# Tallest building in the world in 90 days. Possible? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 21, 2012, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tallest-building-in-the-world-in-90-days-possible/641776 "2012-11-21T22:26:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2012, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tallest-building-in-the-world-in-90-days-possible/641776/1 "2012-11-21T22:26:27Z")
According to this article, a Chinese construction company will build that world’s tallest building in 90 days. The author of the article itself is highly dubious that it can be done. Personally, I know next to nothing about engineering and building construction, but I agree that the claim on its face seems outlandish. Article: [**China Will Build the Tallest Building In the World in Just 90 Days**](http://gizmodo.com/5962070/china-will-build-the-tallest-building-in-the-world-in-just-90-days) What would knowledgeable Dopers in this area have to say? Doable or not? And what kind of finished product can be expected? The way (wave) of the future? ---
**Author:** ![phreesh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@phreesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phreesh)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2012, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tallest-building-in-the-world-in-90-days-possible/641776/2 "2012-11-21T22:34:57Z")
I would have thought the foundation work would require that timeline to be much longer. Concrete takes a long time to cure. As for the floors themselves, I can see it being possible, given that a ton of the work is done pre-fab. You’d need a lot of cranes and a crazy system for organizing construction in a safe and efficient manner. Putting a project of that magnitude in place over such a short time period would take a stunning amount of planning and logistical work. I would follow such a project pretty closely. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2012, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tallest-building-in-the-world-in-90-days-possible/641776/3 "2012-11-21T22:39:28Z")
If you intentionally parse the article very deliberately, it says that foundation would would begin in 30 days but does not mention if that would count against the 90 days 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2012, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tallest-building-in-the-world-in-90-days-possible/641776/4 "2012-11-21T22:47:16Z")
Sure, why not. It might not be as tall on the 91st day, but buildings are erected to just make a mark on one day, not last a lifetime or anything like that. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2012, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tallest-building-in-the-world-in-90-days-possible/641776/5 "2012-11-21T23:18:39Z")
That article links to [this one](http://gizmodo.com/5873962/amazing-timelapse-of-30+story-building-made-in-only-360-hours), about a previous building built by the same company. The earlier building was a thirty-story hotel built in fifteen days. The point of both builds is, I assume, to demonstrate the company’s technology, in the hope that others will hire them to construct buildings for them. ---
**Author:** ![wheresmymind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/91b2a8/32.png) [@wheresmymind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wheresmymind)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2012, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tallest-building-in-the-world-in-90-days-possible/641776/6 "2012-11-21T23:47:07Z")
There are a bunch of Youtube videos of similar projects done by this company (including the one in **Dewey Finn’s** Gizmodo article). IANAEngineer but there doesn’t seem to be anything fundamentally wrong with their construction methods. They rely heavily on prefabrication, so by the time the modules get to the construction site it’s just a matter of stacking and welding/bolting them in place. My guess is that the total build time if you include the time spent constructing the modules in the factory will be considerably more than 90 days. They probably spend months churning out the pre-fab sections, stacking them up at a railyard next to the factory, then have them delivered to the site and quickly assembled. They probably save a bunch of money by A) doing the bulk of the constructing at ground level in a controlled environment and B) only having to lease cranes and other heavy equipment on-site for a short amount of time. ---
**Author:** ![Atakapa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a8b319/32.png) [@Atakapa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atakapa)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2012, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tallest-building-in-the-world-in-90-days-possible/641776/7 "2012-11-22T00:52:46Z")
I’m sure they can build it, but given China’s track record with similar rushed megaprojects, how long it’ll be structurally sound is another matter. ---
**Author:** ![lisiate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f05b48/32.png) [@lisiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisiate)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2012, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tallest-building-in-the-world-in-90-days-possible/641776/8 "2012-11-22T01:42:56Z")
There’s an interesting link in the Wikipedia page for [Sky City](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sky_City_(Changsha)) to an interview with a Dubai based [structural engineer.](http://www.arabianbusiness.com/can-china-build-its-burj-beater-in-90-days--469055.html) His key comments- - no wind load analysis - pre-fab sections aren’t likely stiff enough, the whole thing will sway. - such a heavy structure will require high strength concrete, which takes ages to cure and can only be poured a few metres high at a time. - building the Burj Khalifa in 5 years was an amazing achievement in itself. His final verdict: > [@](#): > > “If they manage to build this structure in three months then I will give up structural engineering. I will hang my hat and retire. I will be eating humble pie as well.” ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2012, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tallest-building-in-the-world-in-90-days-possible/641776/9 "2012-11-22T02:19:52Z")
So the general consensus thus far is that it can be done but none of you would work/live there? Might as well use giant Legos and stop the hype. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2012, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tallest-building-in-the-world-in-90-days-possible/641776/10 "2012-11-22T06:56:36Z")
China’s attempts at controlling its population are growing increasingly cartoony ---
**Author:** ![Noone\_Special](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/noone_special/32/2863_2.png) [@Noone\_Special](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noone_Special)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2012, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tallest-building-in-the-world-in-90-days-possible/641776/11 "2012-11-22T07:31:10Z")
One point working in their favor is that we all probably have some kind of impression what a “work environment” should look like for the people actually building the structure on site. I strongly doubt if this image squares with what the reality will be. I wonder how many casualties there will be among the work force while erecting the building… Then again, it’s China; people are still a rather cheap commodity there. I still don’t think it can be done, and the building structurally sound on days 91, 191, 1091 and 10091 – but hey, it’s **still** China. What does it matter if the whole thing collapses, with a few thousand people in it, a bit further down the road? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![simple\_homer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@simple\_homer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simple_homer)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2012, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tallest-building-in-the-world-in-90-days-possible/641776/12 "2012-11-22T07:59:51Z")
