1.

INTRODUCTION
Throughout the history of tall buildings, structural engineers have invented the means
to go higher. In the 1970s Fazlur R. Khans tube concept was a dramatic shift from
the traditional portal frame system used on such structures as the Empire State
Building. Later developments, including the core plus outrigger system, also provided
architects with the tools to design taller, more efficient buildings. However, the
resulting growth was gradual, each innovation marking a point on the progressive
scale of the tall building. The buttressed core is a different species. Permitting a
dramatic increase in height, its design employs conventional materials and
construction techniques and was not precipitated by a change in materials or
construction technology. The development of the buttressed core structural system led
to a paradigm shift in tall building design that brought a dramatic increase in the
height of buildings. In the 32 years between the completion of 1 World Trade Center
(1972) and Taipei 101 (2004), there was only a 22 percent increase in the height of
the worlds tallest building. In 2010, the Burj Khalifa claimed the title at 828 m,
eclipsing Taipei 101 by more than 60 percent. With its innovative buttressed core, the
tower represents a major leap in structural design, elicited by a change in the
approach to the tall building problem through an examination of scale.
A buttress is an architectural structure built against or projecting from a wall which
serves to support or reinforce the wall. Buttresses are fairly common on more ancient
buildings, as a means of providing support to act against the lateral
(sideways) forces arising out of the roof structures that lack adequate bracing. The
essence of the system is a tripod-shaped structure in which a strong central core
anchors three building wings. Buttressed core system is a solution to spread gravity
loads out from the centre and also use that to give improved lateral stabilization with
the ability to construct higher buildings. The design of a building with buttressed core
is a structure where the core is stabilized with outgoing wings. The central core,
providing torsional resistance, is attached with building wings, providing shear
resistance and prohibiting overturning moment by an increased moment of inertia.
Placement of smaller cores around stairs at ends of the wings can give an additional
moment of inertia. The wings wall could be formed as an elongated box instead of
one continuous piece given better torsional resistance. A virtual or direct outrigger
can be used to engage the perimeter columns, stabilizing each wing. If smaller shear
1

walls are placed orthogonally and connected to the wings the need for columns can be
abandoned. This paper will describe and demonstrate the use of the buttressed core,
the newest and most cutting edge design being used in the infrastructures of some of
the tallest and the tallest building in the world, these otherwise known as skyscrapers.
The infrastructures and designs of these buildings will be explained thoroughly as
well as the direction that these skyscrapers and modern buildings are heading for.
Further discussion will show the values of the known and proven advantages of this
innovation of the buttressed core. Its three wing design which extend out of the
central core and firmly anchor the skyscrapers will be described and told as well its
use in the future building of our cities most iconic landmarks. In this paper, the
buttressed core will be examined in detail, describing the different components and
parts which make up the buttressed core and the materials which go into making it
like the use of fly ash in the cement of the core (Sheath), describing in part how it
operates as a whole, making the worlds tallest skyscrapers more structurally sound
even at their ridiculous heights.

2. THE BUTTRESSED CORE SYSTEM

A buttressed core framing system is built around a strong central core, which is
further reinforced by shear walls or other rigid elements that radiate out from it, in a
manner similar to a tripod though not necessarily three in number . Buttressed core, is
a kind of three-winged spear that allows stability, viably usable space (as in not
buried deeply and darkly inside a massively wide building) and limits loss of space
for structural elements.

Fig. 2.1 The buttressed core system

The Tower Palace III introduced the engineering and architectural worlds to an
entirely new approach to building skyscrapers, known as the buttressed core structural
system. This structural system then evolved and extended its potential for incredible
building heights in the design and construction of the building that currently boasts
the title of tallest in the world, the Burj Khalifa. Permitting a dramatic increase in
height, its design employs conventional materials and construction techniques and
was not precipitated by a change in materials or construction technology. The essence
of the system is a tripod-shaped structure in which a strong central core anchors three
building wings. It is an inherently stable system in that each wing is buttressed by the
other two. The central core provides the torsional resistance for the building, while
the wings provide the shear resistance and increased moment of inertia. The
buttressed core represents a conceptual change in structural design whose
evolutionary development began with Tower Palace III, designed by Chicago-based
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM). The designers of the Burj Khalifa, a
sustainable building, utilized a number of techniques to reduce the buildings energy
consumption. The much-anticipated Kingdom Tower will also utilize the buttressed
core structural system to climb to a height of over 1,000 meters (exceeding the Burj
Khalifa by more than 100meters).The crux of the buttressed core structural system is
its tripod-shaped design featuring a sturdy central core surrounded by three building
wings. In this system, the wings are co-dependent and each is supported (buttressed)
by the other two. The torsional resistance for the building is supplied by the strong,
six-sided central core (or hexagonal hub). The three wings afford the shear resistance
and increase the moment of inertia, and as the building rises, each wing sets back in a
clockwise pattern. This tapering as the building rises is necessary to minimize the
wind effects and prevent the organization of wind vortices over the height of the
tower. The give-and-take between the core of the building and its wings are the key to
the structural system and allow for taller, more stable skyscrapers. The buttressed
core allows for these skyscrapers to go up tall and fast with enough usable floor space
to maximize clients chances of making a profit [3]. The buttressed cores design is
most prevalent and well recognized in the beautiful and extravagant building in Dubai
the Burj Khalifa (Web Buildings Directory). The Burj Khalifa offers a social impact
as well bringing in extra profit and much publicity to Dubai (Dowdey) Overall civil
engineering in the future is set to explode and people and cities want more beautiful

