Burj Khalifa

www.burjkhalifa.ae

Industry–ME March/April 2014Industry–ME March/April 2014 www.industry–me.com

32 BURJ KHALIFA

Majesty and luxury in the

world’s tallest building

Described as both a ‘Vertical City’ and ‘A Living Wonder,’ Burj Khalifa, developed by Dubai-based Emaar Properties PJSC, is the world’s

tallest building and described as a ‘Global Icon’ by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, an honour bestowed on tall structures

only once in 10 or 15 years.

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Burj Khalifa 54 Burj Khalifa

Rising gracefully from the desert, Burj Khalifa honours the city with its extraordinary union of art, engineering and meticulous craftsmanship. At 828 metres

(2,716.5 feet), the 200 plus storey building has 160 habitable levels, the most of any tower in the world.

With real estate very much en vogue in Dubai at present, it therefore came as little surprise to learn that demand for residency at Burj Khalifa had seen prices soar in the early days of 2014.

The tower was inaugurated on January 4, 2010, to coincide with the fourth anniversary of the Accession Day of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum as the Ruler of Dubai.

Arguably the world’s most prestigious address, Burj Khalifa is responsible for a number of world-firsts. The tower became the world’s tallest man-made structure just 1,325 days after excavation work started in January 2004.

Burj Khalifa utilized a record-breaking 330,000 cubic metres of concrete; 39,000 tons of steel reinforcement; 103,000 square metres of glass; and 15,500 square metres of embossed stainless steel. The tower took 22 million man hours to build.

With a total built-up area of 5.67 million square feet, Burj Khalifa features 1.85 million square feet of residential space and over 300,000 square feet of prime office space. That is in addition to the area occupied by the Armani Hotel Dubai and the Armani Residences.

What was the legacy of this project for Hyder Consulting?

As the world’s tallest man-made structure, Burj Khalifa forms the centrepiece of the most prestigious urban development in Dubai.

Burj Khalifa represents engineering application at its finest and Hyder Consulting is very proud to add this project to its heritage of world-class construction feats.

What does 2014 hold in store for Hyder Consulting?We are an opportunity rich company so the focus is now on executing our projects well and serving our clients in the best possible way. Dubai is back and the recent Expo 2020 win has demonstrated the city’s revival and we really see that as a catalyst for further enhancement and recovery of the economy. Saudi Arabia offers huge potential for the future and we will continue our focus within this strategically important Country.

Hyder has a $305 million order book in the Middle East and that means the company is busy with its order book value growing 40.2 per cent in the March 2013 financial year.

What was the role of technology in this project?

Throughout the construction period, Hyder introduced technology, techniques and monitoring processes to improve the project’s sustainable credentials. There are also numerous unique and innovative MEP engineering applications in the Burj Khalifa, such as:

• Upper HV/LV substation: located on the 155/156 floors at well over 500 metres above ground – making this the highest substation anywhere in the world.

• Burj Khalifa’s connected load: in excess of 80MW, with a maximum demand of 46MW provided via twenty separate 11kV supply cables - making this the most complex HV service to a single building in the world.

• Hydraulic systems: Burj Khalifa operates on a three lift principle, with water pressures peaking at 35 bar. Such pressures are only normally associated with process/industrial design and not MEP design of buildings - the building’s hydraulic systems are totally unique.

• Solar collectors: Hyder introduced the largest solar collector field in the UAE to the tower, which will provide up to 25 per cent of its total hot water demand.

Geotechnical Design: Hyder was highly commended at the 2008 Ground Engineering Awards for its work on the Burj Dubai foundations.

The Environmental Impact Assessment provided by Hyder has contributed significantly to the optimum and sustainable design of the development.

MEP: There are numerous unique and innovative engineering applications in this building, which presented amazing challenges and resulted in “world first” solutions being created.

Hyder’s role as Design Adoption Consultant enabled the design to be extended to reflect international best practice, particularly in relation to slab deflections, high strength concrete and fatigue assessment.

