Monitoring of High‐Rise Buildings

Abstract

Tall buildings have mushroomed in Boston as they have elsewhere. Modern technology has made high‐rise construction efficient and architects more daring. The surveying engineer faces many adversities during the translation process from blueprint to construction site. Temperature, vibration, short sights, compression, column shortening, settlement, and even tides and hurricanes demand careful attention. Personal experiences of the writers confirm warnings of the American Institute of Steel Construction, which are often ignored by construction managers. The surveying engineer and the construction manager should discuss reliable survey control procedures beforehand. By anticipating inevitable problems, their damaging effects can be minimized. A unique monitoring experience during Hurricane Gloria produced surprisingly sudden, jerky building motions.