Petronas Twin Towers

Petronas Twin Towers

Mateusz Gryglak

The Petronas Towers

are twin skyscrapers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. According to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat

(CTBUH)'s official definition and ranking, they were the tallest buildings in the world from 1998 to 2004 and

remain the tallest twin towers in the world. The buildings are a landmark of Kuala Lumpur, along with nearby Kuala

Lumpur Tower.

Basic Information• Architect: Cesar Pelli and Associates

• Client: Kuala Lumpur City Centre Holdings• The development of the Petronas Twin Towers begun in 1990,

and was completed in 1996• 88 storey office towers, with a connecting sky bridge• Tower one construction team: Led by Robert Pratt – T1

Pinnacle Team – Hazama Corp.• Tower Two and skybridge construction team: Led by Jon

Dunsford – T2 Pinnacle Team – Samsung C&T and Kukdong Engineers & Construction

Basic Information• Estimated to build in 8 years, built in 6 years. Total cost: 1,6

billion $• Estimated to cost $700,000 each day of construction (about

8 years- $2 billions) thus, came under budget

The driver for the project was to build the tallest building, this was supported by the Malaysian Government, to boost their standing within the world

Prime minister had a huge impact during the design stage of the two structures

In 1990 planning begun, while in 1991 Cesar Pelli won the design for the towers

The Twin Towers were assigned to two separate contractors, one for each tower; Samsung C&T and Hazama Group. This was to promote competition

Scope• Two 88 story towers with, a connecting bridge• The sky bridge connecting the two structures was also

designed to act as a emergency escape in the case of terroristic attacks and fires

• Pinnacles on top of the towers – design to represent islamic culture

• The use of glass windows• Strive for the tallest building and originality

Time

• The construction was estimated to take 8 years, however there was an eight month delay

• It was completed in 6 years, two years under what was predicted

• It was vital that the building was constructed to the management plan, as it would cost $700,000 per day after the deadline

Planning• The Construction site was chosen: Kuala Lumpur Race Track

Cesar Pelli’s designs for the towers were rejected by the Prime Minister, as they weren’t „Malaysian enough”, meaning that they didn’t represent Islam sufficiently

• The Prime Minister begun to re-design the floor plan for the building, changing it to two interlocking squares, creating a shape of eight-pointed stars, which symbolize the islamic principles of „unity within unity, harmony, stability, and rationality”

• During the planning stage the cost estimation is determined. The Malaysian budget only allowed for 6 years of construction

• Additionaly, the planning stage is the final „green light” for the project to commence

Execution

• During the execution stage, the scope and schedule are identified and determined

• The schedule allowed for 4 days of construction per floor, it initially took 8 day, they had to construct uninterrupted, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

• Construction began in early 1993

Execution• A site establishment is conducted during this stage, however,

the engineers discovered that there had never been a proper analysis of the site, the site came to a standstill

• Geologist looked for bedrock, but found that the site was on declayed limestone and on the edge of cliff

• The site was proposed to be moved 60 meters onto the softer ground, were they could build their own bedrock consisting of concrete

• The sky bridge connecting the two towers was design for emergency purposes, such as a terrorist attack, fires, and other emergencies

Constrains

• The not suitable bedrock (foundation)• A lack of steel• The concrete was not suitable, too soft• They had to create a new form od concrete

that acted the same as steel; strong with a degree of flexibility

• Flooring was time consuming

Issues during construction

• Issue One – The foundation slab If the concrete dried unevenly, the slab would crack,

thus seriously weaken the ability to support the building above. Therefore, they decided to pour the concrete all at the once, scheduling concrete trucks to arrive every 2,5 minutes for 52 hours, without a break

Issues during construction

• Issue Two – The weather The Malaysian weather is susceptible to torrential

rain, this is also problematic to the slab, as the concrete can get too wet, and become ruined. They covered the entire slab with canvas, the equivalent to 56 circus tents

Closing

• During the final stage of construction the pinnacles were constructed and placed on top of the towers, completing the record for the tallest tower

• Construction was completed in 1996, therefore reaching the 6 year deadline, with days to spare

Sources: Pictures and informations

• http://www.worldfortravel.com/2013/01/14/petronas-twin-towers-malaysia/

• http://www.kiat.net/towers/reality.html• http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ospMzvVIPl0/T6Jhq

f7t1BI/AAAAAAAAAHE/3PgggM0kqE4/s1600/A012-00571_Heavy_reinforcement_in_concrete_columns_for_the_two_Petronas_towers_during_construction_in_Kuala_Lum.jpg

Sources: Pictures and informations

• https://prezi.com/weeiw2lccw68/the-petronas-twin-towers-project-lifecycle/#

• http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-01/fireworks-explode-above-petronas-towers/3754088

Thank you for your attention