Burj Dubai Analysis

Introduction

Burj Dubai, also known as Burj Khalifa, is the world's largest skyscraper ever built. Located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, along the northeastern part of the Arabian Peninsula, Burj Dubai has drawn a significant amount of attention over the recent years. Standing 828 meters or an equivalent 2,717 feet, this building in an engineering phenomenon. The design of this multi-purpose building derives from patterning systems used in Islamic architecture. The idea behind its shape incorporates both cultural and historical elements from the surrounding regions. Its ‘Y' shape or triple-lobed footprint was inspired by the flower, Hymenocallis. The tower is composed of three elements surrounding a common center or buttressed core. The buttressed core results in a rigid structure, stable both laterally and torsionally. The building is developed in several tiers decreasing in cross sectional area moving towards the tip of the building. This step-like design allows for column alignment creating smooth load paths as well as a reinforcement against the wind preventing sway.

The total cost of the Burj Dubai was approximately $1.5 billion. The intention of this building was to be a multipurpose building functioning as a place of residency as well as a place of work. Shown in the Appendix, Figure 1 is a floor plan layout of the building.

Soil Composition/Profile

Burj Dubai is geographically located on the Arabian plate adjacent to the Iranian Ford Belt where the Arabian Gulf is located. The geologic composition of the ground is greatly attributed to the deposits of marine settlement resulting from the fluctuation of the Arabian Sea levels. To be certain of the ground conditions, there were several tests done in order to determine the soil profile.

The site investigation was carried out in four phases. The four phases were designed to test the soil using several different methods. Each phase was designed to specifically test a certain component of the soil. The phases were as follows:

Phase 1 (main investigation): 23 boreholes, in situ SPT's, 40 pressure meter tests in 3 boreholes, installation of 4 standpipe piezometers, laboratory testing, specialist laboratory testing and contamination testing – 1st June to 23rd July 2003

Phase 2 (main investigation): 3 geophysical boreholes with cross-hole and tomography geophysical surveys carried out between 3 new boreholes and 1 existing borehole – 7th to 25th August, 2003

Phase 3: 6 boreholes, in situ SPT's, 20 pressure meter tests in 2 boreholes, installation of 2 standpipe piezometers and laboratory testing – 16th September to 10th October 2003

Phase 4: 1 borehole, in situ SPT's, cross-hole geophysical testing in 3 boreholes and down-hole geophysical testing in 1 borehole and laboratory