Taipei 101 stands as a groundbreaking marvel of modern engineering. This iconic tower balances traditional symbolism with cutting-edge technology to survive typhoons and earthquakes.
This quiz looks at the structural secrets behind the giant tower, including its famous tuned mass damper, bamboo-inspired design, and architectural milestones.
Once you finish, explore our trivia on famous buildings, learn about skyscrapers and towers, or test your knowledge on structural engineering.
In which country is Taipei 101 located?
Taiwan
Taiwan
Japan
Japan
Singapore
Singapore
South Korea
South Korea
The exterior design of Taipei 101 was inspired by which natural plant?
Pine tree
Pine tree
Lotus flower
Lotus flower
Palm tree
Palm tree
Bamboo
Bamboo
In what year was Taipei 101 officially completed?
2003
2003
2002
2002
2004
2004
2005
2005
Which building officially surpassed Taipei 101 as the world’s tallest building in 2010?
The Petronas Towers
The Petronas Towers
The Empire State Building
The Empire State Building
The Willis Tower
The Willis Tower
The Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa
What is the main component of Taipei 101’s tuned mass damper?
Reinforced concrete pillars
Reinforced concrete pillars
A system of water tanks
A system of water tanks
A giant steel pendulum
A giant steel pendulum
Automated computer-controlled wings
Automated computer-controlled wings
Between which floors of Taipei 101 is the massive tuned mass damper suspended?
77th and 82nd floors
77th and 82nd floors
82nd and 87th floors
82nd and 87th floors
87th and 92nd floors
87th and 92nd floors
92nd and 97th floors
92nd and 97th floors
Approximately how much does the steel pendulum of the tuned mass damper weigh?
660 tons
660 tons
860 tons
860 tons
560 tons
560 tons
760 tons
760 tons
What is the iconic color of the giant steel sphere used in the mass damper?
Silver
Silver
Blue
Blue
Gold
Gold
Red
Red
What is the primary engineering purpose of the tuned mass damper?
To provide decorative art for tourists
To provide decorative art for tourists
To generate electricity for the building
To generate electricity for the building
To reduce building sway caused by high winds
To reduce building sway caused by high winds
To act as an emergency elevator counterweight
To act as an emergency elevator counterweight
The main tower of Taipei 101 is structured into how many distinct modular sections?
8
8
6
6
12
12
10
10
What is the significance of the number 101 in the building’s name?
It represents the local zip code district
It represents the local zip code district
It represents the total height in meters squared
It represents the total height in meters squared
It represents the year it was commissioned
It represents the year it was commissioned
It represents the number of floors above ground
It represents the number of floors above ground
While the damper helps with earthquakes, it was primarily designed to stabilize the building against which force?
Wind/Typhoon vibrations
Wind/Typhoon vibrations
Internal floor weight distribution
Internal floor weight distribution
Tidal wave impacts
Tidal wave impacts
Groundwater seepage correction
Groundwater seepage correction
Who was the lead architect responsible for the design of Taipei 101?
C.Y. Lee
C.Y. Lee
Zaha Hadid
Zaha Hadid
Norman Foster
Norman Foster
I.M. Pei
I.M. Pei
To withstand earthquakes, the foundation of Taipei 101 is secured using what method?
Structural steel bracing
Structural steel bracing
A concrete foundation mat anchored into bedrock
A concrete foundation mat anchored into bedrock
A floating pneumatic base
A floating pneumatic base
Glass curtain walls
Glass curtain walls
The building’s design features segments resembling bamboo boxes, and the building is structured into how many 8-story segments?
7
7
9
9
8
8
6
6
The design of Taipei 101 features segments resembling traditional Chinese money boxes, which historically symbolize what in Chinese culture?
Longevity and growth
Longevity and growth
Prosperity and health
Prosperity and health
Balance and harmony
Balance and harmony
Strength and resilience
Strength and resilience
Including the spire, what is the total height of Taipei 101 in meters?
488 meters
488 meters
528 meters
528 meters
508 meters
508 meters
518 meters
518 meters
How can visitors experience the tuned mass damper in person?
Visible from the public observation deck
Visible from the public observation deck
Hidden inside a secure vault in the basement
Hidden inside a secure vault in the basement
Moving along tracks on the exterior facade
Moving along tracks on the exterior facade
Locked inside the spire at the very top
Locked inside the spire at the very top
Taipei 101 features an indoor observation deck located on which floor?
85th floor
85th floor
91st floor
91st floor
87th floor
87th floor
89th floor
89th floor
Besides the damper, how does the building’s structural form further reduce wind stress?
High-density lead lining in the walls
High-density lead lining in the walls
Active counter-rotating motors in the core
Active counter-rotating motors in the core
Hydraulic pillars on every floor
Hydraulic pillars on every floor
Aerodynamic design to shed wind vortices
Aerodynamic design to shed wind vortices
What is the maximum allowed horizontal movement of Taipei 101’s tuned mass damper sphere?
1.0 meter
1.0 meter
2.5 meters
2.5 meters
1.5 meters
1.5 meters
2.0 meters
2.0 meters
How many stories are in each of the repeating modules designed to help Taipei 101 handle wind forces?
6 stories
6 stories
8 stories
8 stories
12 stories
12 stories
10 stories
10 stories
Why is the bamboo metaphor appropriate for the high-rise engineering of Taipei 101?
Because the building’s lighting mimics the color of bamboo leaves
Because the building’s lighting mimics the color of bamboo leaves
Because bamboo is hollow yet incredibly strong
Because bamboo is hollow yet incredibly strong
Because the building uses bamboo-based composite materials
Because the building uses bamboo-based composite materials
Because bamboo is considered a fire-resistant organic material
Because bamboo is considered a fire-resistant organic material
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