Visvesvaraya Technological University

“Jnana Sangama”, Belagavi 590018

TECHNICAL SEMINAR – 18CVS84

PRESENTATION ON
“THE WORLD’S TALLEST BUILDING BURJ KHALIFA”
Presented by:
Mr. Dhanush J.S. (1DB19CV005)
8th Semester
Under the Guidance of
Ms. MANJULARANI P
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

DON BOSCO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Kumbalagodu, Mysore road, Bengaluru-74
2022-2023
1

2022-2023
BURJ KHALIFA

2
Fig.1.Burj Khalifa
Source:www.istockphoto.com
 CONTENTS

• INTRODUCTION
• LITERATURE SURVEY
• OVERVIEW OF THE TOPIC
• CONCLUSION
• REFERENCES / BIBLIOGRAPHY

3
 INTRODUCTION
• Burj Khalifa known as Burj Dubai prior to its inauguration,
is a skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and is
currently the tallest structure in the world, at 828 m (2,717
ft).
• Construction began on 6th January 2004, with the exterior
of the structure completed on 31st December 2009.

Fig.2.Burj Khalifa, the tallest skyscraper in the world

4

Source : www.mirror.com
• The building starts at a height of 828m (2716 feet) and has 163 floors.
• The design of burj khalifa was inspired by the hymenocallis flower, a
regional desert flower.
• The construction of burj khalifa required approximately 3,30,000
cubic meters of concrete,39,000 metric tons of steel
reinforcement ,1,03,000 square meters of glass and 15,500 square
meters of embossed stainless steel.
• It is supported by 194 bored piles, each 1.5 meters in diameter and up
to 50meters deep in the ground.
• The construction uses several technologies, including a high strength
concrete that was used in the foundation and the building’s core walls,
and a double –deck elevator system that can travel at speeds of up to
40 miles per hour.
• The building is part of the new 2 km (490-acre) flagship
development called Downtown Dubai at the 'First Interchange' along
Sheikh Zayed Road, near Dubai's main business district.
• The tower's architecture and engineering were performed by
Skidmore, Owings and Merrill of Chicago, with Adrian Smith as
chief architect, and Bill Baker as chief structural engineer. 5
 • The primary contractor was Samsung C&T of South Korea. The total
cost for the project was about US$1.5 billion; and for the entire
"Downtown Dubai" development, US$20 billion.

Architect –
Adrian Smith

Structural Engineer –
Bill Baker

Developer –
Emaar Properties

Fig.3.Adrian Smith
6
Source: www.famous-architects.org
 “ A tall tower would not only give the master
plan an identity , but would also become the
identity for EMAAR and the country of
dubai.”

- Adrian smith

Fig.4.Burj Dubai 7

Source: Timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Architectural Height –
828 m (2717 ft)

Tip Height – 829.8 m

(2722 ft)

Top Floor – 584.5 m

(1918 ft) (Level 154)

Observatory – 555.7 m
(1823 ft) (Level 148)

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Fig.7.dazzling light , Burj Khalifa
Source:unplash,com
 LITERATURE SURVEY
Sl. Title of the Authors of Publication Inference
No. paper paper
1 Effective project Abraham O. A IRE  Ever since its establishment,
management in Entrepreneurship Journals Burj Khalifa has greatly
contemporary Department, volume contributed to the society and
developments Moscow 03, Issue economy of Dubai. People
University for 02, 2019 across the globe paid great
Industry and attention to the skyscraper and it
Finance became one of the most famous
tourist attractions in the world.
 After a thorough review and
analysis of this project, the Burj
Khalifa management was able to
cope and finish the project
successfully. With the combined
effort of countless architects,
designers, engineers, and
workers all under the guidance
of a competent Project Manager,
the successful completion of the
Burj Khalifa project created
what is known today as the 9
Tallest Building in the World— a
shining crown jewel of Dubai,
Sl. No. Title of the Authors of Publication Inference
paper paper
2 Burj khalifa D.S. Rajendra Internationa  The successful completion of the
construction Prasad, Sr. l journal of BurjKhalifa tower is mainly
and quality QA/QC research in attributed to the adoption of latest
control . Projects engineering construction technology,
Manager, and construction materials and Auto-
Azmeel technology climbing formwork in addition to the
Contracting Volume: excellent Project Quality Plan, which
Company, 05Special encompasses Logistics plan,
Kingdom of issue : Equipment Plan, Spire Erection plan
Saudi Arabia. 20ACCE :R and consistently adhering to
EDECON- Inspection Test plans for materials,
2016 equipment, and work inspections.
 The BurjKhalifa Tower becomes an
objective evidence of „Quality Icon‟,
which demonstrates the construction
of an Ultra High skyscraper which
meets all the technological and
constructional challenges and stands
as a benchmark for future
construction of super ultra-high
skyscrapers.
10
Sl No Title of the paper Authors of Publication Inference
paper
3 Validating the dynamics Ahmed CTBUH  The survey and SHM
of burj khalifa. Abdelrazaq, Journal programs developed for
Executive Issue Burj Khalifa have
Vice 02,2011 pioneered the use of
President, these concepts as part
Samsung of the fundamental
C&T design concept of
Corporation building structures and
will be benchmarked as
a model for future
monitoring programs
for all critical and
essential facilities.
 Advancements in
computer and IT
technologies,
innovative
advancement in fiber
optic sensors,
nanotechnologies,
dynamic monitoring
devices, new GPS
system technologies 11
and wireless
STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS

