Construction of The Burj Khalifa

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Construction of The Burj Khalifa

The Burj Khalifa also known as 'Khalifa Tower in Dubai' is currently the tallest structure in the world which is at 829.8 meter high (2722 ft). The construction of the 163 floor Burj Khalifa started at 6th January 2004 and completed at 2nd December 2009. It is officially open for public at 4th January 2010. The Burj Khalifa which surpassed The Taipei 101 costs around USD 1.5 billion at that time.

The mastermind behind tallest structure in the world !

The mastermind behind this project is Adrian Smith (The architect) and Bill Baker (The structural engineer). The primary structure basically is reinforced concrete. The Burj Khalifa was designed by Adrian Smith, then Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), whose firm designed the Willis Tower and One World Trade Center. Hyder Consulting was chosen to be the supervising engineer with NORR Group Consultants International Limited chosen to supervise the architecture of the project.

The tower was constructed by Samsung C&T from South Korea, who also did work on the Petronas Twin Towers and Taipei 101. Samsung C&T built the tower in a joint venture with Besix from Belgium and Arabtec from UAE. Turner is the Project Manager on the main construction contract. Over 45,000 m3 of concrete, weighing more than 110,000 tonnes were used to construct the concrete and steel foundation, which features 192 piles; each pile is 1.5 metre diameter x 43 m long, buried more than 50 m deep.

The foundation of The Burj Khalifa

The foundation is designed to support the total building weight of approximately 450,000 tonnes. This weight is then divided by the compressive strength of concrete of which is 30 MPa which yield a 450 sq.meters of vertical normal effective area which then yield to a 12 meters by 12 meters dimensions.

A high density, low permeability concrete was used in the foundations of Burj Khalifa in which the Ultimate Compressive Strength reach as much as 30 MPa, an effective area in which concrete is sandwiched by the pile, the column is 12 meters by 12 meters and the thickness as low as possible. A cathodic protection system under the mat is used to minimise any detrimental effects from corrosive chemicals in local ground water.

Records achieved by The Burj Khalifa

World highest building, huge expertise, and huge cost. For sure, the will be lots of greatest records can be achieved by The Burj Khalifa which is ;

• Tallest existing structure: 829.8 m (2,722 ft)
• Tallest structure ever built: 829.8 m (2,722 ft)
• Tallest freestanding structure: 829.8 m (2,722 ft) 
• Tallest skyscraper (to top of spire): 829.8 m (2,722 ft)
• Tallest skyscraper to top of antenna: 829.8 m (2,722 ft)
• Building with most floors: 211 (including spire)
• Building with world's highest occupied floor: 584.5 m (1,918 ft)
• World's highest elevator installation.
• World's longest travel distance elevators: 504 m (1,654 ft)
• Highest vertical concrete pumping (for a building): 606 m (1,988 ft)
• World's tallest structure that includes residential space
• World's highest observation deck: 148th floor at 555 m (1,821 ft)
• World's highest outdoor observation deck: 124th floor at 452 m (1,483 ft)
• World's highest installation of an aluminium and glass façade: 512 m (1,680 ft)
• World's highest nightclub: 144th floor
• World's highest restaurant (At.mosphere): 122nd floor at 442 m (1,450 ft) 
• World's highest New Year display of fireworks.

Right now, your already know about the tallest structure in the world which is The Burj Khalifa, Dubai. But did you know which is tallest twin tower in the world right now? Ever heard of Petronas Twin Tower in Kuala Lumpur ?