and taller buildings, the buttressed core allows for us to create these buildings of the
future and show engineers that next step in innovation.
2.1 CONSTRUCTING THE CORE
The buttressed core may seem to many to have a more simple design to its structure.
To engineers, the buttressed core is a thing of incredible ingenuity and there is much
more to what meets the eye when it comes to the recognizable, Y design. As
engineers, to us it is not what a piece of machinery or what a structure may look like
as a whole but more as to how the whole is made up of from the many different parts.
The buttressed core is something which is an incredible innovation as a whole but is
also something that is made up of many parts and without each and every part
accounted for the structure will fail, this is why they found it so important to mention
in their conference paper the actual construction of a buttressed core and what goes
into giving it such amazing structural quality.
One of the major components when it comes to constructing the buttressed core is the
actual cement used to make it. One of the interesting things about this structural
innovation is that it actually is not pure cement or concrete. What is used to make the
buttressed core is a newer and more cost effective way to make cement-like
substances known as fly ash. The development and use of mineral admixtures like fly
ash are becoming more common in the construction industry mainly due to the
consideration of a more cost-effective, energy saving, and the environmental
production and conservation of resources. There is even currently a study that is
looking at replacing cement in concrete more and more with the more flexural fly ash,
testing its behaviours in certain support beams and other structural uses. In the
buttressed core the fly ash is a key component and is even growing more popular in
the entire world of construction.
Another key component in the construction of the buttressed core is its intriguing
design. The buttressed core is designed in such a way that it makes it perfect for
constructing such amazingly tall heights. One of the major issues when it comes to
constructing buildings that challenge the heights of the tallest in the world is the
wind. At very tall altitudes the wind can be so strong at times that it causes the
structure itself to sway and this can be very dangerous if engineers do not use the
correct type of structures when building these huge buildings. For instance the Burj
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Khalifa that is known to all as the tallest building in the world, as stated earlier uses
the buttressed core for its amazing structural strength. This tri-axial design consists of
three tiers that are staggered throughout construction of each floor as the building gets
taller and taller. This design is the key to the building itself staying in that safe zone
where the building can sway with the wind but not to the point where it becomes a
dangerous risk. This three-tier design allows the wind to not hit one side directly or
head on, diverting the wind from the hitting the building straight on at any point.
2.2 HEXAGONAL HUB
Perhaps the most crucial aspect of the buttressed core structural system is its six-sided
center piece. This feature not only provides torsional resistance and prevents twisting
of the tower, it acts as an axle that encloses the elevators. The central core allows for
torsional resistance through corridor walls built of high performance concrete that
extends from the core down the axis of each wing. These corridor walls strategically
end in thickened hammer headwalls which lie perpendicular to length of the corridor
walls. The closed hexagonal core, a unique feature of the buttressed core system, acts
like a tube surrounding the building and helps to make it torsionally stiff. As
buildings get taller, they become more susceptible to twisting about their vertical axis.
The buttressed core system solves this problem by using the three building wings to
buttress (support) the center core, with the center core in turn allowing the wings to
be supported by each other. These wings make it harder for the entire building to twist
about its vertical axis. Thickened hammerhead walls located at the end of the
corridors running down through the wings also prevent the building from twisting
about its vertical axis (providing it with torsional stiffness) because of moments of
inertia. A large amount of concrete placed this far away from the center of the
structure results in large moments of inertia. This means that the structure not only
has large torsional stiffness but that it also has a very large lateral bending stiffness to
resist bending effects from lateral loads (such as wind).

Fig 2.2 Hexagonal hub

3. EVOLUTION OF BUTTRESSED CORE SYSTEM

Completed in 2004, Tower Palace III, located in Seoul, South Korea, promoted a new
standard in high-rise residential development. Its tripartite arrangement provides 120
degrees between wings, affording maximum views and privacy. Although Chicagos
Lake Point Tower set the architectural precedent for the residential high-rise, the
design of Tower Palace III revealed a new structural solution for the super tall
residential tower. Tower Palace III was originally designed at more than 90 stories, its
height supported by a Y-shaped floor plan. Because its architectural design called for
elevators within the oval floor plate of each wing, SOM engineers opted to connect
the elevators via a central cluster of cores( figure 3). In doing so, the hub became
the primary lateral system of the building.

