Download Sunlight reflection on cladding of Burj Khalifa

Burj Khalifa- An Engineering Marvel
Abstract
This report discusses the engineering and construction dynamics of Burj Khalifa. The Burj
Khalifa is the tallest building ever constructed by man having height of 830 meters and
consisting of 163 floors. The initial amalgamation of aerodynamic design and wind engineering
played a vital role in architecture and design of the tower. This paper will briefly provide an
overview of the building’s design, construction and engineering. In addition to that, the paper
provides brief description of building’s structural organization, emphasizes on major issues
regarding architectural and constructional planning. Some facts and figures regarding building
construction are also provided in this report.
Introduction
It is an underestimation to say that Burj Khalifa signify the high tech construction design.
Through commencement to the completion, an amalgamation of numerous innovative
technologies and innovative construction design procedures have paid off in the shape of wellorganized and durable structure. [1]
The Burj Khalifa was planned to be the showpiece of the high level Burj Dubai Development
that elevates into the sky to an exceptional altitude of 830 meters and comprises of 163 floors.
The project was initiated in 2004 and completed in 2009. [2]
Elevating 830 meters over the desert city of Dubai, the Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the
world, beating all prior records. This category of high level project demanded contemporary
study, construction material, structural technologies, and building techniques to exactly new
extent. Although, the building of this altitude has never been built before, it is also crucial to
guarantee equipments and methodologies applied are safe and protected. [3]
The construction phase of Burj Khalifa was handed over to a South Korean organization,
Samsung Engineering and Construction. The initial formation is shatterproof concrete
measuring 45 thousand cubic meters and weighing more than 110 thousand tons. The piles of
steel used in the foundation were 192 in number. [4]
The 334,000 square-meter skyscraper includes office, commercial, and residential space
together with 5-star Armani hotel. Constructed of shatterproof concrete and glass-clad
polycarbonate, the building of constituted of 3 elements assembled around a central supported
core. [5]
Construction Time-Line:
Jan, 2004
Commencement of Excavation
Feb, 2004
Foundation construction started
March, 2005
Commencement of Superstructure
Jun, 2006
Completion of 50th floor
Jan, 2007
Completion of 100th floor
Mar, 2007
Completion of 110th floor
Apr, 2007
Completion of 120th floor
May, 2007
Completion of 130th floor
July, 2007
Completion of 141st floor
Sept, 2007
Completion of 150th floor
Apr, 2008
Completion of 160th floor
Jan, 2009
Completion of steeple
Sept, 2009
Completion of External gloss clad
Jan 4, 2010
Official opening ceremony [6]
Top ten tallest buildings of the world
Structural Aspects of Burj Khalifa
Architecture:
The design of Burj Khalifa accents a three lobed footprint; a representation of the
Amaryllidoideae flower. The tower consists of 3 sections assembled around a central hub. The
architects of the building designed the building in the Y-shape in order to minimize wind forces
on the building and in addition to maintain simpler structure and to promote build-ability. The
construction system is supported core. Every section with its individual reinforced concrete
passage walls and boundary pillars supports the other sections through six-sided central
foundation. Consequentially, the tower is tremendously rigid tangentially and torsionaly.
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill(company which handled the architectural aspect of the building)
put in application a meticulous geometry to the building that arranged in line all sections to
common hexagonal foundation. [1] [8]
The wind opposition was necessary to the building design. To guarantee the protection of the
structure, several wind channel experiments were performed. Actually the tower was exposed
to a comprehensive evaluation procedure. All main technical features of the plan were
investigated and studied by experts to authenticate the protection and efficiency of
technological and structural methodologies. The wide range program contains 3 separate
examine appraisal programs on the structural engineering, technical engineering and wind
testing. [9] [10]
The building contains the world’s first 5-star Armani Hotel which was invested completely by
Giorgio Armani. The Hotel takes in first 17 floors of the tower.
Y-Shaped design of the building
Foundation:
The structure of 163 floors is sustained by a large shatterproof concrete carpet, which
consequently is sustained by perforated shatterproof concrete loads. The structure was based
on wide-range engineering analysis. The carpet is approximately 3.7 m thick, and was
assembled in four detached layers. The concrete that was being applied was 12.5 thousand m 3.
The heaps of concrete having length of 43 meters and diameter of 1.5 meter were used in the
foundation. The concrete of high concentration and low penetration was employed in the
foundations. In addition to that a cathodic fortification system was applied under the carpet in
order to reduce any harmful effects from acidic chemicals in ground water. [11]
Podium:
At base level, the building is sustained by a shatterproof concrete carpet which is 1.5 meters in
diameter and 4 meters in thickness. A three storey podium provides supports to the building.
