A high-rise building is a
tall building, as opposed to a low-rise building and is defined by its height. It
is used as a residential, office building, hotel, retail etc. Residential high-rise
buildings are also known as tower blocks and also referred as “MDU’s” (multi-dwelling
unit). A very tall high-rise building is referred to as a skyscraper.
High-rise buildings become possible with the invention of elevator (lift) and less expensive, more abundant building materials. The materials used for structural system of high-rise buildings are reinforced concrete and steel. Steel frames are also used in the construction of skyscraper.
High-rise structures pose particular design challenges for structural and Geo-technical engineers, particularly if situated in a seismically active region or if the underlying soils have Geo-technical risk factors such as high compressibility or bay mud. They also pose serious challenges to firefighters during emergencies in high-rise structures.
Various definitions:
- Emporis Standards (Germany) defines a high-rise as “A multi-story structure between 35 – 100 meters, or a building of unknown height from 12 – 39 floors.
- According to the building code of Hyderabad (India), a high-rise building is one with four floors or more, or 15 to 18 meters or more in height.
- The New Shorter Oxford English Dictionary defines a high-rise as a “a building having more storeys”.
- The International Conference on Fire Safety in high-rise buildings a high-rise as “any structure where the height can have a serious impact on evacuation.
- In the U.S the National Fire Protection Association defines a high-rise as being higher than 75 feet (23 meters), or about 7 storeys.
- Most building engineers, inspectors, architects and similar professionals define a high-rise as a building at least 75 feet (23 m) tall.
(source: wikipedia)
