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Overview
Reaching for the sky
On January 4th, 2010, the Burj Khalifa surpassed the Taipei 101 as the world's tallest building in the world.
Already an icon, the Burj Khalifa stands at an awe striking 828 meters and, in so doing, sets a new height standard for buildings.
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Services
- Wind climate
- Cladding loads
- Structural loads
- Thermal comfort
- Pedestrian comfort
- Structural fatigue
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Benefits
Improved knowledge of local wind conditions: At ground and upper levels, played key role in helping orient the building and consequently reduce wind loads.
Optimized cladding design performance: Limitations of applicable building codes were overcome through wind tunnel testing.
Substantial reduction in wind forces: An aerodynamically refined shape was developed that literally “confused the wind”.
Eliminated need for supplementary damping: Combination of refined shape and building orientation produced accelerations within normal comfort criteria.
Reduced risk: Spire fatigue analysis confirmed that wind induced loading would not impact the spire negatively.
Improved thermal comfort: Recommendations made for shade structures at various ground level locations.
Pedestrian comfort improved: Screens, parapets and trellises were developed to improve pedestrian comfort at various outdoor terrace levels.
User safety increased: Wind tracking equipment was recommended to allow owners of units opening to a terrace to have actual wind information to warn of high wind speeds. Motor assisted terrace doors recommended to limit wind impacts. -
Resources
Consulting in the science of buildings, structures and environment
RWDI
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