rotating skyscraper in dubai

huangyhg

rotating skyscraper in dubai
structural fellows,
you may have heard the news of rotating skyscraper in dubai, the world first dynamic architecture. see from the link:
does anyone feel sorry for the structural engineer on that one?
this is a job for a mechanical engineer!
does this mean that structural engineers will become mechanical engineers or will be replaced by mechanical engineers?
could the wheel be the 'world's first dynamic structure' ?
why does dubai need such a structure ?
why does any place need a structure like that???
seems they found an architect with as big an ego as their pocketbooks.
easy 3-step job.
1. buy existing skyscraper
2. add alcohol
3. repeat step 2.
the projected plans are amazing, but there are few buildings that would out-do the burj el arab(?) hotel there that was opened a few years ago. the hotel is the only 7-star (not just 5-star) in the world. i was lucky enough to get a personal tour without paying the rediculous amount ($50?) to walk inside.
the rotating building poses unique problems that will not be experienced except in some seimic solutions.
if you do work there, you better be ready for a fast track, irregular work and ability to respond to problems and changes quickly.
the ability to solve problems seems to overshadow the cost if the scedule is not compromised. pride is important and will be paid for.
the residential development off shore is truely amazing.
if you have a chance, take a look at the timeline of construction of dubai for the past 5 or 10 years. there is a slide show that i will try to find. i have the ppt presentation that i can post once i find out how to.
dick
i would think that a structural engineer would design the lift shaft/spine and the moving parts would be designed by a mechanical engineer.
i expect that the residents will get seasick every time there is a big wind due to the lateral translation and rotation combined.
this will be like designing a new type of jetplane but without the same amount of lead time. i wouldnt touch it with a 10'(3.05m) pole.
csd
this is simple... just use a bunch of hoverboard pads like they did in back to the future ii, and "rosie" from the jetsons could clean the apartments too!
i am not sure about firsts.  i recall having dinner in cincinnati in 1986 at the top of the crown (i think that was the name) where the whole resturant rotated like once every 15 or 20 minutes or something.
don phillips