the lower transfer level. If you lose a truss diagonal however I’m not sure what happens. Would love to hear others thoughts on progressive collapse.

 

[saplanti]

It is too difficult to criticise the engineering without seeing the structural frame completely.

From this view only I share your toughts. Just looking at the transition area of triangulated frame members I cannot see any compression member between connections. I do not thing the thin floor concrete will workfor compression in that area. Upper and lower are the same which is very scary.

I cannot see the core structure either from this view.

As it looks it is scary to me. I did not work on the residential structures I cannot say more. However industrial structures and their design are a lot more reliable from my experience.

 

[1503-44]

I'd think Malta is too close to Sicily's Mt Etna to be earthquake free. If fact there was a 4.5 recorded there on 30 Sept 2020. I'm sure an 8 must be plausible. The Eastern Med is a relatively hot spot for earthquakes in general.

 

[bones206]

Some more info:

https://www.evolveuk.biz/portfolio_page/mercury-tower-malta/

 

[Structuralbd]

In my opinion this one is critical tower. But obviously this type of structure is possible through proper structural design. Though I am working on residential structure but I like this creative works by structural engineer.

Structuralbd
Website:

http://structuralbd.com/

 

[LittleInch]

This is what it is supposed to look like once all the cladding goes on

https://www.designboom.com/architecture/zaha-hadid-mercury-tower-paceville-malta-08-03-2018/

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[rb1957]

one man's creativity is another man's "pain in the ass" ...

I wonder if anyone's thought of instead of the twisted section ... use permanent magnets to the upper building could be "floating" on the lower (and just have a small core for an elevator and services) ...

another day in paradise, or is paradise one day closer ?

 

[IceNine]

There's a lot more information about the project on the engineer's website, with many good photos.

Link

 

[canwesteng]

Looks cooler as a skeleton than rendered, wish they left it jagged like that

 

[dik]

My son just walked by, glancing at the screen and reading seismic and thought that was the condition after the event... just because you can do something, it may not be a good idea to do it...

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik

 

[MIStructE_IRE]

Agreed dik, just because you can doesn’t mean you should!

I see the engineers website details. Its pretty cool!

Just imagine the scale of those kick out forces - and that’s before seismic!

 

[rb1957]

A good time to re-read the "Jack vs the Architect" cartoon

another day in paradise, or is paradise one day closer ?

 

[dik]

I'd forgotten about Jack...

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik

 

[IRstuff]

Well, I'm disappointed for the permanent residents; they don't seem to get much of a view, even though they probably paid a premium just for living there.

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg

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[Enable]

rb1957...thank you so much for posting that. Made my week. That punchline!

 

[rb1957]

somehow it always comes to mind when our "pointy haired bosses" start asking technical questions ...

another day in paradise, or is paradise one day closer ?

 

[JStephen]

Something up there reminds me of this one from long ago:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3yYN5N8wkM

 

[JLNJ]

I hope it was engineered better than the Hard Rock Hotel.

 

[Trippelsewe]

Looks like they did the global design using Robot

 

[racookpe1978]

Oddly, the steel twisted metal frame looks adequate and well-thought against the architect's delusions and Malta's volcanic earthquake-prone neighboring countries. But that incomplete, half-arsed ugly set of square concrete beams below it look grotesque and ugly with no clean, clear load lines against vibration and tension at all!