Why do skyscrapers sway?
Answer:
You may find this website useful, but here is a paragraph to give you a quick answer:
In addition to the vertical force of gravity, skyscrapers also have to deal with the horizontal force of wind. Most skyscrapers can easily move several feet in either direction, like a swaying tree, without damaging their structural integrity. The main problem with this horizontal movement is how it affects the people inside. If the building moves a substantial horizontal distance, the occupants will definitely feel it.
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Most skyscrapers sway because the wind creates a force on them. When a wind blows in a particular direction, the force will be in that direction and dependant on the speed of the wind and the surface area of the skyscraper. Along with the design of the skyscraper, these factors will determine the amount that the skyscraper sways.
Skyscrapers are all designed with sway taken into account, since it is a top issue regarding safety. In fact, the space needle was designed to sway a certain amount of inches for every mph of wind.
A great source is Wikipedia.com
harmonic motion is a key factor along with wind.
well cuz of the wind. right? i think they have a give in them so the pressure of the wind is distributed and the force is absorbed.
I don't know for real, this is just what i think
if they did not sway the force of the wind would not alow them to stand and they would break apart. Think of it like a shock on your car. Without it it would be stiff and things would break
This is the way I understand it. A tall building has its center of gravity low underground. If I was sitting on someone's shoulders, we would both sway the taller we are given external (and in our case internal factors such as weak knees etc). This is because our combined center of gravity is lower than our middle. Wind hitting a building will cause it to gently rock back and forward. If the building was built right, the architects account for this and will make the building somewhat flexible to allow for the rotation but not enough to let it collapse, otherwise the building would collapse (think of trying to bend a pane of glass or a piece of wood).
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