Project Overview
The Burj Khalifa stands as the world’s tallest building and required a highly durable structural design capable of meeting demanding long-term performance expectations. The project incorporated advanced concrete corrosion protection measures to ensure structural reliability throughout its 100-year design life.
Application
MCI® 2005 was incorporated into the concrete mix design for the podium structure.
The building sits on a concrete and steel podium supported by 192 piles, each descending more than 50 meters (164 feet).
A total of 45,000 m³ of concrete was used in the foundation system, with a total weight exceeding 110,000 tonnes (121,254 US tons).
Why MCI® Was Chosen
EMAAR Properties engaged GHD to review the proposed design and evaluate material durability needed to meet the 100-year design life. After a detailed review of multiple technologies, MCI® 2005 was selected as an additional layer of protection for the substructure, which faces exposure to harsh groundwater conditions. The groundwater at the site contains more chloride than seawater as well as other contaminants, making corrosion protection a critical requirement.
Conclusion
Burj Khalifa’s construction involved 330,000 m³ (431,500 yd³) of concrete, 55,000 tonnes (60,627 US tons) of steel rebar, and 22 million man-hours to complete. The building is designed to accommodate up to 35,000 people at any given time and is engineered for a 100-year design life.