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Opening Day for the World Tallest Structure
The Burj Khalifa (formally known as the Burj Dubai) opened on January 4, 2010. Soaring to more than a half mile high (828 meters; 2,717 feet), the Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest man-made structure. The goal of the tower is not simply to be the world’s highest building; it’s to embody the world’s highest aspirations.
As with all super-tall projects, structural engineering challenges needed to be addressed and resolved. The architects and engineers at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, worked hand-in-hand to develop the building form and the structural system, resulting in a tower which efficiently manages its response to the wind, while maintaining the integrity of the design concept. It represents a significant achievement in terms of utilizing the latest design, materials, and construction technology and methods in order to provide an efficient, rational structure to rise to heights never before seen.
For more information about the structure system, architectural and structural design, construction sequence and technology, and other technical aspects, download the award* winning paper, “Engineering the World’s Tallest – Burj Dubai.”
*Structural Engineers Association of Illinois (SEAOI) Meritorious paper award for 2008. The article was originally published in the Council of Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) 8th World Congress Proceedings in 2008.
Photos courtesy of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP.
New High Performance Building Requirements Address Sustainability
The new PCA High Performance Building Requirements for Sustainability (HPBRS) add requirements for sustainability features and functional resilience to the minimum building code requirements of the IBC. This unique approach incorporates the three legs of sustainability – economic, societal, and environmental - at the building level, community level, and even beyond.
The HPBRS are compiled as mandatory language and uniquely packaged as amendments and appendices to the International Code Council International Building Code (IBC) for ease of adoption. The language addresses the key concepts of whole building design guidelines. The requirements are primarily intended for adoption by state and local jurisdictions but can be applied by designers recognizing the need for sustainable buildings to be functionally resilient.
More
information and to download a free copy of the new HPBRS.
Slender Column Design Based on ACI 318-08
With advancements in concrete technology and increased use of high-strength concrete, smaller column cross sections are being designed for a given load combination. Also, with new innovations in architectural and structural systems, the demand on columns that span vertically more than one traditional floor height is increasing. New materials, advanced methods of analysis, and innovative structural systems result in materials saving and optimum use of the building space, which leads to more sustainable design. Design of slender columns requires the understanding of the exact behavior of such structural elements.
For a refresher course on slender column design, review the latest issue of our Professional Development Series, Slender Column Design Based on ACI 318-08. Free continuing education credit is available by completing the quiz at the end of the article.
For more free refresher courses and continuing education credits from PCA click here.
spColumn Newly Upgraded
Newly upgraded to incorporate ACI 318-08, spColumn version 4.50 was developed with the user in mind. This new version has new features such as import/export of DXF files, nominal interaction charts, and significant interface enhancements focused on increasing productivity. spColumn investigates sections that are impossible to find on design charts or to solve by hand. It is widely used for the design and investigation of shear walls, bridge piers as well as typical beam and column framing elements in buildings and environmental structures.
spColumn supports ACI 318-08, including the complete rewrite of the provisions related to the slenderness effects, and CSA A23.3-04 reinforced concrete design standards. To learn more about spColumn and to download the fully functional evaluation version, click here.
More about StructurePoint’s reinforced concrete analysis and design software.
Seismic
Detailing of Concrete Buildings
This publication contains a comprehensive
summary of the seismic detailing requirements contained in Chapter 21
of Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete (318-05) and
Commentary (318R-05), which is adopted by reference in the 2006 International
Building Code.
PCA
Notes on ACI 318-08 Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete
with Design Applications
Tenth edition of this classic PCA publication has been updated to reflect
code changes introduced in the latest version of Building Code Requirements
for Structural Concrete, ACI 318-08, and Commentary, ACI 318R-08.
Simplified
Design: Reinforced Concrete Buildings of Moderate Size and Height
Learn timesaving analysis, design, and detailing
methods for reinforced concrete buildings. Methods presented are applicable
to concrete buildings of any size and height, and are particularly economical
for heights of one- to seven-stories.
ACI/PCA Simplified Design of Reinforced Concrete Buildings of Moderate
Size
One-day Seminar sponsored jointly by the Portland Cement Association and
ACI
Increase your design efficiency and reduce the time it takes to design
small to moderate size buildings by applying the design procedures that
you will learn at this seminar in accordance with ACI 318-08, IBC 2009,
and ASCE 7-05. More
information and registration.
Reinforced Concrete Design
Two-day Seminar sponsored jointly by the Portland
Cement Association and ACI
o If you want to learn the
latest ACI 318 building code requirements for structural concrete
design. |
o If you are designing concrete
now, but feel there must be a better way. |
o If you need to do some
concrete design and your skills are rusty. |
o If you did not take reinforced
concrete in engineering school but are now faced with designing
concrete structures. |
o If you are preparing for
the Professional Engineers’ or Structural Engineers’
exam. |
o If you need Professional
Development Hours to maintain your professional engineer status
(worth 15 PDHs) |
More information and registration.
Annual Building Professors' Seminar
August 2-4, Skokie, Ill.
In an effort to keep the concrete industry in touch with university professors of civil, structural, and architectural engineering, the Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute (CRSI), the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA), the Portland Cement Association (PCA), the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI), and the Post-Tensioning Institute (PTI) co-sponsor an annual Building Professors' Workshop. Since 1992, the seminar has been held every summer at PCA's Skokie, Illinois, headquarters. Sponsored by regional cement and concrete promotion groups, professors from around the U.S. travel to Skokie to attend this three-day workshop. More.
• National Concrete Masonry Association Annual Convention
March 17 – 21, San Antonio, Texas
• American Concrete Institute Spring Convention
March 21 – 25, Chicago, Ill.• University of Illinois 11th Annual Structural Engineering Conference
April 8, Urbana-Champaign, Ill.• 2010 Structures Congress
May 12 – 15, Orlando, Fla.
Portland
Cement Association
5420 Old Orchard Road
Skokie, IL 60077
847.966.6200 • Fax: 847.966.9666
email: info@cement.org
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