Fig 3.1 Connection of elevators via central cores

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At the two upper mechanical floors, the perimeter columns also were engaged to
assist in resisting lateral loads by means of virtual outriggers (floor plates above and
below in conjunction with a perimeter belt wall). While not as effective as direct
connections, these virtual outriggers spared the builders the numerous connection and
construction problems typically associated with direct outriggers. Throughout the
design process, the building exhibited very good structural behaviour and performed
well in the wind tunnel, and it became obvious to the engineering team that the
structure could go much higher. However, because of zoning issues, the design of the
towers tallest wing was cut from 93 to 73 stories (the other wings were then elevated
to compensate for the loss of area). Despite the decrease in height, the project
provided the SOM team with the opportunity to explore a new approach to the tall
building problem. Given Tower Palace IIIs efficiency, the structural design team
inferred that, if a project had a sufficiently large parcel, this system could be used in
building at extreme heights. Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill (SOM), a prestigious
architectural and engineering firm based in Chicago, Illinois, designed the buttressed
core structural system for both the Tower Palace III and the Burj Khalifa. The firms
practice of having architects and engineers work together closely on projects seems to
have assisted in the conception of many of the firms greatest creations, including the
Willis Tower(formerly known as the Sears Roebuck Tower). William Baker, the head
structural engineer in SOM is recognized as the main engineer behind the creation of
the buttressed core structural system. The Tower Palace III, completed in 2004, was
originally planned to be a 320 meter, all-residential building in the Kangnam district
of Seoul, South Korea. When SOM undertook the project, the architects and
engineers were faced with the challenge of controlling the dynamic response of the
tower and managing its wind engineering aspects .The design team drafted three
different schemes for the building with the same total floor area and similar number
of apartment units. The third scheme, which was the shortest of the three options, was
eventually chosen as the final design.SOM created the Tower Palace III based on a set
of goals. These goals include: optimizing the tower structural system for strength
and stiffness, using gravity loads to resist lateral loads, and limiting the torsion on
the building. These goals were accomplished through the y-shaped structural system,
which was designed to maximize views from the tower and for the intake of natural
light. Engineers and architects then discovered that this shape was incredibly stable
and strong.
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Fig 3.2 Tower palace iii

3.1 LIMITATIONS OF THE TOWER PALACE III
Upon completion, the Tower Palace III became the tallest building in South Korea,
but it did not fulfill its height potential. Strict zoning issues in Seoul prevented SOM
from designing the 93 story building that had once been envisioned (the Tower Palace
now stands at 73 stories tall).Local residents and authorities also expressed concerns
over the buildings height and possible traffic congestion .Despite the Tower Palace
IIIs solid structural behaviour, SOM architects and engineers encountered issues with
the buildings torsional resistance. This lack of torsional resistance means that, as the
building grows in height, it will begin to twist along its vertical axis. Baker identified
this as a major problem in the design of skyscrapers and sought to invent a solution.

4. BURJ KHALIFA
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The idea for the tallest structure ever constructed in the history of mankind came to
William Baker while he was working with SOM. The difficulties and challenges that
arise while designing and building the tallest building in the world demand that
architects and engineers collaborate to push current analytical, material, and
construction technologies to new heights. Architects and engineers worked together
to alter orthodox systems, resources, and building methods to create the Burj Khalifa
in Dubai.

Fig 4.1 Geometry of Burj Khalifa

Bakers goal of the project was to design a building that reached great heights
without consuming a large volume of space while also resisting the forces of nature
in a simple way. He also was responsible for meeting owner Emaar Properties Public
Joint Stock Companys expectations. The Burj Khalifa needed to have enough width
to support itself and to be narrow enough to create economically viable real estate
for the client. The Burj Khalifa is the focal point of a large development also
containing a low-rise office annex, a two-story pool annex, and an adjacent podium
structure. Throughout the design process, SOM engineers made critical changes to the
Tower Palace III design that were essential to the evolution of the Burj Khalifas
buttressed core. The design of the towers central core relied upon close collaboration
on the part of SOM architects and engineers, and that multidisciplinary approach
successfully fit all of the towers elevators and operating systems within the core
while maintaining good structural behaviour. In contrast to the case of Tower Palace
III, Burj Khalifas central core houses all vertical transportation with the exception of
9

