11 Mar, 2023

How Structural Steel Helped The Majestic Architectures Around The World - Part 2

Structural steel has made a massive impact on the overall dynamics of construction by coming into the picture. Structural steel is solid and durable, and due to its efficiency, it has done wonders in the construction industry. Today Structural steel is a popular choice of architects, builders, and engineers, and it will be for some time from here on as well. 

As mentioned, Structural steel created some marvellous structures, including buildings that were the tallest in their times. We discussed the Empire state building and the Eiffel tower in the last part. In this part, let's explore other structures. 

The Willis tower (Sears tower)- 

Willis Tower is a famous skyscraper in Chicago, Us. This tower used to hold the title of the tallest building in the world for 25 years, after 1973 (the year of its completion), until the Petronas twin towers in Malaysia came into existence. 

To add more about Willis tower, it stands 442 m tall, has 110 floors with two additional beds, and was designed by Chicago-based firm Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill. Willis has a unique structure; the building's exterior walls are made of steel columns and beams, which create a series of interconnected tubes. This structure favours the formation, providing exceptional rigidity, stability, and high resistance to wind and wave loads. 

Willis also has the popular tourist attraction of Skydeck on the 103rd floor, where guests take a mesmerizing view of Chicago city. It also has an observation deck with a glass floor, allowing viewers to look straight down for a street view.

Willis has recently undergone a series of renovations that have improved the energy efficiency levels of the giant structure. It has got a green roof in today's date and is an environment-friendly structure. 

Here's how structural steel application exists with Willis tower

The Frame- Willis comprises 76000 tons of structural steel, which is enormous. This frame supports the tower's weight and provides the rigidity to withstand external forces. 

The tube-like structure: As mentioned before, this tower's Tube structure is a novelty feature. The tubes are made of a series of interconnected steel columns and beams that are set in a grid pattern. These tubes are spaced approximately 3.7 m apart, creating a structure of lines linked together by diagonal braces.

The sky deck: The deck on the 103rd floor is a beautiful creation supported by a steel frame that lets the wanderers have a fantastic view and a thrilling experience. 

The tower Atrium: The atrium of the building is supported by steel trusses that span the open space, allowing fresh, natural light to get in. This feature serves as the main entrance of the building and is aesthetic to the eyes. 

Burj Khalifa: 

Today, everyone very well knows Burj Khalifa. It is the tallest building in the world, which resides in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. To start, it is twice the height of the empire state building. It was designed by the same firm which built the Willis tower, Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill. It took six years to make, from 2004 to the official opening in 2010. 

It has the fastest elevators in the world, whose speed is 18m per second. Burj Khalifa possesses an excellent sustainable design, with a high-performance exterior façade, a condensate collection system, and a greywater recycling system. It is a mixed-used space with offices, residents, hotels, restaurants, and other amenities. 

Some interesting facts about Burj Khalifa to state: 

With 828 meters and more than 160 stories, Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world.

It is also the tallest free-standing structure in the world.

It also has the Highest occupied floor in the world. It also has an observation deck, the highest outdoor deck in the world. The Elevator of Burj Khalifa is the longest travel distance in the world.

The Design inspiration of the structure has been taken from a desert flower called Hymenocallis. 

Burj Khalifa has won various prominent awards, which include the council of tall buildings and Urban Habitat's best tall building award for the middle east and Africa in 2010. This marvellous structure is a global icon featured in numerous films, shows, and music videos. 

Here's the role of structural steel in Burj Khalifa: 

Structural arrangement: The whole Burj Khalifa structural system is based on a steel frame that supports the building. The structure of this building, which bears the weight of the building, was erected using cranes and other heavy equipment, comprising 31,400 metric tons of steel. 

Exterior covering: The Burj Khalifa exterior is clad in stainless steel and aluminium panels attached to the structure's steel frame using brackets and anchors. This cladding protects the building and gives it an appealing modern appearance. 

The Spire:  The Burj Khalifa features a steel spire that extends the building's height to a record-breaking 828 meters. The spire was constructed on the ground and then hoisted into place using a hydraulic jacking system, which required precise planning and execution. This steel spire is an architectural and engineering feat, showcasing the building's ability to push boundaries and redefine what is possible in high-rise construction. 

The Elevator pitch: The Burj Khalifa's elevator system, one of the building's most essential features, uses a steel support structure to transport passengers and cargo between floors. With some of the world's fastest elevators, safety and stability are of the utmost importance, which is why the steel support structure was chosen to ensure the elevators' safety and reliability. This steel support structure is critical to the building's functionality, allowing the Burj Khalifa to transport people and goods to different skyscraper levels efficiently.

To conclude

Structural steel is an essential tool in constructing Burj Khalifa and other prominent architectural creations. In the present day, structural steel has maintained its importance as a valuable and versatile building material crucial in modern construction. Its exceptional strength, durability, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness make it an optimal choice for various building applications. Furthermore, steel's swift construction capabilities and ability to assume different shapes and sizes further contribute to its continued relevance and widespread use in construction projects. 

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