The podium offers a foundation support to the tower, providing direct access to different
sections of the building. Entirely gloss entrance pavilions built with hovering net composition
offers separate entrances for residential and commercial area.
Steeple (Spire):
The surmount feel of Burj Khalifa is because of its telescopic steeple composed of more than
40,000,000 kilograms of steel. The steeple was built from inside of building and elevated to its
full altitude of more than 700 feet using hydraulic force. The steeple generates a feel of
comprehensiveness to the building as well as secure Burj Khalifa position as world’s tallest
building. If this spire is removed from the building, the building would lose more than 200
meters from the total height of the building. The steeple also accommodates
telecommunication apparatuses within itself. [12]
Cladding:
Like many other records, Burj Khalifa also holds a world record for maximum utilization of
aluminum and glass panels and also installation of glass panels at maximum height (512m).
About 300 Chinese experts were called from china for cladding work in the building. Burj
Khalifa’s exterior cladding structure is planned to survive the scorching heat of Dubai. In total,
24,350 steel and aluminum panels were utilized in the building which not only enhances the
beauty of the building but gleaming exterior of these panels diminishes heat transmission. [13]
[12]
Sunlight reflection on cladding of Burj Khalifa
Conclusion
Until last century nobody has ever dreamed of creating a structure of that elevation and
rigidness. The construction of Burj Khalifa is in fact a landmark and state of the art. This project
demonstrates that such landmarks are directly related to the advancement in technologies,
techniques and engineering. Apparently, the Burj Khalifa poject capitalized these aspects in its
construction. As of now, the Burj Khalifa is the tallest artificial structure in the world, and it has
provided a roadmap for other architectural landmarks in the region and even throughout the
globe. The Burj Khalifa is another step forward in creating a healthy and positive image of the
region and the Muslim World. This project illustrated that Muslim world is in line with the
western world in technological aspects.
References
[1] K. Puckett, ""Burj Dubai: Top of the world". Building," 3 October 2008.
[2] "Burj Khalifa - The Skyscraper Center," in Council on Tall Buildings and Urban
Habitat.
[3] M. Stack, "In Dubai, the Sky's No Limit," Los Angeles Times, 13 October 2005.
[4] " Samsung Engineering & Construction," Samsung E&C Projects, 23 March 2009.
[5] S. McGilney, "Armani Residences defy 70% Burj Khalifa price drop," Arabian
Business, 12 October 2010.
[6] "Burj Dubai Construction Timeline," BrujDubai.com, 31 December 2009.
[7] E. Keegan, "Adrian Smith Leaves SOM, Longtime Skidmore partner bucks retirement
to start new firm," ArchitectOnline, 15 October 2006.
[8] M. Saberi, " Burj Dubai is the height of success," Gulf News, 31 December 2009.
[9] Irwin, "The Burj Dubai Tower Wind Engineering," Structure magazine, June 2006.
[10] Irwin, " Wind Tunnel Testing," Structure Magazine, September 2006.
[11] M. Croucher, "Myth of ‘Babu Sassi’ Remains After Burj Cranes Come Down," Khaleej
Times, 11 november 2009.
[12] "The Burj Khalifa," Glass, Steel and Stone, 8 January 2010.
[13] "Structural Elements – Elevator, Spire, and More," BurjDubai.com, 31 December
2009.
Frequently Asked Questions
 Q1: How many floors does Burj Khalifa have?
 Ans: 163 floors.
 Q2: Which type of concrete has been used in major fraction of Burj Khalifa
and which type of concrete was employed in the foundation?
 Ans: Shatterproof concrete was used in the major fraction of the building
and the concrete employed in the foundation was high concentration and
low penetration concrete.
 Q3: What is the function of spire in the building and what will happen if it is
removed from Burj Khalifa?
 Ans: The spire generates a feel of comprehensiveness to the building as
well as secure Burj Khalifa position as world’s tallest building. If this spire is
removed from the building, the building would lose more than 200 meters
from the total height of the building.
 Q4: What steps were taken in order to ensure the protection of building’s
structure?
 Ans: To guarantee the protection of the structure, several wind channel
experiments were performed.
 Q5: When was official launch ceremony of Burj Khalifa took place?
 Ans: The official launch ceremony of Burj Khalifa took place on 4th January
2010.
 Q6: Which five-star hotel takes in first 17 floors of the building?
 Ans: Giorgio Armani.
 Q7: How many steel and aluminum panels were employed for the sake of
exterior cladding?
 Ans: 24,350 panels.
 Q8: From where and how many experts were summoned, for the cladding
related work?
 Ans: Around 300 Chinese experts were called to Dubai, for cladding related
work.