660-Ton Pendulum Protects Taiwan’s Tallest Building From Earthquakes

• A 660-ton steel sphere hangs between the 87th and 92nd floors of Taiwan’s tallest building.
• The “tuned mass damper” can reduce the building’s movements by up to 40%.
• With the ability to move about 5 feet from side to side, the pendulum protects against earthquakes and high winds.

Taiwan’s tallest skyscraper has a special device to protect it from earthquakes and high winds: a 660-ton steel pendulum that hangs over a thousand feet above…