• Foundation
• Podium
• Exterior Cladding
• Structural System
• Spire
• Mechanical Floors
• Elevators & Lifts

Fig.6.Burj Dubai tower heights 12

Source: civilengineering bible.com
Foundation
• The tower foundations consist of a pile-supported raft.
• The solid reinforced concrete raft is 3-7 m (12 ft) thick and was
poured utilizing C50 (cube strength) self-consolidating concrete
(SCC).
• The foundation is made of reinforced concrete and is 50 meters
deep.

Fig .7. tower foundation 13

Source: www.civilarcs.in
• The superstructure is supported by a large reinforced concrete
mat, which is in turn supported by bored reinforced concrete
piles.
• The design was based on extensive geotechnical and seismic
studies.
• The mat is 3.7 meters thick, and was constructed in four separate
pours totaling 12,500 cubic meters of concrete.
• The 1.5 meter diameter x 43 meter long piles represent the largest
and longest piles conventionally available in the region.
• A high density, low permeability concrete was used in the
foundations, as well as a cathodic protection system under the
mat, to minimize any detrimental effects form corrosive
chemicals in local ground water.

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Podium
• The podium provides a base anchoring the tower to the ground,
allowing on grade access from three different sides to three
different levels of the building.
• Fully glazed entry pavilions constructed with a suspended
cable-net structure provide separate entries for the Corporate
Suites at B1 and Concourse Levels, the Burj Khalifa residences
at Ground Level and the Armani Hotel at Level 1.

15
Fig.8.Podium
Source : www.protenders.com
Exterior Cladding

• The exterior cladding is comprised of reflective glazing with

aluminum and textured stainless steel spandrel panels and
stainless steel vertical tubular fins.
• Close to 26,000 glass panels, each individually hand-cut, were
used in the exterior cladding of Burj Khalifa.
• Over 300 cladding specialists from China were brought in for the
cladding work on the tower.
• The cladding system is designed to withstand Dubai's extreme
summer heat, and to further ensure its integrity, a World War II
airplane engine was used for dynamic wind and water testing.
• The curtain wall of Burj Khalifa is equivalent to 17 football
(soccer) fields or 25 American football fields.

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Structural System
• In addition to its aesthetic and functional advantages, the
spiraling “Y” shaped plan was utilized to shape the structural
core of Burj Khalifa.
• This design helps to reduce the wind forces on the tower, as well
as to keep the structure simple and foster constructability.