egress stairs within each of the wings. Each of the three wings forming the Burj
Khalifas buttressed core is on a 9 m module. As in Tower Palace III, the walls in each
wing of the Burj Khalifa were initially spread apart in such a way as to separate the
living components from the bath and kitchen components. This provided four
interlocking tubes, but the dimensions were much greater. This plan later proved
problematic because there were numerous doors in the structure and little flexibility
in unit layout. It was thus difficult to comply with Dubayy code requirements, which
dictate accessibility to natural light in the kitchen. As a result, the team embarked on a
series of studies to see if the central core could resist all of the torsional effects of the
building. Following a round of parametric studies carried out in the autumn of 2003,
it was clear that the central core had enough strength and stiffness to serve as the
buildings torsional hub. Also in 2003, the wing walls were adjusted so that the
primary walls now lined the corridors at the center of each wing, instead of
protruding into the units. Besides improving the efficiency of the units, this
adjustment improved the efficiency of the entire structure. The tower itself serves
mostly residential and office purposes, but also contains retail stores and a Giorgio
Armani hotel. The $1.5billion structure holds the title of tallest building in the world
in three categories measured by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.
These categories include: height to tip, height to architectural top, and height to
highest occupied floor. The Burj Khalifa measures 829.8meters to tip, 828 meters to
architectural top, and 584.5meters to highest occupied floor. It claimed these records
by beating out the Willis Tower (527 meters), Taipei 101 (508meters), and Shanghai
World Financial Center (474 meters), respectively. The record-shattering height of the
Burj Khalifa can be largely credited to its use of the buttressed core structural system
featuring high-performance concrete wall construction with a hexagonal hub and
three buttressed wings.

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Fig 4.2 Vertical transportation in central core

Upon further analysis, it was discovered that the results were more closely related to
the geometry and orientation of the tower than to the structural system. Therefore, the
dynamic properties of the structure were manipulated in order to minimize the
harmonics with the wind forces. Engineers were able to accomplish this by essentially
tuning the building as if it were a musical instrument in order to avoid the
aerodynamic harmonics that are residual in the wind. A key component of the Burj
Khalifas structural design was managing gravity. This meant moving the gravity
loads to where they would be most useful in resisting the lateral loads. Structural
engineers manipulated the towers setbacks in such a way that the nose of the tier
above sat on the cross-walls of the tier below, yielding great benefits for both tower
strength and economy. Engineers also employed a series of rules to simplify load
paths and construction. These included a rigorous 9 m module and a philosophy of no
transfers.
Several rounds of high-frequency force balance tests were undertaken in the wind
tunnel as the geometry of the tower evolved and as the tower was refined
architecturally, the setbacks in the three wings following a clockwise pattern (in
contrast to the counter clockwise pattern in the original scheme). After each round of
wind tunnel testing, the data were analyzed and the building was reshaped to
11

minimize the wind effects and accommodate unrelated changes in the clients
program. In general, the number and spacing of the setbacks changed, as did the
shape of the wings. The designers also noticed that the force spectra for certain wind
directions showed less excitation in the important frequency range when winds
impacted the pointed, or nose, end of a wing than when they impacted the tails
between the wings. This was kept in mind when selecting the orientation of the tower
relative to the most frequent directions of strong wind in Dubayy, which are from the
northwest, south, and east. The careful selection of the towers orientation, along with
its variant setbacks, resulted in substantial reduction of wind forces. By confusing
the wind, the design encourages disorganized vortex shedding over the height of the
tower (see figure 8). In order to have an efficient super tall building, it is best to use
all the vertical elements for both gravity and wind loads. In order to achieve this on
the Burj Khalifa, it was necessary to engage all of the perimeter columns of the
structure. Because of the towers extreme height, the virtual outrigger used on Tower
Palace III was replaced by a direct outrigger. In addition to engaging the perimeter for
lateral load resistance, the outriggers allow the columns and walls to redistribute
loads several times throughout the buildings height. This helps control any
differential shortening between the columns and the core. By the time the building
meets the ground, the loads in the walls are somewhat ordinary, and in contrast to the
case of many buildings in which the columns at the base are massive, most of the
Burj Khalifas base columns are relatively thin and only slightly thicker than those at
the top. The Burj Khalifas structural system was created with a conscious effort to
conform to and complement current construction technology. The goal was to use a
highly organized system with conventional elements that would provide a high
repetition of formwork. Initially the team contemplated a composite floor framing
system, as well as an all-concrete floor framing scheme. It was later decided that the
all-concrete scheme was more appropriate and economical. Although the towers
floor plate changes as the structure ascends, the segments near the core repeat
themselves for as much as 160 levels. As the loads accumulate from the top down, the
sizes of the structural elements are relatively constant since walls were added as the
loads accumulated.

