Skyscrapers are strong, yet flexible structures that are built upon certain construction materials.
The structure of a modern-day skyscraper is usually composed of the same basic materials, regardless of where it is built. Developers choose each material for its strength and versatile qualities, such as its ability to flex under stress from natural events like wind, temperature changes and storms. Skyscrapers in many parts of the world are also built to be resistant to damage that earthquakes cause.
Concrete
Concrete is the main material of most large, modern structures due to its ability to withstand enormous weight and pressure.
Concrete is a building material that must endure large amounts of weight, pressure and temperature changes. The material comes from quarry deposits of sand and gravel. These main components are mixed with cement, composed of calcium oxide and lime minerals, which holds the concrete mixture together. Concrete is essentially a man-made form of liquid rock that gets harder as it dries over the years. The concrete in skyscrapers is reinforced with metal bars -- known as rebars -- that are embedded within it to add to its strength and flexibility.
Steel
Steel forms the framework of a skyscraper, upon which concrete walls and floors are built.
The steel developers use in skyscrapers is usually carbon steel, which has increased strength and durability over stainless steel and other common steels. Carbon steel is mostly composed of iron, with small amounts of carbon and manganese added during manufacturing. Iron is extracted from iron ore deposits found in various nations around the world, then melted and refined in high-temperature furnaces to produce various grades of steel.
Glass
Building glass is an important component of any skyscraper, giving it flexibility and added strength against wind.
Glass is a very flexible material under stress as opposed to concrete and steel -- allowing the building to respond to air pressure changes from storms. Glass can also be glazed to filter out harmful ultraviolet light or let light in that aids in heating the skyscraper. Quartz sand is mined to extract the silicon dioxide content as silica, which is purified in furnaces into glass.
Drywall
Drywall is a major component of a skyscraper -- important for its strength.
Drywall is used to build walls in both commercial and residential structures. It is made mostly out of gypsum, or hydrated calcium sulfate, that is mined and purified from calcium deposits in ancient seabeds. It is a durable, moisture-resistant compound that is inexpensive to make and has effective insulating properties. It adds strength to the structure of a skyscraper and makes it more energy efficient as well.
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