[did you know?] [thoughts] how tall is a tall building?

http://www.ctbuh.org/HighRiseInfo/TallestDatabase/Criteria/tabid/446/Default.aspx

another "did you know": the CTBUH has issued its recommendations for the seismic (earthquake-resistant) design of high-rise buildings. it suggests that design codes currently being used by structural engineers are inadequate for most tall buildings over 50 meters high. instead, they say that a performance-based design is more appropriate. unfortunately, only a very few structural engineers know how to do performance-based design. while it is based on first principles, it is not actually taught in school. heck, not many structural engineers really know how to design structures properly because not everything is learned in school. even outside of school, there are still so many things to learn, and in fact many experienced structural engineers do not know some basic structural engineering principles. usually, these structural engineers who do not have sufficient know-how are the people who undercharge. so, who designed your building? how much did you pay? by the manual of professional practice for civil engineers (applicable to structural engineers), they should charge a minimum 1.5% of the project cost if they are not the lead professional. if they are the lead professional, they should charge a minimum of 6%. some "structural engineers" charge just 0.5% or less. of course business owners love them!