Tokyo International Airport New Control Tower

The new air traffic control tower is the tallest in Japan, at 115.7 m. It is the first use of massive and highly-rigid reinforced concrete for a super high-rise control tower in Japan. As wind sway can become severe in the direction perpendicular to the wind, the plan shape of the tower part is elliptical, with the long axis perpendicular to the prevailing wind, to reduce wind sway. We installed two hybrid damping systems, each combining active and passive damping, as well as an seismic isolation system directly below the control room. These systems produce a “bird cage-shaped” structure with few columns in the interior of the control room. Slim steel columns and sash windows on the periphery provide high visibility.