How Do Structural Engineering Firms in New Orleans Build Skyscrapers?

Looking at the New Orleans skyline, it’s hard to ignore the commanding presence of One Shell Square, the tallest skyscraper in the city at 656 feet. But it’s not alone in the shiny forest; there are at least 106 completed high-rises in New Orleans, including 36 that stand at least 50 feet.

Recent trends suggest a construction boom in the downtown area, a benefactor of $3 billion in private funding that is being poured into high-end refurbishments of historic buildings.

Of course, awe-inspiring buildings, such as One Shell Square and its neighboring high-rises, do not happen without the help of structural engineering firms in New Orleans. You might ask, how do these professionals turn blueprints and plans into high-reaching marvels of engineering?

What is Structural Engineering?

For the unknowing, structural engineering is a subset of civil engineering that deals with making sure structures can withstand environmental stressors—i.e., wind turbulence, its own weight and other forces relevant to a high-rise.

Put simply, if a skyscraper were a human body, the structural engineer is in charge of making sure that the skeleton is sturdy and reliable. Now you may ask: how?

Windy Challenge

New Orleans skyscrapers, unlike shorter structures, are subjected to wind turbulence—up to 100 miles per hour, in fact. As such, structural engineers design the facade of skyscrapers to break the wind. Chamfered corners or nooks, crannies and ornamentations that slow the wind down are implemented to prevent such buildings from shaking and stress that can compromise their structural integrity.

Dampen the Impact

Skyscrapers also include dampers, much like the counterweights you find in a grandfather clock, only much heavier—about 300-800 tons. These are installed near the top floor of a skyscraper and are adjusted by using chains to counteract the natural shifting and swaying of buildings due to wind.

Utmost Strength

Structural engineers are charged with choosing the best material to use for skyscrapers. These days, they have a wide selection from which to choose, including concrete-filled steel to help make sure that skyscrapers can bear the tremendous weight of each floor.

Indeed, structural engineering services in New Orleans play a critical role in any construction project, but even more so for high-rises. With their expertise in simulation and design, they can make sure that a skyscraper is capable of withstanding the elements, no matter its height.

Sources:

CANAL STREET BEAT, canalstreetbeat.com

Life after Katrina: Building boom strikes downtown New Orleans, nola.com