​​Concrete is an excellent material for both high rise and low rise buildings. Continued improvement in concrete strength in the past decade has been a major factor in the development of taller buildings throughout the world. New structural systems—including high-strength concrete—created either from reinforced concrete alone or with a composite system that includes both concrete and structural steel are partly responsible. These systems enable skyscrapers to resist the enormous wind and earthquake loads imposed along their height and allow these structures to support the vertical loads created by gravity, the weight of the building, and its occupants.

A major advantage of concrete construction for high-rise buildings is the material’s inherent properties of heaviness and mass, which create lateral stiffness. Occupants of concrete towers are less able to perceive building motion than occupants of comparable tall buildings with other structural systems. As a result, concrete has become the material of choice for many tall, slim towers like Trump Tower in Chicago.

Designers select concrete for one-, two-, and three-story stores, restaurants, schools, hospitals, commercial warehouses, terminals, and industrial buildings because of its durability and ease of construction. In addition, concrete is often the most economical choice. Load-bearing concrete exterior walls carry roof and wind loads, eliminating the need to erect separate cladding and structural systems.

Other benefits of concrete buildings:

Maximizes Space. Because the depth of a concrete frame is shallower than a steel structure, a concrete building has lower floor-to-floor heights. Structural concrete provides more floors than a steel building of the same height. For buildings taller than five stories, this reduction in floor-to-floor height translates into one additional floor of occupied space for every five floors.
Reduction in height also reduces costs. There’s less material and labor cost for exterior building finishes and mechanical, electrical, and HVAC components with vertical runs.

Tenant Friendly. Concrete can accommodate variations in architectural design to suit tenant or owner needs. Concrete buildings also adapt to tenant modifications without the special fireproofing needs required by structural steel.

Sound and Vibration Proof. Concrete buildings have excellent acoustics. In standardized tests of sound absorption, transmission, and isolation, concrete receives high ratings because of its density. The high density of concrete also resists vibration and electrical interference—prime considerations for today’s highly computerized and networked office environment.

Beauty. Concrete buildings have a rich architectural legacy. Concrete’s ability to accept any form, finish, color, or texture has long made it the most versatile of building materials.

Speed of Construction. Early strength concrete and flowing mixes can speed up construction time considerably. Using a set of mixes from Prairie and flying forms and pumps, McHugh Construction was routinely building 2 floors per week at Aqua and Trump Tower in Chicago.

Fire Safety. Concrete has far greater fire resistance than steel. It requires no fireproofing treatments and easily and economically meets the most stringent fire codes.

Indoor Air Quality. Concrete is basically inert. Its concentration and emission rates for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are the lowest among construction materials. And, more importantly, concrete needs no fireproofing or other coatings that emit indoor air pollutants.​