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Reaching New Heights

3/1/2019

Skyscrapers are the prima donnas of the civil engineering world. They are audacious and extravagant megastructures that visually express the human spirit. They represent virtues of beauty and adventure. They push the limits of technical achievement and enduring strength. And they stand as inspiration to all of us working in construction, research, and education at ACI.

The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) issued a report on tall buildings that is encouraging to those of us with interest in concrete. The recent report affirmed the leading role that concrete plays in shaping the urban landscape. Buildings exceeding 200 m (656 ft) have increased dramatically over the past decade (Fig. 1). By 2019, there will be over 1600 supertall buildings exceeding 200 m around the world. In contrast, there were fewer than 300 in 2000.

Fig. 1: Buildings 200 m (656 ft) or taller completed each year from 1968 to 2019

Concrete retains its lead as the primary structural system for supertall buildings. Of the 143 buildings 200 m or taller completed in 2018, 63% are constructed primarily of concrete. In 2017, 50% of the newly completed supertalls were constructed primarily of concrete, indicating that the competitiveness of concrete is on the rise. The long-term view (Fig. 2) reflects advances in concrete strength, pumpability, affordability, and construction techniques that secure concrete as the favored structural system for tall buildings.

Fig. 2: Construction material use in tall buildings by decade

Most new supertall buildings are found in Asia and the Middle East. Of the 100 tallest buildings in the world, 59 are in Asia and 23 are in the Middle East—leaving only 18 for the rest of the world. Ahmad Mhanna, ACI Middle East Regional Director, told me that concrete is even more dominant in the Middle East marketplace with 93% of Dubai’s newest supertalls being constructed of concrete building systems (Fig. 3). Dubai alone has 225 buildings over 150 m (492 ft) made of concrete. The next record-holding skyscraper, expected to be completed in 2021, is the 1 km (3280 ft) tall Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia. It will surpass the current height record holder, the 828 m (2716 ft) Burj Khalifa in Dubai, which was completed in 2010. Both of these supertalls use concrete structural systems.

Fig. 3: Etihad Towers complex in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

ACI continues to work hard to impact the concrete industry around the world. I am impressed with changes in the ACI Foundation (ACIF) that position us to better support research and education. ACI member Joe Bracci is the immediate past Chair of the Concrete Research Council (CRC), and he has shared with me that ACIF contributions to research have markedly increased in recent years. In 2016, 2017, and 2018, the CRC fund distributions were $160,000, $200,000, and $375,000, respectively. The impact is even greater when one considers matching support more than doubles the spending power. Our ACIF track record has been getting better every year, and I am looking for that trend to continue.

My recent travels took me to Texas and the World of Concrete in Las Vegas, NV. My conversations affirm that the economy and the future of our industry is strong. My Texas stops included the San Antonio Chapter – ACI, the ACI Student Chapter at the University of Texas at Austin, and the Center for Infrastructure Renewal (CIR) at Texas A&M University in College Station. The cumulative experience leaves me with an optimistic outlook for the preparation of our next generation of professionals. ACI member Zachary Grasley, Professor at Texas A&M and CIR Director, hosted my visit and gave me a personal tour of what he calls the best research facility for transportation and structural engineering in the nation. I’ve seen many excellent university facilities, and I cannot disagree.

This President's Memo is my final installment. What a wonderful year I have had! I've frequently described the job as being an ambassador for ACI—spreading goodwill and interacting with our chapters, international partners, and student groups. I have shared my confidence in ACI’s strategic direction and fiscal health with every audience. I will pass the gavel to Randy Poston at The ACI Concrete Convention and Exposition – Spring 2019 in Québec City. Randy served as Chair of ACI Committee 318 for the 2014 code cycle, and he has a career of experience as a consulting engineering. I look forward to his leadership.

My final thought at the end of my presidential term returns full circle to our shared core values. Our Institute core values are alive and well, including ACI’s commitment to excellence in our products and open doors that promote participation. Skyscrapers are a fitting inspiration for ACI as we continue to reach new heights. We are Always advancing!

David A. Lange