8 Famous steel structures

Hidden Strengths: Revealing the Role of Rebar in Historic Treasures

We have heard of, and many of us have visited, the world’s most famous buildings that reach for the sky and unite nations. Many iconic structures, like the 8 famous steel structures listed here, would not be possible without the use of construction metal, specifically rebar.

These structures highlight the importance of rebar in the durability and strengthening of concrete structures, enabling architects and engineers to create impressive and iconic infrastructural masterpieces.

In today’s blog, we reveal the rebar’s strong sides: its role as a historical treasure!

8. Willis Tower, Chicago

Chicago’s Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower, is a remarkable structure to look at. It’s as though several distinct structures, all of varying height, are bolted together to give it added strength against the strong winds for which Chicago is well-known. Steel plays an important part in the structure of the Willis Tower, as the steel frame binds each segment of the building together.

7. Shun Hing Square Tower, Shenzen

Currently holding the record for China’s largest all-steel building, the Shun Hing Square Tower was constructed at an amazing pace of four floors every nine days.

6. Taipei 101 Tower in Taiwan

Standing at half a kilometre tall, the Taipei 101 Tower is testament to the strength and durability of steel. It has 61 elevators and was named one of the Seven Wonders of Engineering by The Discovery Channel.

5. Brooklyn Bridge

Another of New York’s icons, the Brooklyn Bridge deserves a place among the top 10 as it was the very first steel-wire suspension bridge built in 1869. The steel is so thick and construction so challenging, it took a decade to complete.

4. Burj Khalifa, Dubai

Currently the world’s tallest manmade structure, the Burj Khalifa stands at 829.8m. Using a bundled tube design to reduce the amount of steel required, the building has 163 floors, an 11h park and a 275m long fountain that shoots water 150m into the air. Interestingly, the amount of steel rebar used is 31,400 metric tonnes, laid end to end this would extend one quarter of the way around the globe.

3. Sydney Harbour Bridge

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is the world’s largest steel arch bridge (not the longest) and is Australia’s most renowned international symbol of Australia. The total steelwork weighs 52,800 tonnes, with 39,000 in the arch. Its 49m wide deck carries an incredible eight lanes of traffic, two train lines, a footpath and a cyclepath.

2. Empire State Building

One of New York’s most iconic buildings, the Empire State Building, was constructed in 1931 and has been amazing people ever since. The building’s steel frame weighs a hefty 57,000 tonnes, while the beautiful Art Deco exterior is composed of 200,000 cubic feet of limestone and granite, 10 million bricks and 730 tonnes of aluminium and stainless steel. And, it only took 13 months to build.

1. Beijing National Stadium, Beijing

The Beijing National Stadium, also known as the Bird’s Nest stadium, took five years to complete and was China’s centrepiece for the 2008 Olympic Games. It is an architectural wonder constructed with more than 42,000 tonnes of steel. It is the largest steel structure in the world.