Spire
• The crowning touch of Burj Khalifa is its telescopic
spire comprised of more than 4,000 tons of structural
steel.
• The spire was constructed from inside the building
and jacked to its full height of over 200 meters (700
feet) using a hydraulic pump.
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Elevators & Escalators
• Burj Khalifa will be home to 57 elevators and 8 escalators The
building service/fireman's elevator will have a capacity of 5,500 kg
which is approximately 42 passengers which will be the world's
tallest service elevator and the speed of the elevator speed up to
40mph(64km/h).
• Burj Khalifa will be the first mega-high rise in which certain
elevators will be programmed to permit controlled evacuation for
certain fire or security events.
• Burj Khalifa's Observatory elevators are double deck cabs with a
capacity for 12-14 people per cab. Traveling at 10 meters per
second, they will have the world's longest travel distance from
lowest to highest stop.
• The elevators use a special double-decker design that allows for
increased capacity without sacrificing speed. They also use a high-
tech control system that allows for precise leveling and smooth ride
quality. 18
 Burj Khalifa VS Jeddah tower
1.Foundation: The foundation of the Burj Khalifa is a concrete and steel mat,
with thickness varying between 3.7 meters to 4.6 meters, and is supported by 192
bored piles. The foundation of the Jeddah Tower, on the other hand, consists of
270 bored piles, each having a diameter of 1.5 meters and depth of up to 110
meters.
2.Materials: The Burj Khalifa's structure is primarily made of reinforced
concrete, with a steel frame at the top to support its antenna. The Jeddah Tower's
structure, on the other hand, is made of high-strength reinforced concrete and
steel, with the building's core made of reinforced concrete to provide greater
stability.
3.Wind Resistance: Both buildings have advanced wind resistance technology to
withstand strong winds at great heights. However, the Jeddah Tower's design is
specifically optimized for wind resistance and features aerodynamic spirals and a
sloped exterior that helps to reduce wind loads.
4.Construction time: The Burj Khalifa took approximately six years to complete,
from 2004 to 2010, while the Jeddah Tower is still under construction and its
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completion date has been delayed several times.
 Burj Khalifa plumbings and sanitary
arrangements

1. Water supply: The building's water supply comes from Dubai's municipal water
network and is stored in a 250,000-gallon (946,000-liter) tank on the 43rd floor.
The water is then pumped to a series of smaller tanks on each floor, where it is
distributed to the individual units.
2. Waste water: The building's waste water is collected in a central collection tank,
which is then pumped out of the building and transported to a sewage treatment
plant.
3. Water pressure: The building's plumbing system is designed to maintain a
consistent water pressure throughout the building, even at the highest floors. This
is achieved through a combination of gravity and pressure booster pumps.

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4. Water conservation: The Burj Khalifa has implemented a number of
water conservation measures to reduce its overall water consumption.
These include low-flow fixtures, waterless urinals, and a graywater
recycling system that collects and treats wastewater from the building's
showers and sinks for reuse in its cooling towers.
5. Maintenance: Due to the building's height and complexity, the plumbing
system requires specialized maintenance and repair techniques. For
example, plumbing technicians use ropes and harnesses to access the
building's exterior pipes and valves for repairs and maintenance.

Overall, the plumbing system in the Burj Khalifa is a crucial part of

its infrastructure, allowing its occupants to access water and waste services
at great heights. Its advanced technologies and conservation measures
serve as a model for sustainable and efficient building design.

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Structural analysis and design
• The center hexagonal reinforced concrete core walls
provide the torsional resistance of the structure similar to a
closed tube or axle.
• The center hexagonal walls are buttressed by the wing
walls and hammerhead walls, which behave as the webs
and flanges of a beam to resist the wind shears and
moments.

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Fig.9.structural analysis
Source : newn.cam.ac
 Methodology
• Slip-form construction: Slip-form construction is a technique used to build tall
structures, in which a large concrete core is constructed and then gradually raised up
using a set of hydraulic jacks. This method was used to construct the Burj Khalifa's
core, which extends the full height of the building.
• High-strength concrete: To support the weight of the building, the Burj Khalifa was
constructed using high-strength concrete, which has a compressive strength of up to
12,000 pounds per square inch. This allowed the building to be constructed with thinner
walls and smaller columns than would have been possible with conventional concrete.
• Post-tensioning: Post-tensioning is a technique used to reinforce concrete by applying
tension to steel cables after the concrete has been poured. This technique was used
extensively in the construction of the Burj Khalifa's foundation, which is the largest and
deepest foundation ever constructed.
• Wind Engineering:The Burj Khalifa's height and location made it particularly
susceptible to high winds. To ensure the building's stability, the design team
incorporated a range of wind engineering features, including a Y-shaped plan, which
reduces wind load by channeling wind around the building, and a series of dampers,
which reduce the building's swaying motion during high winds.