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Fig 4.3 Typical floor plan

4.1 HEXAGONAL HUB
Clearly, the Burj Dubai has a much greater useable to un useable space ratio than the
hypothetical Willis Tower. Although this building has much more useable space, it
can only reach a smaller maximum height. The design that SOM created also
minimizes the effects of differential shortening (shrinkage), which is a major
consideration for very tall buildings. The design team addressed this issue by
changing wall thickness and column sizes on select features of the Burj Khalifa.
Outrigger walls scattered up the building provide equal gravity loads throughout the
building, minimizing differential creep movements [9]. Because shrinkage occurs
more quickly in thinner walls and columns, the perimeter column thickness mimics
the typical corridor wall thickness. The thickness of these perimeter columns is
determined by stress on the interior corridor walls. Overall, the building was designed
with different thicknesses and column sizes such that the concrete would shrink
uniformly throughout the building without distorting the shape of the tower.
4.2 NECESSITY OF THREE WINGS
The three wings of the Burj Khalifa allow for greater building height by buttressing
one another via the central core (hence the name buttressed core structural
system).The wings support the core against lateral loads, and as the height of the
building increases, one wing on each tier sets back in a spiralling pattern,
emphasizing the height of the tower. These setbacks are also aesthetically pleasing for
occupants of the tower because they maximize natural light and the number of rooms
13

with views. The wings were constructed such that the perimeter columns on each
floor lined up with the walls below them, providing a smooth load path. Setbacks
usually require transfer beams to pass gravity loads from floor to floor, but the Burj
Khalifa geometry allows for column loads to be transferred directly to the walls
below without transfer beams, which ultimately results in a more efficient building.
Throughout the Burj Khalifa, five mechanical floors are strategically placed about 30
floors apart. On each of these mechanical floors, outrigger walls attach the perimeter
columns with the interior wall system. This allows the perimeter columns to
contribute to the lateral load resistance, permitting all of the vertically placed concrete
to participate in resisting both gravity and lateral loads. These outrigger walls are only
placed on the mechanical floors because they would interfere with the usage of
functional floors.
4.3 WIND AT HIGH HEIGHTS
One of the biggest obstacles facing structural engineers in the design of skyscrapers is
wind. For very tall and slender structures, such as the Burj Khalifa, two major
influences on the structural design are the forces of wind and the motion caused by
these forces . Architects and engineers were aware that building a tower of great
height such as the Burj Khalifa would require understanding, taming, and working
with the forces of nature . Wind tunnel models were used to account for the cross
wind effects of wind induced vortex shedding on the building. Some of the wind
tunnel tests, such as the aeroelastic and force balance studies, were done with models
at a scale of 1:500 (although the pedestrian wind tests also used a model of scale
1:250). Despite the design teams awareness of the challenges presented by wind at
such great heights, the first wind tunnel results for the Burj Khalifa were poor. This
was, in part, due to an overestimation of the wind climate but mostly due to lack of
aerodynamic behaviour by the building. After each set of wind tunnel testing, the
design team altered the shape of the tower to confuse the wind and minimize the
effects of vortex shedding on the building. Setbacks were organized to change the
towers width at each setback. This prevents the wind vortices from becoming
organized because the building is constantly changing shape. The design team also
used gravity to counter the wind forces similar to the way one would spread his/her
legs in a strong wind for stability.

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High strength concrete was used in the Burj Khalifa, varying in strength between 80
MPa and 60MPa throughout the height of the building from bottom to top. There is a
232 m high steel structure in the upper part of the building, consisting of brace
elements and with self resistance against lateral and vertical loads, which is supported
by the central core.

Fig 4.4 Disorganised vortex shedding

4.4 LIQUEFACTION AND SEISMIC CONSIDERATIONS

Seismic activity is always a major concern in the construction of skyscrapers. In the
Uniform Building Code, Dubai is classified as zone 2a (moderate seismic activity).
This means that Dubais seismic activity is comparable to that of New York City and
Boston . Because of this low classification, seismic activity did not have a large effect
on the reinforced-concrete tower design, but it did direct the design of the steel spire
structure at the top of the Burj Khalifa which holds the communications and
mechanical floors. Soil liquefaction is also a potential issue with the construction of
skyscrapers. Soil liquefaction occurs when an applied stress causes solid soil to
temporarily behave as a viscous liquid. However, when potential of soil liquefaction
in the area was examined, it was deemed structurally irrelevant for the buildings
deep-rooted foundations .
What this means is that at such extreme heights the things experience on the surface
have to be magnified. The Burj Khalifa is immense in size and what this means is that
15

