Changes in American Structural Standards for Concrete and Masonry High Rise Buildings

In the years prior to 1885, tall buildings were constructed by traditional methods using load bearing walls. As buildings were built taller, walls became thicker and more massive. The first century of high-rise construction saw many enormous breakthroughs in technology and in building codes. To meet the challenges of high-rise construction in the future, building codes must continue to improve to keep pace with new untried ideas and concepts. New construction techniques must be incorporated in the codes to permit continued increase in building heights. The next ten years will see major changes in masonry and reinforced concrete building codes. Strength design will be developed for masonry construction, and concrete codes will develop revised design procedures for shear, prestressed concrete, and new materials.