Problem: Winds Make Buildings Sway

On Chicago’s Michigan Avenue, a 73-story skyscraper is under construction. The building, called 1000M, towers over 800 feet high. It is located along the lakefront—the western shore of Lake Michigan—where it will be exposed to the strong winds that the city is known for.

Just like the way trees sway in the breeze, strong winds can cause tall buildings to move back and forth. However, too much movement can negatively affect the building’s structure and the people inside it.

How can engineers keep skyscrapers from swaying too much?