gravity affects it greatly pushing down on all parts of the incredible building, meaning
that to withstand such a large force of gravity the strength of the building in the
upward direction must be incredibly powerful. The upward force must be large
enough to withstand gravity so that the structure itself does not collapse in on itself.
The buttressed core allows for structures to become very rigid and give them the
strength vertically to resist the forces that cause it to collapse. This is directly
accredited to the design of the buttressed core where the three wings are attached to a
very strong central core. The central core is the key factor in giving the structure the
strength to withstand intense weight of gravity.
To be strong vertically as well as torsionally or otherwise the ability to resist twisting
as a result of winds. The Burj Khalifa was constructed in Dubai where the average
wind speed over fifty years has been just over twenty-two miles per hour. For the
Burj Khalifa to stand at a height where no other structure has ever been built it would
need to have a design where the resistance of the natural act to twist in the high winds
is fought against. The buttressed core is what allows the structure to stand at the
height of over 800 meters in the air . The three wings use each other to build that
strength. If one wing is feeing the force of the winds, the other two wings act as
supports to help keep it from twisting. This design is perfect to have the Burj Khalifa
stand at such a mind-boggling height without twisting on itself.
All these components of the buttressed core gives structures like the Burj Khalifa a
very efficient structure for the fact that the gravity load resistant system is utilized so
it can maximize its use in resisting the lateral forces like that of the incredible wind
gusts. On the top of the Burj Khalifa there is about a 230-meter tall spire and the
complete structure of the tower founded on a 3.7-meter thick reinforced concrete pile
supported raft foundation.

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Fig.4.5 Picture of foundation

Constructing the buttressed core involves very precise and exact measurements, like
every other part of a well bit structure it takes much time and effort to be able to
construct such an integral part of a skyscraper. Every step in the process of
constructing the buttressed core is a key to its success and holds all the answers to
how it allows such amazing structural power for these super skyscrapers that are
reaching new heights every day. Giving structures the amazing ability to both resist
the vertical force of gravity as well as having the lateral strength to resist the force of
the wind.
4.5 A LEADER IN SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
A sustainable building has the capacity to be maintained for a long period of time.
The Burj Khalifa was constructed with the future in mind. It is remarkable not only
because of its height, but also because of its integration of sustainable design. The
building employs many different energy and cost saving methods to remain
sustainable and more environmentally friendly. The design team for the Burj Khalifa
made extensive efforts to address the high energy consumption that is usually
associated with skyscrapers and cities. Currently, urban areas account for about sixty
percent of the worlds energy consumption. To minimize unnecessary energy
consumption, the Burj Khalifa utilizes a special building management system with
smart lighting and mechanical control. This system, created by Asea Brown Boveri,
Ltd., uses computer based systems to monitor and control electricity. The resulting
17

effect is a more efficient use of energy and a smaller environmental impact. To fulfill
the water heating needs of the buildings residents, the Burj Khalifa utilizes solar
power. 378 collector panels, each with an area of 2.7 square meters, lie on the roof of
the office annexes. These panels have the ability to heat 140,000 litres of water when
supplied with just seven hours of daylight. This is equivalent to 32,000 kilo watts of
energy per day. The building also employs other water-related sustainable practices.
The Burj Khalifa uses a massive condensate recovery system, one of the largest in the
world. This condensate recovery system collects water condensate from the air
conditioning system and diverts it to an irrigation tank located on-site. This prevents
the condensate discharge from becoming waste water and, in total, provides about 15
million gallons of supplemental water per year. The water collected is used for
irrigation of the landscape around the Burj Khalifa and is enough to fill 14 Olympic
sized swimming pools. This condensate recovery system reuses millions of gallons of
water each year, lowering the water-related expenses of the building and making it
more environmentally friendly. The air conditions at the top of the Burj Khalifa allow
for reduced energy consumption as well. Sky sourced ventilation uses air ventilation
at the top of the building to reduce the amount of energy consumed by air
conditioning, ventilation, and dehumidification. The air drawn in at the top of the
building is cooler and has a lower density and relative humidity than the air at the
bottom of the Burj Khalifa. These conditions are ideal for ventilation of buildings,
and so less energy is required to maintain comfortable conditions within the building.
Because of its sustainable design, the Burj Khalifa has lowered its energy
consumption impact on the world and is more environmentally friendly than a lot of
other skyscrapers. However, super tall buildings, such as the Burj Khalifa, still have a
huge impact on the environment, and so sustainable design will continue to be a
major factor in the future design of these buildings.

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5. LAS VEGAS TOWER

The design of Las Vegas Tower (Crown Las Vegas) marked the next step in the
evolution of the buttressed core. In early 2006, SOM began working on the design of
a 575 m hotel tower located on the Las Vegas Strip (see figure 9). As in its
predecessors, each of the towers three wings buttresses the other via a central core.
However, rather than stepped setbacks, Las Vegas Tower has a shape that changes in
elevation, causing the towers width to continually vary. In this way, wind vortices
never get organized. Furthermore, continual changes in the towers footprint required
the loads to be moved to other elements besides the wing walls. This was
accomplished by locating the stair at the end of the corridor(fig 5.2).

