The Evolution of Seismic Engineering and Design of Ultra Tall Buildings in China Innovations and Sustainability

With the booming of construction and property industries in China, the demand for high-rises and mega-scale buildings with more integrated building functions, open- and tailor-shaped outlooks, better connections to municipal infrastructures, and higher grades of building importance has been increasing in the past two decades. The seismic design and engineering of such modern mega-buildings face engineering challenges such as hazard mitigation of extreme actions and surroundings, integrated structural frameworks and building skins, complex connections, and overall construction efficiency. It is the work of a new generation of civil and structural engineers to enhance engineering efficiency and achieve overall engineering, environmental, and economical effectiveness for these high-rise projects. This paper elaborates the above topics through case studies on the design and construction of four such developments in China. Some rethinking is conducted on evolution in modern seismic engineering and design through innovation to achieve an acceptable level of overall sustainability and building effectiveness.