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
Architects | Mar 16, 2022
James Hoban: Designer and builder of the White House
Stewart D. McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, chats with BD+C Executive Editor Robert Cassidy about James Hoban, the Irish draftsman and builder who convinced George Washington to let him design and build the White House.
Architects | Mar 16, 2022
Diébédo Francis Kéré named 2022 Pritzker Architecture Prize recipient
Diébédo Francis Kéré, architect, educator and social activist, has been selected as the 2022 Laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, announced Tom Pritzker, Chairman of The Hyatt Foundation, which sponsors the award that is regarded internationally as architecture’s highest honor.
Architects | Mar 10, 2022
Gyo Obata, FAIA, HOK Founding Partner, passes away at 99
Obata's career spanned six decades and included iconic projects like the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., and Community of Christ Temple in Independence, Mo.
AEC Tech Innovation | Mar 9, 2022
Meet Emerge: WSP USA's new AEC tech incubator
Pooja Jain, WSP’s VP-Strategic Innovation, discusses the pilot programs her firm’s new incubator, Emerge, has initiated with four tech startup companies. Jain speaks with BD+C's John Caulfield about the four AEC tech firms to join Cohort 1 of the firm’s incubator.
Architects | Mar 2, 2022
FGM Architects and LeMay Erickson Willcox Architects join forces
FGM Architects announced that LeMay Erickson Wilcox Architects, a 19-person architectural studio based in Reston, VA is joining their firm.
Architects | Mar 1, 2022
Alyson Steele Elected President and CEO of Quinn Evans
(2.25.22) Alyson Steele, FAIA, LEED AP, has been elected president and chief executive officer of Quinn Evans, a nationally recognized firm providing architecture, planning, interior design, landscape architecture, and historic preservation services. Steele has been with the firm since 1997 and previously served as executive vice president and chief design officer. She succeeds Larry Barr, FAIA, who will continue to serve on the board of directors.
Architects | Feb 28, 2022
JLL continues expansion in Southwest with acquisition of San Diego’s Gilliland Construction Management
JLL announced that it has completed the acquisition of Gilliland Construction Management, a leader in project and construction management services for life sciences, lab, retail, hospitality, industrial, multifamily, and office properties.
Codes and Standards | Feb 24, 2022
Most owners adapting digital workflows on projects
Owners are more deeply engaged with digital workflows than other project team members, according to a new report released by Trimble and Dodge Data & Analytics.
Multifamily Housing | Feb 24, 2022
First new, mixed-use high-rise in Detroit’s central business district in nearly 30 years opens
City Club Apartments completed two multifamily projects in 2021 in downtown Detroit including the first new, mixed-use high-rise in Detroit’s central business district in nearly 30 years.
| Feb 24, 2022
Signs of ‘Antiwork’ appear in the architecture industry
Reddit's r/Antiwork forum highlights the mounting pressures everyday workers face in a purely capitalistic society. AEC industry professionals are not immune to these pressures.
