Construction Related Activities

Types of High-rise Building Structural Systems

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.

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 lightingdoor 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. See also building construction.

A multistory building higher than 21m or 21 to 29 floor buildings with unknown height described as high-rise structure. Various structural systems are available to be used in the construction of high rise building such as:

1. Braced frame structural system

2. Rigid frame structural system

3. Wall-frame system (dual system)

4. Shear wall system

5. Core and outrigger structural system

6. Infilled frame structural system

7. Flat plate and flat slab structural system

8. Tube structural system

9. Coupled wall system

Flood Defence Systems

IBS Engineered Products Limited, UK

IBS is a world market leader in mobile flood protection systems. For decades, we have been gaining experience in the development and production of such systems, equipping cities with demountable flood walls up to six metres in height.

Based on that knowledge, our latest product was released to the market in the Spring of 2017: our Super Light SL25 flood protection system. We took our tried and trusted stackable demountable stoplog system and downsized it, in order to make it more suitable for private households and commercial buildings whenever a flood event strikes. Read on for more info

The patented SL25 flood barrier consists of fixed end posts and aluminium dam beams. This material guarantees a lightweight barrier so that anybody can mount the SL25 barrier, because in a case of emergency every minute counts. The end posts are only 50mm wide, and the dam beams only 25mm thick. Due to our design capability and despite the slim design, the SL25 system will withstand a water level of 1 metre across a width of 2 metres without additional central supports. These features make it ideal for the flood protection of private houses and commercial units, where it can be used to protect openings such as doors, windows or staircase entries.