近年來，盡管一般的建筑結構設計取得了很大的進步，但是取得顯著成績的還要屬超高層建筑結構設計。
　　最初的高層建筑設計是從鋼結構的設計開始的。鋼筋混凝土和受力外包鋼筒系統(tǒng)運用起來是比較經濟的系統(tǒng)，被有效地運用于大批的民用建筑和商業(yè)建筑中。50層到100層的建筑被定義為超高層建筑。而這種建筑在美國得廣泛的應用是由于新的結構系統(tǒng)的發(fā)展和創(chuàng)新。
　　這樣的高度需要增大柱和梁的尺寸，這樣以來可以使建筑物更加堅固以至于在允許的限度范圍內承受風荷載而不產生彎曲和傾斜。過分的傾斜會導致建筑的隔離構件、頂棚以及其他建筑細部產生循環(huán)破壞。除此之外，過大的搖動也會使建筑的使用者們因感覺到這樣的的晃動而產生不舒服的感覺。無論是鋼筋混凝土結構系統(tǒng)還是鋼結構系統(tǒng)都充分利用了整個建筑的剛度潛力，因此不能指望利用多余的剛度來限制側向位移。
　　在鋼結構系統(tǒng)設計中，經濟預算是根據每平方英寸地板面積上的鋼材的數量確定的。圖示1中的曲線A顯示了常規(guī)框架的平均單位的重量隨著樓層數的增加而增加的情況。而曲線B顯示則顯示的是在框架被保護而不受任何側向荷載的情況下的鋼材的平均重量。上界和下界之間的區(qū)域顯示的是傳統(tǒng)梁柱框架的造價隨高度而變化的情況。而結構工程師改進結構系統(tǒng)的目的就是減少這部分造價。
　　鋼結構中的體系：鋼結構的高層建筑的發(fā)展是幾種結構體系創(chuàng)新的結果。這些創(chuàng)新的結構已


　Although there have been many advancements in building construction technology in general. Spectacular archievements have been made in the design and construction of ultrahigh-rise buildings.
　　The early development of high-rise buildings began with structural steel framing.Reinforced concrete and stressed-skin tube systems have since been economically and competitively used in a number of structures for both residential and commercial purposes.The high-rise buildings ranging from 50 to 110 stories that are being built all over the United States are the result of innovations and development of new structual systems.
　　Greater height entails increased column and beam sizes to make buildings more rigid so that under wind load they will not sway beyond an acceptable limit.Excessive lateral sway may cause serious recurring damage to partitions,ceilings.and other architectural details. In addition,excessive sway may cause discomfort to the occupants of the building because their perception of such motion.Structural systems of reinforced concrete,as well as steel,take full advantage of inherent potential stiffness of the total building and therefore require additional stiffening to limit the sway.