Fig 5.1 Las Vegas Tower

The concrete around the stair, somewhat like the chord of a truss, acts as a major
structural element but moves toward the centre of the building as it tapers at the top.
In this way it does not require the stair transfers that were necessary in the Burj
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Khalifa and permits a much smoother load transfer than a solution that relies on
setbacks. The stair core also provides for a large amount of structure placed near the
end of each wing, thereby significantly increasing the towers moment of inertia.
However, the system is similar to the Burj Khalifa in that it employs direct outriggers
connecting the perimeter columns to the interior core walls at each mechanical floor.

Fig.5.2 Stair at the centre of corridor

(The project was ultimately never built.) In 2009 SOM embarked on a design
competition for what is set to be the next worlds tallest building, Kingdom Tower, in
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. At more than 1,000 m, the mixed use towers elongated,
triangular shape is a direct descendant of the Tower Palace III, Burj Khalifa, and Las
Vegas Tower paradigm and is derived from an optimized structural form for strength
and wind performance. Referred to as the stayed buttressed core, this structural
system was developed from an extensive analysis of the construction history of its
predecessors and of the methods that were employed. SOM proposed two schemes
for this tower, one with columns and one without. The scheme with columns is
similar to that used for the Burj Khalifa: columns of the perimeter blade type located
in line with interior transverse core wall elements. Like their predecessors, these
columns required linkage to the core via direct outriggers, although distributed link
beams also were considered. Early in the design process, it was realized that there
was an opportunity to create the next generation of the buttressed core and to

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eliminate these columns and, with them, the outriggers, thereby facilitating
construction and increasing efficiency. A rigorous study was conducted to determine
the optimum wall geometry with respect to system efficiency and stiffness.

Fig 5.3 Wall geometry analysis

Thus, the column-free scheme was born. Like the system considered in 2003 for the
Burj Khalifa, this system used a central structural core with short transverse walls that
continue into each of the three wings, supporting cantilevered floors and a columnfree perimeter. Stairs with surrounding walls are located at the end of each wing and
scale back a nominal amount at each level to establish the buildings taper, thereby
eliminating any setbacks.

Fig 5.4 Cantilever floors

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The tripartite floor geometry, in combination with a shallow lease span, produces a
breathtaking structure of unencumbered space that in its height and panoramic views
realizes the full potential of the buttressed core concept. Because of the amazing
stiffness of this refined structural system, SOM engineers were able to scale the
system to achieve a much taller building using virtually the same concrete quantities
quantities per square meter as in the Burj Khalifa, which is already very efficient.
This new structural system also eliminates the need for outriggers and perimeter
columns and is easily constructed within a standardized formwork system, thus
greatly simplifying and accelerating construction. Tapering as they rise, the
symmetrical internal core elements are sized to maximize their footprint and allow the
building to move loads efficiently to the ground while shortening the construction
schedule through the elimination of perimeter columns, complex outrigger trusses,
and similar transfer elements.

6. CONTROVERSIAL ETHICS AND DISADVANTAGES OF

SKYSCRAPERS
As buildings grow in size, so do the number of ethical controversies that accompany
this size. Higher buildings typically require larger bases. Bases for skyscrapers
(which typically stand in cities) require large plots of land and cause the destruction
of the neighbouring urban fabric. These structures also darken cities by casting
large shadows and making sunlight less accessible at street level. Perhaps the most
pressing ethical controversy stemming from skyscrapers is the safety of the people
inside of them. Very limited safety protocols can be made for a building as tall as the
Burj Khalifa. Is it practical to expect a timely and calm evacuation from the top floor
of a mile-high building in the case of a fire? An evacuation plan more efficient than
calmly using the stairs needs to be developed for skyscrapers so that the lives of the
residents and occupants of these buildings are no longer at great risk. The first canon
of the Civil Engineering Code of Ethics states that engineers shall hold paramount
the safety, health, and welfare of the public and shall strive to comply with the
principles of sustainable development in the performance of their professional
duties. The question for engineers is no longer how high can a building be
constructed, but how high can it be constructed safely for its occupants. Since the
Twin Towers fell on September 11, 2001 in New York City, there has been an even
greater stigma surrounding the topic of skyscrapers. Because of their large number of
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occupants and often iconic status, skyscrapers can be targets for terrorist attacks. The
events of September 11, 2001 directly affected SOM itself by preventing a kickoff
meeting for a 160 story building (which would have become the tallest building in the
world at that time). The project was postponed and then altered to reach a smaller
maximum height of only 92 stories. With taller buildings also come much higher
prices. Construction costs of skyscrapers increase exponentially as the building grows
in height. Baker estimates that for a building that has the same footprint but twice as
high, the cost of every square foot becomes somewhere between four and eight times
as much. A major issue with taller skyscrapers is transportation. More floors mean
longer waits for elevators and longer elevator shafts. More effective transportation
systems in skyscrapers need to be developed to address this issue.

