The Burj Khalifa is part of an extraordinary 500 acre development called Downtown Dubai. The tower’s design is derived from patterning systems embodied in Islamic architecture, and also takes inspiration from the harmonious structure of the Hymenocallis plant, which is native to the region.
This iconic project breaks many records while overcoming the greatest of challenges and technical difficulties, not least of which are the wind forces dominating the structural design of the tower, the logistics of moving men and materials at extreme heights, and construction of the building envelope.
Addressing the environmental and technical challenges
As with any construction in the Middle East, Dow Corning’s technical experts were confronted with testing and specifying products that are able to withstand the rigors of high temperature, ultra-violet light, seismic activity and inclement weather conditions including sandstorms and high winds. In addition, large areas of the curtain wall, which in total is equivalent in size to 17 soccer fields, are positioned at extreme height, which in turn, brings a new set of technical challenges.
Key Participants
Adrian Smith, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill — Architect
Far East Aluminum, Hong Kong Arabian Aluminum, UAE — Structural Glazing Fabricators
White Aluminum, UAE — Insulating Glass Fabricator
Samsung Engineering & Construction — Main Contractor
Emaar Properties — Developer
Solving the pressure build-up problem
A total of 103,000 square meters of glass was used in the cladding panels, which are incorporated into a total facade area of 132,190 square meters. These advanced cladding panels maximize resistance against heat transmission from the sun and save energy through the use of sophisticated engineering techniques, which include high performance reflective glazing.
The unitized panels were interlocking on site and up to two stories tall. Being positioned at such high elevations, the risk of pressure buildup within the insulating glass units was alleviated through the design specification and Dow Corning 3362 Silicone Insulating Glass Sealant, was used as the secondary perimeter seal. Silicone application was carried out by White Aluminum Enterprise, who is a member of Dow Corning® Quality Bond—an initiative which provides technical training and support, designed to achieve excellence in quality control, quality assurance and standards of workmanship.
Products
Dow Corning 993 Silicone Structural Glazing Sealant
Dow Corning 3362 Silicone Insulating Glass Sealant
Dow Corning 798 Clean and Coldroom Silicone Sealant
In addition, Dow Corning 993 Silicone Structural Glazing Sealant was specified to bring additional secondary support of the insulating glass units, which were mechanically attached to the frame as the primary support. And, for sealing the exclusive bathrooms within the prestigious apartments, Dow Corning 798 Cold and Cleanroom Silicone Sealant was specified.
Click here to view a short animated presentation about how Dow Corning products and support helped Burj Khalifa become a reality.
Or, to learn more about the Dow Corning products featured in this case study, as well as the many other proven materials for the construction industry, please visit us here. To speak to your nearest Dow Corning representative, visit dowcorning.com/ContactUs. +
Related Stories
| Oct 12, 2010
Building 13 Naval Station, Great Lakes, Ill.
27th Annual Reconstruction Awards—Gold Award. Designed by Chicago architect Jarvis Hunt and constructed in 1903, Building 13 is one of 39 structures within the Great Lakes Historic District at Naval Station Great Lakes, Ill.
| Oct 12, 2010
Full Steam Ahead for Sustainable Power Plant
An innovative restoration turns a historic but inoperable coal-burning steam plant into a modern, energy-efficient marvel at Duke University.
| Oct 12, 2010
From ‘Plain Box’ to Community Asset
The Mid-Ohio Foodbank helps provide 55,000 meals a day to the hungry. Who would guess that it was once a nondescript mattress factory?
| Oct 11, 2010
HGA wins 25-Year Award from AIA Minnesota
HGA Architects and Engineers won a 25-Year Award from AIA Minnesota for the Willow Lake Laboratory.
| Oct 11, 2010
MBMA Releases Fire Resistance Design Guide for metal building systems
The Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) announces the release of the 2010 Fire Resistance Design Guide for Metal Building Systems. The guide provides building owners, architects, engineers, specifiers, fire marshals, building code officials, contractors, product vendors, builders and metal building manufacturers information on how to effectively meet fire resistance requirements of a project with metal building systems.
| Oct 11, 2010
Rhode Island is the first state to adopt IGCC
Rhode Island is the first state to adopt the International Green Construction Code (IGCC). The Rhode Island Green Buildings Act identifies the IGCC as an equivalent standard in compliance with requirements that all public agency major facility projects be designed and constructed as green buildings. The Rules and Regulations to implement the Act take effect in October 2010.
| Oct 8, 2010
Union Bank’S San Diego HQ awarded LEED Gold
Union Bank’s San Diego headquarters building located at 530 B Street has been awarded LEED Gold certification from the Green Building Certification Institute under the standards established by the U.S. Green Building Council. Gold status was awarded to six buildings across the United States in the most recent certification and Union Bank’s San Diego headquarters building is one of only two in California.
| Oct 6, 2010
Windows Keep Green Goals in View
The DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory has almost 600 window openings, and yet it's targeting LEED Platinum, net-zero energy use, and 50% improvement over ASHRAE 90.1. How the window ‘problem’ is part of the solution.
| Oct 6, 2010
From grocery store to culinary school
A former West Philadelphia supermarket is moving up the food chain, transitioning from grocery store to the Center for Culinary Enterprise, a business culinary training school.
| Sep 30, 2010
Luxury hotels lead industry in green accommodations
Results from the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s 2010 Lodging Survey showed that luxury and upper-upscale hotels are most likely to feature green amenities and earn green certifications. Results were tallied from 8,800 respondents, for a very respectable 18% response rate. Questions focused on 14 green-related categories, including allergy-free rooms, water-saving programs, energy management systems, recycling programs, green certification, and green renovation.
