Why are skyscrapers built thin, instead of stacking 100 arenas on top of each other?

Question

Why are skyscrapers built thin, instead of stacking 100 arenas on top of each other?

In: Engineering

Answer 1

I haven’t seen anyone mention it yet, but Wind. When you get the real tall skyscrapers, they are designed to sway and flex in the wind. When you get broad structures like an arena, not only does it catch a lot more wind, it can’t flex nearly as well. A large rigid structure that can’t respond to winds is a recipe for disaster.