Wind Engineering: The Burj Khalifa is one of the few man-made objects that extends beyond the boundary layer of the atmosphere and is subjected to a wind climate for which very little data was previously available. Hyder’s wind engineering expert liaised with wind tunnel consultants RWDI and Boundary Layer to derive a suitable wind climate for Dubai in general and in particular the Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai development.

Earthquake Engineering: In 2003, Hyder’s earthquake specialist instigated two independent site-specific seismic hazard assessments for the development.

Hyder was also responsible for the following elements of the Downtown Dubai development:

• Master planning and infrastructure design.• Water quality monitoring, filtration, sediment

monitoring.• Environmental impact assessment, ecology and

archaeology surveys, development of environmental impact mitigation options.

There were 12,000 workers on site at Burj Khalifa at any one time; 15,000 workers including the Downtown Dubai development. Over 125 Hyder employees were located on site.

What were the main challenges for this project and what expertise was Hyder Consulting able to bring?

Hyder worked very closely with the contractor Samsung-Besix-Arabtec to overcome the many construction and logistical challenges that were faced - from concrete mix designs, climb formwork, steelwork connection details and strand jacking of the final pinnacle section of the spire to curtain walling detailing and builders’ work provisions to ensure easier MEP installations - whilst still maintaining the architect’s design intent, and achieving a world class final product.

What does Hyder Consulting do and when was the company formed?

Hyder Consulting is a multi-national civil engineering consultancy headquartered in London and was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2001. The company’s footprint spans over 200 years. Our company’s history in the Middle East can be traced back to 1904 and this year we celebrate 110 years presence in the Middle East. We provide design and engineering consultancy advice to public and private sector clients across the property, transport, utilities, environment energy, and resources sectors. Hyder has almost 4,700 staff worldwide – over 1,450 are located in the Middle East.

Our iconic project portfolio includes Tower Bridge in the UK, Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia, Victoria Falls Bridge in Africa and of course Burj Khalifa – the world’s tallest man-made structure in Dubai.

How did Hyder Consulting get involved in the Burj Khalifa project?

Hyder was commissioned initially to design the infrastructure along the main boulevard of the Downtown Dubai development - but the scope rapidly increased, to include the whole site infrastructure and an on-site design team was created to work closely with the client, Emaar Properties and infrastructure contractor, Carillion.

What was your remit for this project?

Hyder led and worked with a world-class team comprising several hundred specialist design and construction consultants from around the globe to complete this iconic mega project – and ensure that it was designed and constructed to world class standards - breaking new technical ground on many occasions.Under UAE law, the Contractor and the Engineer of Record are jointly and severally liable for the performance of Burj Khalifa. Therefore, by adopting SOM’s design and as Engineer of Record, Hyder is legally responsible for the design of the tower.

Hyder Consulting Imad B Ghantous, P.E. BSc Msc CE, Managing Director - Property, discusses Hyder Consulting‘s involvement with the Burj Khalifa project.

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Burj Khalifa 9

representing the 196 countries of the world, it symbolizes the global collaboration that made Burj Khalifa a reality.

For the convenience of homeowners, the tower is divided into sections with exclusive Sky Lobbies on Levels 43, 76 and 123. There are state-of-the-art fitness facilities including Jacuzzis on Levels 43 and 76.

The Sky Lobbies on 43 and 76 both have swimming pools and a recreational room that can be utilized for special gatherings and receptions.

The Corporate Suites are located on the highest levels of the tower. They occupy 37 floors, with the top 3 floors merged into a single office. The entrance lobby is at the Concourse of the tower. In addition to valet parking, express lifts take office visitors directly to a lounge lobby at Level 123.

The world‘s first Armani Hotel Dubai opened doors to the world on April 27, 2010. From the room designs to the carefully selected textiles and fabrics, to the impeccable service, every aspect of the Armani hotel experience will bear the signature of fashion legend Giorgio Armani.

Armani Hotel Dubai targets connoisseurs, who value excellence, understated style and elegance. Offering 160 guest rooms and suites, restaurants

The tower offers luxurious recreational and leisure facilities including 4 swimming pools, excluding the pool in the hotel, lounges for home owners and office owners, health and wellness facilities, a public observation deck and At.mosphere, the world’s highest restaurant on Level 122.