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 Concretes
• The concrete used in the construction of the Burj Khalifa is a high-strength, low-
permeability mix that was specifically designed for the project. The concrete mix had
a compressive strength of up to 14,000 psi (96 MPa) and was formulated to meet the
building's unique requirements, including its high-rise height and extreme temperature
changes.
• The specific mix design of the concrete used in the Burj Khalifa project has not been
disclosed publicly, as it is proprietary information owned by the project's contractors
and suppliers. However, it is known that the concrete mix contained a combination of
high-strength Portland cement, fine and coarse aggregates, and chemical admixtures.
• The chemical admixtures used in the concrete mix were added to enhance its
properties, including its workability, durability, and strength. These admixtures
included superplasticizers, which are used to increase the fluidity of the concrete mix
without compromising its strength, and set retarders, which are used to slow down the
rate of setting and allow the concrete to be transported and placed over long distances.
• The high-strength concrete used in the construction of the Burj Khalifa was a critical
component of the building's structural system, providing the necessary strength and
durability to support the tower's immense weight and withstand the extreme
environmental conditions of the desert region where it is located. 24
 Load Analysis
• In the case of the top of the Burj Khalifa, where the spire and communication
equipment were installed, a high-capacity crane was used to lift the heavy
components into place.
• The crane used for this task was a luffing jib crane, which is a type of crane that has
a long horizontal arm that can be adjusted in length and angle to lift loads vertically.
• The luffing jib crane used for the Burj Khalifa project had a maximum capacity of 25
tons and was mounted on the building's uppermost steel section, which was designed
specifically to support the crane's weight and provide a stable platform for its
operation.
• To lift the spire and other heavy components into place, the crane was operated by a
highly skilled team of workers who carefully maneuvered the crane's arm to position
the components precisely.

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Fig.10.1.luffing jib crane
Source :www.civilarcs.com
 Fig.10.2.Luffing jib crane
Source :www.britania.com
• The lifting process required careful planning and coordination to ensure the
safety of the workers and the integrity of the building's structure.
• Overall, the use of cranes was a critical part of the construction process for
the Burj Khalifa, allowing the workers to lift and assemble the building's
massive steel structure with precision and efficiency.
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 Materials Used To Construct Burj Khalifa
1. Reinforced concrete: Reinforced concrete was the primary building
material used in the construction of Burj Khalifa. The building's
foundation is 50 meters deep and is made of reinforced concrete.
2. Steel: Steel was used to reinforce the concrete in the Burj Khalifa's
superstructure. The steel was also used to create the building's spire and
other elements that required structural steel.
3. Aluminum: The exterior cladding of the Burj Khalifa is made of
aluminum. The aluminum panels were chosen for their lightweight
properties and durability.
4. Glass: Glass was used extensively in the Burj Khalifa's exterior
cladding, including the spire. The glass used in the building is of high
quality and can withstand extreme temperatures.
5. Stone: The Burj Khalifa's interior features several types of high-quality
stone, including marble and granite. These materials were chosen for
their aesthetic value and durability.
Other materials: Other materials used in the construction of the
Burj Khalifa include concrete masonry units, gypsum, and ceramic tiles.
All of these materials were chosen for their durability, strength, and
aesthetic appeal, and they were carefully selected to meet the unique27
requirements of the building's design and function.
 RECORDS

• Tallest free standing structure:829.8mt

• Building with the most floors:163
• World’s highest elevator installation.
• World’s longest travel distance elevators:504mt
• World’s tallest structure that includes residential
spaces
• World’s highest installation of an aluminium
and glass façade:512mt
• World’s highest nightclub:144th floor.
• World’s highest restaurant:122th floor.

Fig.11.Burj Dubai tower heights

28

Source :www.tripoto.com
 CASE STUDY
recent case studies specifically  on the Burj Khalifa. However, there
• As of my knowledge cut-off date in September 2021, there were no

have been ongoing maintenance and upgrades to the building since its
completion in 2010.
• In 2020, it was reported that the Burj Khalifa's management was
upgrading the building's lighting system to energy-efficient LED
lights. The upgrade was expected to reduce the tower's energy
consumption by up to 80%.
• In 2019, the Burj Khalifa installed a new observation deck on its 148th
floor, called "At the Top, Burj Khalifa Sky." The new observation
deck offers visitors an even higher view of Dubai and the surrounding
areas.
• In terms of maintenance, the Burj Khalifa's exterior requires regular
cleaning due to the dusty desert environment. The cleaning process
involves using specialized equipment and cleaning materials to clean
the aluminum and glass exterior of the building.
• The Burj Khalifa continues to be an impressive engineering and
architectural achievement, and its ongoing maintenance and upgrades
29
ensure that it remains a world-renowned landmark.
 CASE STUDY
Background: The Burj Khalifa is a skyscraper located in Dubai, United Arab
Emirates, and was completed in 2010. It is the tallest building in the world,
standing at 828 meters (2,716 feet) tall with 163 floors. The construction of Burj
Khalifa started in 2004, and it was opened to the public in 2010. The building was
designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, an American architectural firm.

