If there’s one thing for certain, it’s that steel buildings are serious business. Steel is the foundation for some of the tallest, most impressive structures worldwide. Because our team is devoted to all aspects of design-build, we’re taking this moment to give credit where credit is due.
In this article, we’re looking at four of the most impressive steel buildings ever built. While, of course, there are several more, these four have captured the attention of millions and remain standing to this day.
Eiffel Tower
Possibly one of the most famous structures worldwide, located in the heart of Paris, the Eiffel Tower is hands-down impressive. Built in 1889 for the Universal Exhibition, this iconic landmark took a mere 2 years, 2 months, and 5 days to complete. Quite the accomplishment given the time and equipment on hand.
The design of the Eiffel Tower was a combined effort of 50 engineers and designers who began work in January of 1887. On March 31, 1889, and 7,300 tons of iron and 2.5 million rivets later, the project was complete. Standing 1,050 feet above ground level, the Eiffel Tower held the title of the world’s tallest structure for 42 years.
Empire State Building
Another household name among icon structures is the Empire State Building located in New York City. Designed in 1931, this structure was one that was undoubtedly ahead of its time. Standing at 1.454 feet, this 103-story skyscraper held the title of the world’s tallest structure for nearly 40 years, but took under one year to construct!
Willis (Sears) Tower
If you’ve ever traveled to Chicago, the Sears Tower, also referred to as the Willis Tower, is one that can’t be missed. Standing 1,450 feet high, construction of the 110-story building began in 1970 and took three years to reach completion. Featuring a steel-framed bundled-tube construction method, building the tower took the efforts of over 2,000 construction workers and 76,000 tons of steel.
Burj Khalifa
Standing as the world’s tallest man-made structure since its opening in 2009, the Burj Khalifa is located in Dubai. With 163 floors, the building was also designed with a steel-framed bundled-tube construction method. Upon completion, the final calculations leave the structure standing 2,716.5 feet with over 4,400 shorts ton; 3,900 long tons of structural steel, concrete, and glass paneling.
As you can see, the construction of steel buildings is no joke! When properly planned and executed, a steel structure is one of the most reliable solutions. However, it takes a team of dedicated experts to design and successfully implement such a project with the precision required. At Schroeder Construction Management, you’ll find just that.
If construction of steel buildings is in your future, we are your solution. Contact Schroeder Construction Management today for more information (603) 882-1822.