“World’s Tallest Skyscraper to Be Built in 210 Days Instead of 90 as Originally Planned” > **[World's Tallest Skyscraper to Be Built in 210 Days Instead of 90 as...](https://inhabitat.com/worlds-tallest-skyscraper-to-be-built-in-210-days-instead-of-90-as-originally-planned/)** > > Broad Sustainable Building (BSB) has updated its forecast for completion for Sky City, predicting it will be finished in 210 days instead of 90 days. ---
**Author:** ![simple\_homer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@simple\_homer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simple_homer)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2012, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tallest-building-in-the-world-in-90-days-possible/641776/13 "2012-11-22T08:10:13Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > China’s attempts at controlling its population are growing increasingly cartoony Apartment building in Shanghai falls over, nearly intact: [http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2009/06/29/shanghai-building-collapses-nearly-intact/](http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2009/06/29/shanghai-building-collapses-nearly-intact/) ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2012, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tallest-building-in-the-world-in-90-days-possible/641776/14 "2012-11-22T08:18:47Z")
Looking at the video, with the delivery of huge blocks of what looks like precast concrete, I wonder if the foundation is prefab too? Also, Broad Group claims their earlier efforts were completed with no worker injuries. ---
**Author:** ![lisiate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f05b48/32.png) [@lisiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisiate)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2012, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tallest-building-in-the-world-in-90-days-possible/641776/15 "2012-11-22T20:38:18Z")
> [@Noone\_Special](#): > > One point working in their favor is that we all probably have some kind of impression what a “work environment” should look like for the people actually building the structure on site. > I strongly doubt if this image squares with what the reality will be. I wonder how many casualties there will be among the work force while erecting the building… Then again, it’s China; people are still a rather cheap commodity there. > > I still don’t think it can be done, and the building structurally sound on days 91, 191, 1091 and 10091 – but hey, it’s **still** China. What does it matter if the whole thing collapses, with a few thousand people in it, a bit further down the road? :dubious: I don’t know about that - the work environment shown in the video **Dewey Finn** linked to seemed pretty normal to me. Certainly better than the conditions that the Empire State building was built under by comparison. And its not as if Dubai is a worker’s paradise. I also don’t think the Chinese authorities would allow construction to proceed if there’s a significant risk of national embarassment. If Sky City’s built, it’ll be structurally sound. The design looks pretty insipid though. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2012, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tallest-building-in-the-world-in-90-days-possible/641776/16 "2012-11-22T23:16:36Z")
> [@simple\_homer](#): > > “World’s Tallest Skyscraper to Be Built in 210 Days Instead of 90 as Originally Planned” > > [World's Tallest Skyscraper to Be Built in 210 Days Instead of 90 as Originally Planned](http://inhabitat.com/worlds-tallest-skyscraper-to-be-built-in-210-days-instead-of-90-as-originally-planned/) OK. Obviously that makes it more “reasonable” by default, but seeing as the current tallest building in the world, the [Burj Khalifa](http://skyscrapercenter.com/dubai/burj-khalifa/) took about **six years** to build, would it not still seem like an practical impossibility? Again, I have little knowledge on these matters, but it would seem to me the the structural soundness of such a project is as best, suspect. We’re not just talking about the height of the building but what it encompasses: a vertical city capable of housing 100,000 people at any one time with every facility known to man included. It not only blows my mind, but sends it on a futuristic expedition where you could potentially build relatively cheap & highly efficient housing for _whole nations_ in a matter of _months_. In fact, we could literally have Sky **nations** in any number of islands/small territories. _One building, one nation_. :eek: The whole thing also makes me think of the old adage: “If it sounds too good to be true…” ETA: Theoretically, is there a limit to how high a building can go? Is our atmosphere the theoretical limit? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2012, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tallest-building-in-the-world-in-90-days-possible/641776/17 "2012-11-22T23:48:10Z")
Note that if the prefab modules used to build the thirty-story hotel and this new building were constructed in advance, it’s perhaps more accurate to say that this building will be _assembled_ in 90 or 210 days, rather than _built_ in that timeframe. ---
**Author:** ![lisiate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f05b48/32.png) [@lisiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisiate)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2013, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tallest-building-in-the-world-in-90-days-possible/641776/18 "2013-07-17T22:44:52Z")
Well June has gone and still no news that [construction has started yet](http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-23115-still-no-word-from-broad-on-sky-city-groundbreak/). ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2013, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tallest-building-in-the-world-in-90-days-possible/641776/19 "2013-07-17T23:01:26Z")
I just Googled Broad Sustainable Building to find out the status of their “world’s tallest building.” [This article](http://qz.com/96583/the-worlds-tallest-building-will-basically-be-a-giant-stack-of-trailer-homes/) from last month mentions a major flaw in their technique. The prefab blocks limit the size of any interior space to just under 13 feet wide. ---
**Author:** ![anson2995](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@anson2995](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anson2995)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2013, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tallest-building-in-the-world-in-90-days-possible/641776/20 "2013-07-18T13:52:04Z")
> [@lisiate](#): > > Well June has gone and still no news that [construction has started yet](http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-23115-still-no-word-from-broad-on-sky-city-groundbreak/). [They broke ground in June](http://www.treehugger.com/modular-design/one-building-one-city-worlds-tallest-prefab-breaking-ground-june.html). [They are now saying it will take seven months to complete.](http://www.businessinsider.com/chinas-sky-city-to-begin-construction-2013-5) Construction of prefab sections is being done off-site, and [pieces will start being assembled in August](http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/world-s-tallest-tower-in-china-will-be-ready-by-march-2014-2013-06-17-1.510562). Plus, zombie. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tallest-building-in-the-world-in-90-days-possible/641776.md?page=2)