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Case Study: BIM implementation in Shanghai Tower
a W h J k d q l y s v
What is the tallest tower in Shanghai?
BIM implementation in Shanghai Tower: China recently witnesses an architectural revolution especially in
skyscrapers and stadiums construction. It is expected in 2015 that 106 buildings of 200 meter or greater will
be completed in China. One of these buildings is Shanghai tower, a mega tall skyscraper with more than
600-meter height. This structure will be the tallest tower in China and the second tallest building in the
world. [i]
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1. Record-breaker: ‘Shanghai Tower’ The World’s Second Tallest Building Completed in

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2. Piercing the Sky – What is the Tallest Building in the World?

https://www.arch2o.com/case-study-bim-shanghai-tower/ 1/27
3/27/2020 Case Study: BIM implementation in Shanghai Tower - Arch2O.com
3. Jeddah Tower: 10 Things to Know About The World’s Tallest Building in 2020
Courtesy of CTBUH.
Courtesy of CTBUH.
The design and construction process of a mega tall tower is very di cult and complicated project. Such
projects need a pro cient quali ed project management that can coordinate effectively between the
different teams. The tower is a considerable example of successful outstanding management for this type
of skyscrapers.
The tower is a multi-functional building. It includes nine different functional zones with 7 structural systems
and more than 30 electrical, mechanical, and intelligent subsystems. It is a complicated structure that
requires a large number of specialists and professions in different disciplines to come together. Hence, the
project employed more than 30 consulting companies in architectural structure, mechanical and electrical
engineering, re protection, and curtain wall design. It also contracted with a dozen of subcontractors in
foundation, structure, and machinery. [ii]
Courtesy of Gensler
This huge number of employees and specialists put the project managers in front of a challenge to nd an
effective strategy for coordination system. They search for an effective information technology that
achieves a exible unison between all disciplines through one uni ed platform [ii]. For this goal, they
adopted BIM technology.
Courtesy of Gensler
Building Background
The tower is located in Lujiazui district, in Pudong, and is considered one of the leading nancial centers in
East Asia. Gensler Company designed the tower through an international multi-staged design competition.
The tower is considered one of three distinct buildings that present the past, present and the future of
Shanghai city. The design was inspired by Shanghai traditions, and its spiraling form presents the dynamic
emergence of modern China. [iii]
Courtesy of Gensler
The tower is 632 meters height with 121 storeys. It vertically divided into 9 functional zones, each zone rises
12 to 15 oors with a public space balcony within curtain walls. The lowest ground zone occupied by an open
market that connects the tower with the surrounded activities and Shanghai’s Metro, whereas the podium
zone involves stores and restaurants. The o ces occupy the middle zone while the hotel was placed in the
top with the observation deck [iii]. The construction of the building started in 2009 and it is predicted to be
opened in 2015. [iv]
Courtesy of Gensler
Courtesy of CTBUH – Photographer: Terri Meyer Boake.
Overview of BIM Implementation
As we know, BIM technology has proven lately valuable e ciency in the systematization of different
construction projects mainly in collaboration, coordination, and sharing data. It uni es the platform for all
disciplines to share their design les. It is an effective information system that creates a database for all
design and construction phases. This database considers the DNA of the building and can be a reference for
future maintenance and development [ii]. For that reason, Shanghai’s Tower Construction & Development
decided to employ this technology in operating the design, structure, and construction processes of the
tower. Jianping Gu, director and general manager of the company explains, “We knew that if we tried to
work in a traditional way, using traditional tools and delivery systems, it would be extremely di cult to carry
out this project successfully.” [v]
Courtesy of Shanghai Tower Construction & Development.
Accordingly, BIM application system was implemented and run since the rst phase of the project at the end
of 2008[ii]. Autodesk applications were chosen for the system by applying Revit Architecture, Structure and
MEP software for the design and documentation processes. Whereas Autodesk Naviswork Manage software
was used to facilitate the coordination between the employees. Ecotect Analysis was also utilized for
environmental analysis. In addition, Autodesk Consulting implemented on-site BIM environment for the local
team and afforded training and support services. “By combining Autodesk’s BIM technology and the deep
