How long would skyscrapers last without people?

With storms, radiation, and other natural weathering, buildings would start to collapse relatively quickly. On the other hand, the massive constructs that are skyscrapers are designed to last between 500 and 1000 years, and could survive slightly longer.



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The Ise Jingu temple complex in Japan has survived for well over 1000 years despite using a relatively simple timber frame structure. It remains because every 20 years, the main structures of the temple are completely rebuilt from scratch.

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According to Bill Baker, the structural engineer behind the Burj Khalifa, the typical building is designed to withstand winds from a 700-year storm, while larger skyscrapers are designed to withstand events that occur just once every two millennia.

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