Construction: The construction of Burj Khalifa was a challenging task due to its
unique design and the extreme weather conditions in Dubai. The foundation of the
building is 50 meters (164 feet) deep and is made of reinforced concrete. The
construction team had to pump 45,000 cubic meters (1.59 million cubic feet) of
concrete in a continuous 24-hour pour to complete the foundation. The tower’s
superstructure is made of reinforced concrete and steel. The steel was used to
support the tower’s spire and was placed in segments using cranes. The exterior of
the tower is covered with aluminum and glass panels.

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Design: The design of Burj Khalifa was inspired by the geometries of Islamic
architecture and the form of a desert flower, Hymenocallis. The building
consists of three elements: a central core, a spire, and wings. The central core
houses the elevators, mechanical and electrical systems, and stairwells. The
spire is the tallest part of the building and houses communication and
broadcasting equipment. The wings are located on each side of the central
core and are sloped back to reduce wind loads on the building.

Impact: The Burj Khalifa has had a significant impact on Dubai's economy
and has become a major tourist attraction. The building is home to offices,
residential apartments, a hotel, restaurants, and observation decks. The
building has also set a new standard for skyscrapers, inspiring other architects
and engineers to push the limits of building design and construction.

Conclusion: The construction of Burj Khalifa was an impressive feat of

engineering and architecture. The building's unique design and innovative
construction techniques have set a new standard for skyscrapers. The tower
has become an iconic symbol of Dubai and a major tourist attraction.
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 Challenges faced during the construction of Burj Khalifa and
their remedies
• Soil condition -The soil condition in the area was sandy and unstable,
which made it difficult to lay the foundation. To overcome this, engineers
developed a special foundation system that involved digging a massive hole
and pouring concrete around steel casing.
• Wind – The building is located in a region where wind speeds can reach up
to 120km/h. To overcome this the building’s architects designed the tower
with a unique three-wing shape that helps to reduce wind loads on the
structure.
• Material Transport- The building required a massive amount of materials,
including steel, concrete and glass to be transported to site. To overcome
this, the construction team built a specialized system of cranes and
elevators that could transport materials and workers quickly and efficiently.
• Temperature- The region where the Burj Khalifa is located experiences
extreme temperatures, with highs of up to 50degree C. To overcome this,
the building’s design includes a cladding system that helps to reduce solar
heat gain, while the building’s cooling system uses condensate water 32from
the air conditioning system to irrigate the surrounding landscape.
 CONCLUSION
• More than just the world's tallest building, Burj Khalifa is an
unprecedented example of international cooperation, symbolic beacon of
progress, and an emblem of the new, dynamic and prosperous Middle East.
• Through the use of advanced technology and a skilled team of
professionals ,the challenges were successfully over come, resulting in
creation of one of the world’s most iconic building.
• It is also tangible proof of Dubai's growing role in a changing world. In
fewer than 30 years, this city has transformed itself from a regional center
to a global one.
• This success was not based on oil reserves, but on reserves of human talent,
ingenuity and initiative.
• It is the tallest man- made structure in the world, Race for the next tallest
building is on.

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 REFERENCES

1. Effective project management in contemporary developments.

Abraham O. A Entrepreneurship Department, Moscow University
for Industry and Finance. IRE Journals volume 03, Issue 02(2019).
2. Burj Khalifa – Construction and quality control.D .S. Rajendra
Prasad, Sr. QA/QC Projects Manager, Azmeel Contracting
Company, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. International journal of
research in engineering and technologyVolume: 05Special issue :
20ACCE :REDECON- (2016).
3. Validating the dynamics of burj khalifa . Ahmed Abdelrazaq,
Executive Vice President, Samsung C&T Corporation. CTBUH
Journal Issue 02,(2011). 34
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