In this episode, I talk with Phillip Quach, BASc, MASc, P.Eng., a structural engineer at RJC Engineers, about how tall buildings are transforming our approach to urban density. We also dive into why it's crucial to validate design material standards through research and real-world testing to ensure they perform as intended. ***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.*** Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Questions I Asked Phil: How does the rise of tall buildings in Toronto address the city's increasing density, and what long-term effects do you foresee for urban development? In 2023, Toronto had 240 active cranes, while the next-busiest city had just 50. What factors contribute to this significant disparity? With your focus on high-rise buildings, what are the typical height ranges of the projects you work on, and what are the main structural challenges you encounter? How do wind tunnel tests influence the structural design of tall buildings, and is this analysis typically handled in-house or outsourced? For most of your tall building projects, do you rely on wind tunnel testing, or do you sometimes use standard code-based wind loads? How have skyscraper designs become more complex over time, and how has this affected material standards and construction methods? Have current building codes resolved the issue of overestimating capacities, or does this problem still persist? For someone unfamiliar with high-rise design, how many viscous coupling dampers are typically needed for a 60-story residential building? How does the leaning design of Park Road introduce additional structural challenges, particularly in managing the forces on columns and walls? Was the construction slab used during the build integrated into the final structure of the building? How is the construction industry addressing the reduction of embodied carbon in building structures, and have you observed a growing trend toward more sustainable practices? What key advice would you offer to young engineers, particularly those interested in the tall building sector, to help them succeed in their careers? Your advice emphasizes lifelong learning, considering grad school for complex projects, and doing a gut check — do you find that gut-checking becomes easier with experience? Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About How Skyscrapers Excel in Surging Urban Density Areas: Toronto's skyline has rapidly transformed due to the rise in tall buildings, reflecting the city's response to increasing urban density. This trend in vertical growth is a key factor in shaping the future of cities worldwide. Toronto's 240 active cranes in 2023 highlight the city's rapid vertical growth, far outpacing other global metropolises. This surge in tall buildings efficiently addresses urban density and reflects a broader trend in city development worldwide. The group's focus is primarily on high-rise buildings, with projects typically reaching 60 stories for residential and 50 stories for commercial buildings. This trend reflects the growing norm for large developments in urban areas, where tall buildings are becoming increasingly common. Wind profiles and interactions with nearby buildings create complex challenges for tall structures, making wind tunnel testing essential. This testing accurately simulates real-world conditions, helping engineers design buildings that can withstand specific environmental demands. For all tall buildings, wind tunnel testing is preferred over standard building code loads to ensure accurate design. Early assessments might use computational fluid dynamics, but the final design typically relies on wind tunnel results to address complex environmental demands.