Towers serve many purposes. Radio, TV and wireless communication signals are transmitted from towers. Forest rangers keep a vigilant eye peeled for signs of forest fires from observation towers. Skyscrapers serve an important role in the world’s urban areas.

Like other structures, towers are subjected to dead and live loads. In the case of a skyscraper, dead loads are comprised of steel columns and beams, concrete, and glass – the weight of the structure itself. Live loads include the people milling about on the floors and ascending the elevators; plus furniture, materials, and goods that move into the building.

Another important live load acting on a skyscraper is the force of wind blowing against the exterior surfaces. Because the buildings have an enormous amount of surface area, the force of wind on a skyscraper can be extremely powerful.