Fazlur Khan (1929–1982): reflections on his life and works

• Published in: Canadian journal of civil engineering Vol. 29; no. 2; pp. 238 - 245
• Main Authors: Mufti, Aftab A, Bakht, Baidar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ottawa, Canada NRC Research Press 01.04.2002; National Research Council of Canada; Canadian Science Publishing NRC Research Press
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Architecture; Building structure; Buildings. Public works; Construction (buildings and works); Designs plans etc; Exact sciences and technology; High rise buildings; High rise structure; Khan, Fazlur; Miscellaneous; Personal profiles; Stresses. Safety; Structural analysis. Stresses; Structural engineering; Asia; India; Structural design; Innovation; Engineer; Architecture; Biography; Aesthetics; High rise building
• ISSN: 0315-1468; 1208-6029
• DOI: 10.1139/l01-092

Tall buildings, or skyscrapers, are icons of cities, symbols of corporate power, and a mark of national pride. Certain skyscrapers, such as the John Hancock Center and the Sears Tower in Chicago, are also marvels of engineering that have paved the way for ever increasing heights of structural systems. Since the 1960s, a series of new structural systems has been introduced with the objective of achieving economically-competitive and aesthetically-pleasing tall buildings without compromising safety. One of the great structural engineers responsible for the new structural systems was Dr. Fazlur Rahman Khan. This paper provides a biographical sketch of Dr. Khan and discusses some of his innovations pertaining to high-rise buildings. It shows that his contributions led to a new vertical scale for the modern day city.Key words: aesthetics, architecture, innovation, structural system, tall building.