The question remains, practically, how tall can we build? The structural engineer of Burj Khalifa, Bill Baker claims that if we use a modified version of the Buttressed Core, we can possibly build a building with a height of more than 2 miles. He says it’s possible to build a building taller than 3 km. He even claims that theoretically, we can build a building taller than Mount Everest. But practically, the problem would be the taller the building gets, the more weight you put on the floors at the bottom.
The force on the lower levels of the building, and the force of the strong winds at the top of the building, will be the two major challenges in building the tallest building possible. We can definitely use innovative design, engineering, and construction techniques, but what will happen if your material gives up? As of now, the materials that we know of, such as concrete, steel, aluminium, all have a limit. If we want to exceed these limits, we will need to invent such materials that are lighter and more durable than these.
A promising material that is said to be is Carbon Fibre. Lightweight fibres made of carbon, woven like a mesh. It is stronger and lighter than steel, and perhaps it will enable us to build taller buildings. But before these complex engineering problems, there will be the problem of the human body. As buildings cross the mark of 1.5km-3km, the altitude will be so high that there will be differences in the air pressure.