7. THE FUTURE OF THE BUTTRESSED CORE STRUCTURAL

SYSTEM
SOM and Baker made history with the innovation of the buttressed core structural
system, and the competition to build the tallest building in the world continues. The
idea of a central core and three wings revolutionized the way that skyscrapers are
structured and altered the approach that many engineers take when designing a
building. Adrian Smith, an architect and former Design Partner at SOM, worked
closely with Baker on the Burj Khalifa. Smith is one of the architects behind what is
expected to become the worlds tallest building in 2018. In 2009, Prince Alweed bin
Talal of the Saudi royal family invited eight design firms to submit designs for the
tallest building in the world. The aim for the design was to represent Saudi Arabia as
a global icon. The submission by Smith and his colleague at Adrian Smith + Gordon
Gill Architecture (AS+GG) was chosen as the winner of the competition. The
Kingdom Tower, to be located in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is expected to be over 1,000
meters tall (172 meters taller than the Burj Khalifa). The skyscraper will stand at the
heart of a 57 million square foot development and will contain a Four Seasons Hotel,
apartments, office space, and the worlds highest observatory. The Kingdom Tower
shares the same buttressed core structural system with the Burj Khalifa, but architects
and engineers made alterations to the design to accommodate for height, wind
climate, and the clients wishes. The wings of the Kingdom Tower will not setback in
the way that the wings of the Burj Khalifa do. The Kingdom Towers wings will be
tapered rather than stepped as they ascend toward the sky. For a more dynamic
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appearance, each will terminate at a different angle. Like the engineers and architects
at SOM during the design process for the Burj Khalifa, the design team for the
Kingdom Tower focused on minimizing the effects of wind on the skyscraper.
Because of the structures unique shape, the structural engineers on the project are
working with the wind consultant to conduct extensive wind tunnel tests on the
building. Engineers believe that the concave curvature of the sides of the Kingdom
Tower will help to alleviate the effects of wind on the skyscraper.

8. CONCLUSION
Beginning with the Tower Palace III, then expanding its potential with the Burj
Khalifa, and now reaching even greater heights through the Kingdom Tower, the
buttressed core structural system has forever altered the design of skyscrapers.
Sustainable design, such as that seen in the Burj Khalifa, must continue to be used to
make skyscrapers more environmentally friendly and less energy consuming. From
1972 to 2004, the world saw only a 22 percent increase in the height of the worlds
tallest building. Upon its inauguration on January 4, 2010, the Burj Khalifa became
the tallest building in the world (surpassing the previous title holder by over 60
percent). This massive jump in building height cannot be overlooked by the
engineering community. Bakers y-shaped structural system is the future of designing
skyscrapers and may be the key to reaching unfathomable building heights. The
buttressed core structural system has, without a doubt, revolutionized the structure
and design of skyscrapers throughout the world.
The evolution of the buttressed core traces the development of a simple yet powerful
structural idea. This idea was developed into an appropriate and successful system for
each of the buildings described here. With each building, this system was further
refined, reflecting both its flexibility and its potential. The buttressed core has
evolved into a system that truly incorporates the ideals of structural efficiency,
constructability, and architectural function and makes it possible to produce buildings
of great height.

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REFERENCES
[1]

W. F. Baker. (2010). Higher and Higher: The Evolution of the Buttressed

Core. Civil Engineering. (Print Article). pp. 58-65.

[2]

World Buildings Directory. Buttressed Core Structural System for Burj

Khalifa.

(Online

Article).

http://www.worldbuildingsdirectory.

com/project.cfm?id=26 18
[3]

Blum, Andrew. "Engineer Bill Baker Is the King of Super stable 150-Story
Structures." Wired Magazine 27 Nov. 2007: n. pag. Web.

[4]

Abdelrazaq, Baker, Chung, Pawlikowski, Wang, and Yom. Integration of

Design and Construction of the Tallest Building in Korea, Tower Palace III,
Seoul, Korea. 10 Oct. 2004. South Korea, Seoul.

[5]

Baker, William, James Pawlikowski, and Bradley Young. "Reaching toward

The Heavens."Civil Engineering Mar. 2010.

[6]

Baker, William. "Engineering an Idea: The Realization of the Burj Khalifa."

Civil Engineering.

[7]

"Burj Khalifa Facts." Skyscrapercenter. Council on Tall Buildings and Urban

Habita, n.d. Web. 07 Mar. 2013.

[8]

Bollinger, Peter. The Buttressed Core. Digital image. Wired Magazine. N.p., 27
Nov. 2007

[9]

Baker, William, Stanton Korista, and Lawrence Novak. "Engineering the

World's Tallest - Burj Dubai." Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat
(2008).

[10] Burj Khalifa Typical Floor Plan. Digital image. Access Science. Silver Chair,
2010. Web.
[11] Helms, Jeremy. "Header Menu." Industry Tap. N.p.,

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