expertise of Autodesk Consulting, we have been able to successfully transition to BIM much faster. As a
result, this project has set new standards for the information management of construction projects in
China,” says Gu. [v]
Courtesy of Shanghai Tower Construction & Development
Shanghai Tower’s Geometry
The owing spiraling form of the tower was generated from a rounded triangular plan. This rounded triangle
was derived from the relationship between the curved bank of Huangpu River, Jin Mao Tower, and the
Shanghai World Financial Center. This attractive and distinctive form will be a milestone in Shanghai city for
representing China as a global nancial power. [iii]
Courtesy of CTBUH – Photographer: Tansri Muliani.
Gensler Company designed the tower according to three main components that are parametrically modi ed
and twisted:
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1. Horizontal Profile:
It is shaped as an equilateral triangle with smooth edges derived from two tangential curves. There are two
variables that shaped the pro le: The radius of the large circle and its location to the center of the
equilateral triangle. [vi]
Courtesy of Gensler.
2. Vertical Pro le:
It is modeled by tapering the ground horizontal pro le with the upper one, which resulted a right circular
cone. The taper operation supported the function of the building. The wide lower pro le afforded wide
spans for the market and o ces, whereas the slender upper plans provided short spans for the hotel. [vi]
Courtesy of Gensler
3. Rate of Twist:
It is a linear rotation operation from the base to the top. This process used different rotation angles to nd
out the best angle for the design. [vi]
The design team generated a number of alternatives for the geometry depending on two variables: the
percentage of tapering operation and the angle of a twisting process. They built two models with different
scales; 1:85 and 1:500. These models were examined by Wind Tunnel Test to determine the best alternative
design that can bear the wind loads. The test concluded that the form should be tapered 55% and twisted
120o. These values create a geometry that reduces 24% in structural wind loads and cladding pressure and
saves 50 $ million USD from structure budget. [vi]
After all, we notice that the design process of Shanghai tower was not simple and effortless. It is undergone
many studies and experiments that resulted a light elegant transparent tower that achieved 32% saving of
the estimated materials for its construction. [iii]
Courtesy of Gensler
READ MORE:
4 Historical Sites That Offer Free Online Virtual Tours
[i] Safarik, Daniel, Antony Woods, Marty Carver and Marshall Gerometta. “An All-Time Record 97 Buildings of
200 Meters or Higher Completed in 2014.” CTBUH 2014 Year in Review Report, The Council on Tall Buildings
and Urban Habitat, (2014). www.ctbuh.org
[ii] Ge, Qing. “BIM Applications in the Shanghai Tower Construction.” CTBUH 2012 9th World Congress,
Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, Shanghai, China (2012).
[iii] Gensler. “Design Update of Shanghai Tower.” Gensler Publications, (2010) www.gensler.com
[iv] The Skyscrapers Center. “Shanghai Tower.” The Global Data Base of CTBUH,(2015).
www.skyscraperscenter.com
[v] Autodesk. “Rising the New Heights with BIM.” Autodesk. Inc, (2012). www.autodesk.com/bim.
[vi] Zeljic, Aleksandar. “Shanghai Tower, Façade Design Process.” 2010 International Conference on Building
Envelope Systems and Technologies, Vancouver, Canada, (2010).
TAGS: Architectural Models Architecture Model BIM bim architecture BIM Implementation bim modeling
Design Software gensler In Depth list of tallest buildings list of tallest buildings in the world Shanghai
Shanghai Tower Tallest tallest building in the world Tallest buildings Tallest Buildings in the world Tallest Skyscraper
Tower world tallest building
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Home » Coffee Break » Case Study: BIM implementation in Shanghai Tower

Case Study: BIM implementation in Shanghai Tower

1. Record-breaker: ‘Shanghai Tower’ The World’s Second Tallest Building Completed in

2. Piercing the Sky – What is the Tallest Building in the World?

Courtesy of CTBUH – Photographer: Terri Meyer Boake.

Overview of BIM Implementation

Courtesy of Shanghai Tower Construction & Development.

Courtesy of Shanghai Tower Construction & Development

Shanghai Tower’s Geometry

Courtesy of CTBUH – Photographer: Tansri Muliani.

Courtesy of Shanghai Tower Construction & Development

2. Vertical Pro le:

Courtesy of Shanghai Tower Construction & Development.

Courtesy of Shanghai Tower Construction & Development.

Courtesy of Shanghai Tower Construction & Development.

Courtesy of Shanghai Tower Construction & Development.

Courtesy of Shanghai Tower Construction & Development

4 Historical Sites That Offer Free Online Virtual Tours

and Urban Habitat, (2014). www.ctbuh.org

Tower world tallest building

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