I can't tell if it's the pressure of my feet beating...or the building actually wobbles. Im always feeling this in buildings especially when I am higher up. Could it be the pressure that makes me feel like this too?
2006-09-10 06:39:48 · 11 answers · asked by charming_imogen 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
yes, actually tall buildings are designed with shocks and large springs so that they 'give' a little with the wind or earthquakes. so it's quite normal to feel a 'wobble'.
2006-09-10 06:41:15 · answer #1 · answered by Eos 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is. Tall buildings, especially skyscrapers and the like are built on what engineers call a "floating foundation". The way it was explained to me by an engineering major senior, was that this is basically a suspension system going down multiple floors into the ground with sliding beams. This is a special precaution in case of hurricanes, strong winds in general and earthquakes. Thus, to make the buildings not collapse, the make them sway from side to side. In fact, if you go to the Sears Tower or the Empire State building, starting from around the 30th floors, if it's kind of a windy day, you can see the water sploshing around in the toillet bowls. And while this is sort of creepy, it's perfectly normal.
2006-09-10 06:45:43 · answer #2 · answered by midelfsis 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tall building are supposed to move a little to make them more stable. I stayed near the top of a hotel in Hawaii that moved so much I felt a little ill. Some bridges also sway.
2006-09-10 06:47:35 · answer #3 · answered by Susan G 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry you are quite safe and you are not really crazy !!!
Where I live, all tall buildings have to have this flexibility as we are in an earthquake zone. It's a bit like a reed bending in the wind, if it didn't have that flexibility it would snap.
You will get used to it, the only other alternative if you can't stand it is to move to the ground floor.
2006-09-10 06:51:31 · answer #4 · answered by sarah b 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. These days buildings all over the world are built to withstand earthquakes or any other movement of the earth. They have rubber blocks in between the brick layers. these help it to move without colapsing..!! Even buildings that have just been built move because they are settling down...!! thats where cracks come from!!! hope i helped ya!!
2006-09-10 06:42:28 · answer #5 · answered by srwebb06 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I worked in the Sears Tower (Chicago) you could actually watch the walls move. If they didn't move, they would collapse. You can feel trucks rumble by in regular buildings, all the time.
2006-09-10 06:47:33 · answer #6 · answered by chante 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A couple of stories, no.
Very tall buildings, yes. They are designed to do so.
2006-09-10 06:44:30 · answer #7 · answered by secretsauce 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is caused by a little of both but yes building acually do move alot more then people think so your not crazy its happening
2006-09-10 06:42:21 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually really tall buddings do sway a little, they are designed to so that the structure isn't compromised do to environment.
2006-09-10 06:42:25 · answer #9 · answered by spider 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah, i think you have a severe case of high anxiety.
2006-09-10 06:42:29 · answer #10 · answered by Kamran 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