Armani Hotel Dubai opened doors to the world on April 27, 2010, and is home to 8 unique dining experiences including Armani/Privé, an upscale lounge. The hotel additionally features the world’s first in-hotel Armani/SPA and retail offerings - Armani/Dolci, an elegant Italian sweets shop; Armani/Fiori for flower arrangements with a difference; and an Armani/Galleria boutique for fashion accessories from the Armani Privé collection.

The observation deck on Level 124, At the Top, Burj Khalifa, is a must-see attraction and offers breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding emirates. Connected to the tower are The Offices, a 12-storey annex of prime office space and The Club, a four-storey health and wellness centre.

Over 1,000 pieces of art by prominent International and Middle Eastern artists adorn the interiors of Burj Khalifa and the surrounding Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard. Many of the pieces have been specially commissioned by Emaar as a tribute to the spirit of global harmony.

With the opening of Armani Hotel Dubai and handover of homes in Armani Residences, and owners moving into The Residence and The Corporate Suites, Burj Khalifa is now a true living wonder.

Burj Khalifa is the venue for the Downtown Dubai New Year’s Eve celebration, an unprecedented global spectacle.

The world’s most prestigious address is home to a select few. With 900 residences including studios and 1, 2, 3 and 4-bedroom apartments, The Residence is designed for the connoisseur. The homes are spread over levels 19-108 of the tower, and residents have already moved in.

The lobby reception area features World Voices, an intriguing installation by renowned artist Jaume Plensa. Composed of 196 cymbals

ACROSS THE WORLDSHAPING CITYSCAPES

www.hyderconsulting.com

Hyder is an award winning multi-national design and engineering consultancy that has delivered a wide range of super-high rise structures worldwide.

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Witness and enjoy 360 degrees of unparalleled views of Dubai and beyond from the highest public observation terrace in the world, At the Top, Burj Khalifa. Explore the unique, interactive Burj Khalifa multi-media exhibits. Explore the history of Dubai aboard the 65-metre-long travelator. To experience all-round enjoyment, visitAt the Top, Burj Khalifa.

360˚ of enjoyment...

For more information please call us on 800 At the Top, or visit www.atthetop.ae to purchase your tickets today.

10 Burj Khalifa

of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) with Adrian Smith as consulting design partner.

The architecture features a triple-lobed footprint, an abstraction of the 6-petalled desert flower, Hymenocallis. The tower is composed of 3 elements arranged around a central core.

The modular, Y-shaped structure, with setbacks along each of its 3 wings, provides an inherently stable configuration for the structure and provides attractive floor plates for residential space. Twenty-six ‘helical’ levels decrease the cross section of the tower incrementally as it spirals skyward.

The central core emerges at the top and culminates in a sculpted spire. The Y-shaped floor plan maximizes views of the Arabian Gulf.

Four years on from its inauguration, Burj Khalifa continues to attract visitors and gasps – its enduring appeal is set to dominate the Dubai skyline for many decades to come.

and a spa, Armani Hotel Dubai brings to life the Stay with Armani promise, an exceptional lifestyle experience defined by the highest standards of aesthetics and service excellence.

Burj Khalifa has a variety of lifestyle amenities offering a myriad of choices for residents, guests and visitors. The recreational facilities and entertainment venues include luxurious swimming pools, exclusive residents’ lounge and a lounge for The Corporate Suites owners, serviced residences, a wellness facility and health club.

Moreover, residents can shop at Lafayette Gourmet, a gourmet and convenience store located within The Residences lobby or relax and unwind at the state-of-the-art fitness facilities and elegant meeting spaces located on the Sky Lobbies on Levels 43 and 76.

The contract to design the world’s tallest tower was awarded to the global leader in creating ultra-tall structures, the Chicago office

Burj Khalifawww.burjkhalifa.ae

1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid BlvdDubai,United Arab Emirates

Tel: +971 4 888 8124