To resist winds, 44-story Mutual of Omaha tower will have reinforced concrete 'shear core'

Designed to resist horizontal forces like wind, the shear core for the 44-story Mutual of Omaha headquarters is seen rising in downtown Omaha Monday.

The future Mutual of Omaha headquarters tower will have a crucial wind-resistance feature built in. It’s a common feature in tall building architecture, but constructing it in what will be the region’s tallest building requires a specialized device.

Rising from anchors deep underground, a concrete box-like structure called a “shear core” is taking shape in the center of the construction site at 15th and Douglas Streets.