Question

Mrs. Smith wants a new second story that will double the size and value of her house. The floor of the new story will be above the BFE. Will the old first floor have to be elevated?

A. Yes
B. No
C. Only if mandated by local laws
D. Depends on the new structure's weight

Answer 1

Your weight is slightly less at the top of a tall building compared to the first floor due to a small decrease in gravity with altitude. Engineers consider many factors for structural support, but the change in gravity is typically negligible for design purposes. The correct option is D.

Step-by-step explanation:

Your weight at the top of a tall building is slightly less than your weight on the first floor. This is because the acceleration due to gravity, g, decreases with altitude. While the change in g is very small, engineers do need to take into account a variety of factors when designing structural support for tall buildings, including wind loads, seismic activity, and material strength.

However, the change in the value of g due to the altitude alone is usually negligible for all but the tallest buildings. Instead, other more significant factors related to the building's height are more critical in the design process. For instance, the sway of a building caused by wind or earthquakes can significantly influence the structural requirements.

So, while the value of g itself may not be a significant consideration, other aspects related to the building’s height are critical and must be carefully engineered for safety and stability.