# Space Efficiency of Tall Buildings in Singapore
## 4 Results
### Key Structural Design Considerations  
As seen in Figure 6, concrete is predominantly used as a structural material due to its excellent compressive strength, durability, and versatility, which are crucial for high-rise construction in a dense urban environment [99; 100; 101]. Concrete's high compressive strength makes it ideal for supporting the heavy vertical loads of tall buildings, efficiently transferring these forces to the foundation. This is crucial in Singapore, where buildings face not only their own weight but also wind and seismic loads. Concrete also offers better fire resistance than steel, an important safety feature for high-rise buildings. Its adaptability allows for flexible designs, and its sound insulation improves comfort in busy urban areas. With locally available raw materials and cost-effectiveness, concrete is the preferred choice for constructing tall buildings in Singapore.  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c c} \hline \hline  & **Findings** & **Turkey** & **Asia** & **The Middle East** & **North America** \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Function} & Mixed-use (10\%) & Mixed-use (26\%) & \multirow{2}{*}{Mixed-use (57\%)} & \multirow{2}{*}{Mixed-use (33\%)} & Mixed-use (42\%) \\  & Office (35\%) & Office (24\%) & & Office (38\%) & Office (22\%) \\  & Residential (49\%) & Residential (48\%) & Residential (5\%) & Residential (45\%) & \multirow{2}{*}{Residential (22\%)} \\  & Hotel (6\%) & Hotel (2\%) & & & Hotel (3\%) \\ \hline \multirow{2}{*}{Core type} & Central (79\%) & Central (65\%) & Central (99\%) & Central (96\%) & Central (90\%) \\  & Peripheral (21\%) & Peripheral (35\%) & External (1\%) & External (4\%) & Peripheral (10\%) \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Form} & Prismatic (52\%) & Prismatic (23\%) & Prismatic (45\%) & Prismatic (26\%) \\  & Prismatic (73\%) & Setback (15\%) & Setback (13\%) & Setback (7\%) & Setback (29\%) \\ \cline{1-1}  & Free (27\%) & Tapered (11\%) & Tapered (36\%) & Tapered (7\%) & Tapered (26\%) \\ \cline{1-1}  & & Twisted (7\%) & Twisted (1\%) & Twisted (4\%) & \multirow{2}{*}{Free (19\%)} \\ \cline{1-1}  & & Free (15\%) & Free (27\%) & Free (37\%) & \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table}
Table 1: Function, core planning, and form in other regions.  
Figure 5: Tall buildings by form.  
Figure 6: Tall buildings by structural material.  
As shown in Figure 7, shear-walled frame systems are commonly used in Singaporean towers due to their excellent lateral stability and resistance to wind and seismic forces. In this system, shear walls act like deep beams, distributing horizontal forces to the foundation. This is crucial in Singapore, where strong winds and seismic activity are concerns. These systems minimize building sway and lateral movement, improving stability and occupant comfort. They also allow for flexible designs and maximize floor space by requiring fewer columns. Their simplicity, effectiveness in resisting lateral loads, and cost efficiency make them ideal for Singapore's high-rise buildings.  
Table 2 presents a comparative overview of the findings related to structural materials and systems, drawing parallels between the data gathered from Singapore and that of Turkey [83], Asia [84], the Middle East [85], and North America [86].